Some Covid-19 Tidbits From SSA

     I found these recently added items on Social Security's Covid-19 website:

... I received financial assistance under the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Will this affect my Supplemental Security Income payment?

Date: June 1, 2020

We do not consider Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund financial assistance as income or a resource for SSI purposes. Receipt of this assistance will not affect your SSI payment. ...

Can I enroll in Medicare?

Date: June 2, 2020

If you already have Medicare Part A and wish to sign up for Medicare Part B under the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to a loss of employment or group health coverage, please complete form CMS 40-B, Application for Enrollment in Medicare - Part B (Medical Insurance) along with the CMS L564-Request for Employment Information and gather proof of employment, Group Health Plan (GHP), or Large Group Health Plan (LGHP).

You have three options to submit your enrollment request under the Special Enrollment Period. You can do one of the following:

• Go to Apply Online for Medicare Part B During a Special Enrollment Period and complete CMS-40B and CMS-L564. Then upload your evidence of Group Health Plan or Large Group Health Plan.
• Fax your forms to 1-833-914-2016.
• Mail your CMS-40B, CMS-L564, and evidence to your local Social Security field office.

Note When completing the CMS-L564

• State on the form “I want Part B coverage to begin (MM/YY)”
• If possible, your employer should complete Section B.
• If your employer is unable to complete Section B, please complete that portion on behalf of your employer without your employers signature and submit one of the following forms of secondary evidence:
• income tax form that shows health insurance premiums paid;
• W-2s reflecting pre-tax medical contributions;
• pay stubs that reflect health insurance premium deductions;
• health insurance cards with a policy effective date;
• explanations of benefits paid by the GHP or LGHP; or

• statements or receipts that reflect payment of health insurance premiums. ...