SSA Serves People with Limited English Proficiency

SSA Serves People with Limited English Proficiency

Social Security & You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

The Social Security Administration strives to deliver great customer service with helpful information for everyone. This includes improving access for underserved communities. We aim to reduce language barriers and increase access to Social Security programs, services and benefits. If you are a person with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), SSI has the resources available to help you in your preferred language. We encourage you to learn about the resources that are available to serve LEP communities.

What resources are available?
We offer publications in languages other than English. Our non-English publications and other resources at ssa.gov/multilanguage are available in more than 12 languages. The multilanguage website also lists resources to support you in your preferred language.

We provide benefit information in Spanish at SeguroSocial.gov that includes: 

  • Retirement
  • Disability
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Our free interpreter services are available, by phone and in person, in more than 200 languages. These services are accessible by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a local Social Security office and asking for an interpreter in your preferred language.  

Diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. We want to ensure an inclusive environment for everyone we serve. Our Language Access Plan affirms our commitment to increase access to benefits and services for people who prefer a language other than English. To learn more, we encourage you to visit ssa.gov/site/languages.

About the author

Brandon P. Smith is the author of Northeast Ohio Thrive’s Social Security & You blog. He is a Social Security public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. A Cleveland native, he joined the SSA in 2003. He is the primary contact for media relations, outreach, and presentations for the agency in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. In addition to other communications awards, Brandon received a Deputy Commissioner Citation from Social Security’s Office of Communication in 2015 for his outstanding public affairs support of the agency’s national communication initiatives.

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