SOCIEAL SECURITY OFFICE STRESSES EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS SERVICE

I hope our efforts to provide efficient and courteous service is obvious to y~ou when you visit your Social Security Office. It is your office and we work for you. We cannot always tell you what you want to hear, but you should feel welcome.

You may conduct your social security business with any office. Offices in the Cape Girardeau District are located in Cape Girardeau, Kennett, Flat River and Sikeston. Other offices in this area include Poplar Bluff, MO and Carbondale and Cairo, IL. You may telephone, write or visit the office of your choice.

The Social Security toll free number is 1-800-772-1213. The Missouri toll free Medicare number is 1-800-392-3070. The Illinois toll free Medicare number is 1-800-642-6930.

Social Security Office employees provide information about social security and related programs, make referrals to other agencies, conduct interviews necessary to issue social security cards and assist people in filing claims for monthly benefits. Monthly payments may be made to retired workers and their families, to survivors and to disabled workers and their families. We also take claims for Supplemental Security Inc~ome Payments and enroll people in the Medicare Program.

We do not make disability determinations. We help you complete the application. Social Security contracts with state governments to collect medical evidence and make disability decisions.

The Social Security Ad~ministration does not run the Medicare Program. Medicare is managed by the Health Care Financing Administration through contracts with insurance companies. The insurance companies make Medicare payments. We do enroll people in Medicare and issue Medicare cards.

Providing information about Social Security is one of our most important duties. I appreciate the Southeast Missourian's assistance in helping us keep you informed. I hope the information in this supplement will answer your questions. If not, call, write or visit us. We will be happy to hear from you. We are located at 339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Our telephone number is 314-334-5281.