Many people who were not born in American call the United States home today. Just like through our country’s history, many people from different countries and cultures set off for America for a better life. Many of these people knew no or very little English. This obstacle should not prevent anyone from obtaining their rights as U.S. citizens. One of the rights of a U.S. citizen is to apply for Social Security disability benefits if they become unable to work due to impairments. Accessing government benefits, and especially Social Security benefits, can be difficult for anyone, but especially for people who do not speak English well, but there are resources out there.
Claimants who apply for Social Security disability benefits, and who have to go to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), can feel overwhelmed trying to present a case for disability if they do not speak English. Fortunately Social Security provides interpreters for people who don’t speak English, or who speak little English and would benefit from an interpreter at the hearing.
Social Security is attempting to become more accessible for people who don’t speak English and recently held its first ever Spanish Facebook Live event.
Below is Social Security’s policy on interpreters:
Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to providing fair and equitable service to the American public, regardless of an individual’s ability to communicate effectively in English.
We recognize that using qualified interpreters, including bilingual staff who can communicate directly with claimants in their primary language, efficiently facilitates our processes, deters fraud, and assures that we do not disadvantage individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).
Disability determination services (DDS) will provide an interpreter (free of charge) to any individual requesting language assistance, or when it is evident that such assistance is necessary to ensure that the individual is not disadvantaged.
NOTE: DDS will not require individuals needing language assistance to provide their own interpreters.
Individuals have the option of using their own interpreter, such as a family member, friend, or third party, if the interpreter meets SSA criteria as a qualified interpreter. For more information regarding qualified interpreter, see DI 23040.001B.3.
The DDS must first review the claims folder for documentation of a qualified interpreter approved by the field office (FO) prior to obtaining information about the individual’s interpreter, see DI 23040.001C.1. For information on documentation requirements when using an interpreter, see DI 23040.001G and DI 23040.001H.
A minor child (under age 18) cannot serve as a qualified interpreter due to the nature and complexities of the disability determination process. For more information regarding when a minor child may assist with interpretation, see DI 23040.001E.5.
Special handling procedures apply to claims for LEP individuals, see DI 23007.005C, DI 22510.016A and DI 28075.005C.6.
Last month, Social Security hosted its first Facebook Live event in Spanish. Titled “Get to Know Your Social Security Benefits,” this live chat took place on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 7 p.m. ET. During the broadcast, Social Security employees discussed the Social Security program and explained the “Five Steps Toward Your Financial Security”.
You and your clients can view our Spanish Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/segurosocial. We also archive our Facebook Live events at www.youtube.com/socialsecurity.
