Messages from Mayor Annette Iafallo

Attention all second ward of Electric Ave side streets. There are approximately 750 homes without power.

I have been in contact with National Grid and they are confident they will have power restored shortly.

Thank you for your patience.

STORM UPDATES: RESUMPTION OF ALTERNATE PARKING & REGULAR GARBAGE/RECYCLE PICKUP SCHEDULE

Thanks to great snow removal work completed over the past several days, the city of Lackawanna will resume the following activities:

* ALTERNATE PARKING

Resumes TODAY, Sunday, January 21st at 4:00 p.m. Make sure your vehicle is parked on the correct side of the road to avoid being ticketed.

* GARBAGE / RECYCLE REGULAR PICKUP SCHEDULE

Resumes on Monday, January 22nd. DPW crews will pick up ALL garbage and recycle items placed at the curb.

Be sure to secure any extra items that don’t fit in your tote(s) in:

– heavy duty plastic bags (ANY color) for garbage or,

– clear heavy duty plastic bags, labeled boxes or bins for recycling.

PLEASE do not put any loose items in totes or at the curb.

Our thanks to everyone for their patience during this difficult and dangerous winter storm.

Please help share this message with others. A community update call with this information will also be sent.

STORM UPDATE – TOWING OF VEHICLES IN FIRST & SECOND WARDS TO BEGIN TODAY, JANUARY 19th @ 11:30 AM
To assist in snow clean-up efforts in the First & Second Wards, the Lackawanna DPW & Police Departments will begin towing vehicles on various streets to one of the following lots beginning at 11:30AM today, January 19, 2024:
• St. Anthony Church
• Queen of Angels Church
• Memorial Field
• Catholic Charities Food Pantry
• Veterans Stadium
If your vehicle is one of those towed, contact the Lackawanna Police Desk at 716-822-4900 to find where your vehicle was taken. Please arrange to pick up your vehicle as soon as possible.
There will be no charge to vehicle owners for this towing.

A Message from Mayor Annette Iafallo – Lackawanna Trick-or-Treat Night Tuesday, October 31st 5:30-8:00PM

Lackawanna’s Halloween ‘trick-or-treat’ night will be held on Tuesday, October 31 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

As always, those planning to go ‘trick-or-treating’ are asked to follow a few safety and good neighbor practices:

• travel safely with family or friend groups in known neighborhood areas and,

• please be respectful of any neighbors who choose NOT to participate in Halloween – the most common sign is when their house lights are turned off.

Also, please be extra careful on Abbott Road from Ridge Road south to Willet, as there are road construction projects still ongoing AND near the Senior Center on Martin Road as Halloween night coincides with early voting for the November election.

I wish everyone who decides to venture out a safe, fun and enjoyable Halloween!

Lackawanna Recreation Department – NY

If you AREN’T receiving the automated CivicReady mass notification calls from the Mayor and want to in the future click the below icon. Please contact the Public Information Office at 827-6475 for assistance.

JOB POSTING

CITY COMPTROLLER

(Provisional Appointment)

The City of Lackawanna is actively recruiting to fill the position of City Comptroller.

This position is the city’s Chief Fiscal Officer overseeing activities of the Division of Accounts and Control. Specific responsibilities include the maintenance of all municipal accounting records, auditing of claims against the City and preparation of payrolls for all city employees. This position is also responsible for preparing various complex and important reports relating to the city’s financial status. This work is carried out in accordance with established accounting principles and requirements of relevant laws and rules.

Qualified candidates must possess a thorough knowledge of modern municipal accounting principles and practices and familiarity with the organization and functions of City government. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered 4-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by the completion of 24 credit hours in accounting and 4 years of satisfactory full-time paid accounting or auditing experience is required. Possession of a CPA license issued by the New York State Department of Education required at the time of application.

Salary range $82,500 – 95,500 based on experience and qualifications.

Interested candidates can review the complete job description on the city website: Lackawanna City Comptroller

Resumes and cover letters can be sent to:

Mayor Annette Iafallo

Lackawanna City Hall

714 Ridge Road – Room 301

Lackawanna, NY 14218

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. NOTE: This is a provisional appointment with permanent status dependent upon successful performance on a future Civil Service Exam for the position

COUNTY OF ERIE
WILLIAM E. GEARY, JR.
COMMISSIONER

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Announced: 11/7/24

The portion of Abbott Road (CR-4) from Fisher Rd to Dorrance Ave will have a single lane road restriction. This restriction will begin November 21 with an anticipated completion date of December 5, or until complete. This restriction is for the purpose of televising the stormwater system in correlation to project PIN 5764.15. Kandey Company Inc. will be performing the work.

Abbott Rd Restriction 

Announced: 6/12/24

The portion of Abbott Road (CR-4) from Milestrip Road to Fisher Road will have multiple lane restrictions/lane shifts including long term lane closures. These restrictions will be from June 17 with an estimated completion of November 29 or until complete. These restrictions are for the purpose of roadway rehabilitation. Access will be maintained to all traffic. D&H Excavating will be performing the work.

Letter from Erie County Dept of Public Works:

Abbott Rd Extended Restriction

Community Interest

JOB POSTING – CITY COMPTROLLER (Provisional Appointment)

 

This position is the city’s Chief Fiscal Officer overseeing activities of the Division of Accounts and Control. Specific responsibilities include the maintenance of all municipal accounting records, auditing of claims against the City and preparation of payrolls for all city employees. This position is also responsible for preparing various complex and important reports relating to the city’s financial status. This work is carried out in accordance with established accounting principles and requirements of relevant laws and rules.
Qualified candidates must possess a thorough knowledge of modern municipal accounting principles and practices and familiarity with the organization and functions of City government. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered 4-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by the completion of 24 credit hours in accounting and 4 years of satisfactory full-time paid accounting or auditing experience is required.
Possession of a CPA license issued by the New York State Department of Education is preferred at the time of application, but not required.
Salary range $85,000 (negotiable based on experience and qualifications)
Interested candidates can review the complete job description on the city website: http://lackawannany.gov/…/CITY-COMPTROLLER-REVISED-10…
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter to:
Mayor Annette Iafallo
Lackawanna City Hall
714 Ridge Road – Room 301
Lackawanna, NY 14218
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
NOTE: This is a provisional appointment with permanent status dependent upon successful performance on a future Civil Service Exam for the position.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER FOR THE CITY OF LACKAWANNA?

If so please read the information below.

As many of you may know, Lackawanna no longer has a local community newspaper. This has made it difficult to share city news with those who don’t follow social media or websites.
To help bridge this ‘information gap’, the city of Lackawanna is considering starting a free monthly email newsletter containing information regarding the city’s scheduled events, news and other important information.
This proposed newsletter would also provide the community with an opportunity to promote certain events and news … like chicken barbeques, meat raffles, sports events, etc. However unlike a newspaper, it would not offer an editorial platform.
While a monthly newsletter is worthwhile, it will take some work to create and distribute one each month. So before moving forward with this idea, we first want to gauge your interest in receiving an email publication from us.
Please take a few minutes to complete this brief online survey (click the link below).
Once the survey process is completed later this summer, we’ll let you know the results and if / how we’ll move ahead with this idea.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you.

City Clerk – Press Releases

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing to be held Monday, December 16, 20245:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Lackawanna City Hall, 714 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna New York.

The topic of discussion is Prohibiting (Transient or Short-Term Rentals) Airbnb’s in the City of Lackawanna.

The purpose of the Hearing is to provide an opportunity for citizens to express their views and have an open discussion regarding this topic.
The meeting is wheelchair accessible. Those needing special arrangements should call the City of Lackawanna at 716-827-6660 by December 12, 2024.

Grace Marrano
City Clerk

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers, Lackawanna City Hall, Room 241, regarding the use of Federal Community Development Funds in the City of Lackawanna.

The City of Lackawanna is eligible for federal community development grants under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.

The purpose of the public hearing is to provide the opportunity for citizens to express community development and housing needs and to discuss possible projects which would benefit low and moderate income persons within the City of Lackawanna.

Citizens are urged to attend this meeting to make known their views and/or written proposals on the City of Lackawanna’s selection of potential projects to be submitted for possible funding by the Federal Community Development Grant Program.

The Hearing will also present a review of prior Community Development projects and expenditures and a discussion of eligible activities.

The meeting is wheelchair accessible. Those needing special arrangements should call the City of Lackawanna at 827-6464 by October 21, 2024.

 Grace Marrano

City Clerk

Attention Residents and Snow Removal/Plow Contractors:

As per City Code, Chapter 188, all snow removal contractors doing work within City limits must have a valid permit to do so. If contractors do not apply for and obtain the required permit, they are NOT permitted to engage in snow removal operations. If a contractor is observed doing so they will be cited and fined by the City of Lackawanna.

This Ordinance is in place to protect both the residents and City alike. Applications may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, Room 215. The fee is $25.00 per vehicle, with proof of insurance required. Each vehicle utilized for snow removal purposes must have its own permit; it must remain visible on the vehicle and is not transferrable between vehicles. Permits are valid for one-year, from Sept 1 through August 31. Residents that plow their own snow are exempt from Chapter 188. You may contact the City Clerk’s office at 827-6452 with any questions.

Attention Business Owners

This is a reminder that ALL businesses operating in the City of Lackawanna are required, as per Chapter 88-10 of the Municipal Code of the City of Lackawanna, to register their business with the City Clerk’s Office. Furthermore, all previously registered businesses are required to renew their business registration every three (3) years. 

The City Clerk’s Office recently sent out letters to all businesses regarding this requirement to register and/or renew. This process must be completed on or before December 16, 2019 to avoid enforcement action.

If a business did not receive a letter for whatever reason, they are not exempt and it is the business owner’s responsibility to comply with the law. This law applies to each and every business within the City, even if the business has been here awhile – there is no such provision for being “grandfathered” in. 

Business registration forms are available on the City website at www.lackawannany.gov and are also available in the Clerk’s Office, City Hall, Room 215, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Any questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at 827-6452.

Development

LACKAWANNA SELECTS NORTH FISHER PROPERTIES FOR 2019 ABBOTT ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The City of Lackawanna today announced the selection of North Fisher Properties, LLC as designated developer for a 2.13 development parcel located at 2019 Abbott Road in the city’s Fourth Ward.

North Fisher Properties was selected from the city’s call for bids for the 2019 Abbott Road parcel which began January 6th of this year and closed on February 3rd. Two other bids were received.

At their Monday, March 27th business meeting, the Lackawanna City Council unanimously approved Mayor Annette Iafallo’s recommendation to select North Fisher Properties based on the company’s high bid of $33K and site proposal for the neighborhood commercially zoned parcel.

“We’re excited to announce the selection of North Fisher Properties as the latest developer committed to continuing the unprecedented economic development momentum occurring in Lackawanna since 2020,” said Mayor Iafallo. “This newest project will be an ideal and modern complement to an existing mixed residential/commercial neighborhood along the bustling Abbott Road corridor.”

North Fisher Properties is proposing a two-phased project at the 2019 Abbott Road site consisting initially of two warehouse/storage facilities, followed by up to two additional multi-family units.

“As a young emerging company, we are eager to continue being a part of the recent development successes occurring in our hometown of Lackawanna,” said North Fisher Properties Managing Member Jason Szpara. “ We are confident that this project at 2019 Abbott Road will be an asset to Lackawanna for many years to come and a great addition to our emerging development portfolio.”

The 2019 Abbott Road project will be North Fisher Properties second Lackawanna project. Their first was completed on 4 ½ South Fisher Drive, just a short distance east of the Abbott Road parcel. That project consisted of 2 warehouses totaling a combined 13,000 square feet on a 3- acre vacant parcel the company has owned since 2013. The South Fisher facilities are fully leased by several local small businesses who use the space for storing supplies and other operating equipment, which also include a private indoor baseball training facility for local youth sports.

Negotiation of a land sale contract between the City of Lackawanna and North Fisher Properties is in process, and the company’s proposal will require approvals from the Lackawanna Zoning and Planning Boards in the coming months. The city has stipulated that construction on the 2019 Abbott Road parcel begin within 12 months of the land sale contract being finalized.

LACKAWANNA TO PARTNER WITH DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT AT 539 RIDGE ROAD

Today at a noon-time press conference, city of Lackawanna Mayor Annette Iafallo and Douglas Jemal, President and Founder of Douglas Development, jointly announced that Douglas has been named as Lackawanna’s designated developer for a $35 million mixed-use project planned for 539 Ridge Road in the city’s Second Ward, which will feature 160 market rate apartments averaging 850 sq. feet, 10,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail space and 30,000 sq. ft of underground parking.

Lackawanna issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 539 Ridge Road site on January, 21, 2022 with a proposal submission deadline of March 15th of this year. Douglas was chosen for the project based on the quality of their RFP response.

The Lackawanna City Council approved the land sale and transfer to Douglas for $1 by a 5-0 vote at their Tuesday, September 20, 2022 business meeting. The $1 land sale price was recommended by Mayor Iafallo given Douglas’s stated intent to develop the 539 Ridge Road project without tax abatement incentives and pay full city taxes upon project completion.

‘We’re honored to partner with the elite development team at Douglas Development as we continue to move forward with my administration’s efforts to revitalize Lackawanna from both an economic and community development perspective,” said Mayor Annette Iafallo. “Doug Jemal and his team have been making a transformational impact in the city of Buffalo over many years through successful completion of several multi-million projects. Given our proximity and similarity to Buffalo, my team has worked hard to bring the Douglas team to Lackawanna and today, I’m proud to say we’ve succeeded. This is another great milestone in restoring Lackawanna to prominence”

The 1.25-acre 539 Ridge Road parcel in Lackawanna’s Second Ward was the location of the former St. Barbara’s R.C. Church, which stood from 1930 until it was closed/consolidated by the Diocese of Buffalo in 2008 and subsequently demolished in 2011. The diocese then sold the land to the City of Lackawanna in November of 2014, and it has sat vacant ever since

“My team and I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside with the wonderful city of Lackawanna. We think that Douglas Development can help play a role in catapulting Lackawanna back to what it once was,” said Douglas Jemal, President and Founder of Douglas Development. “With such rich history, simply minutes from downtown Buffalo, and a tangible eagerness within the community to get the ball moving, we felt like this was a perfect location for our next dynamic project.”

The proposed $35 million mixed-use project by Douglas Development will mark the first of its kind in Lackawanna’s in over a generation and serve as the anchor for the Iafallo administration’s multi-million revitalization plan for the Ridge Road – Center Street corridor, which will include:
– A complete curb-to-curb reconstruction of Center Street in partnership with the Erie County Water and Sewer Authorities – which will be going for bids in the coming days,
– Construction of a grant-funded splash park/inclusive recreation park at nearby Franklin Playground, which is expected to open next summer,

– And construction of three affordable single family residential homes by Habitat for Humanity Buffalo in partnership with the Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation with funding from the city’s community development block grant dollars administered through Erie County.

Lackawanna’s project partnership with Douglas Development continues the city’s success at attracting new development projects since Mayor Iafallo took office in 2020 and unified/lowered the city of Lackawanna’s tax rate as part of an overall strategy for rebuilding the city’s economy, which had eroded since the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation closed its local steelmaking operation in the early 1980’s.

Since 2020, over $100 million in new tax revenue generating development has been initiated or completed in Lackawanna, including:
– Advanced manufacturing /warehouse projects by TMP Technologies/Magic Eraser, Sucro Sourcing, LLC, Uniland Development and Ciminelli Development within and adjacent to the new Renaissance Commerce Park emerging within the former steel plant site which is led by Erie County government in partnership with the City of Lackawanna,

– And manufacturing / warehouse projects for Flexlume Sign Company and Premium Coffee/Queen City Foods on city-owned parcels just east of the commerce park off NYS Route 5.

The next step in the process is for Douglas Development to present their project plans for 539 Ridge Road to the Lackawanna Zoning and Planning Boards before year end 2022. The project is expected to take up to 24 months to complete.

The press event can be viewed on YouTube by clicking https://youtu.be/9r52TbefaOw

LACKAWANNA DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE BUFFALO NEWS

The City of Lackawanna’s efforts to develop various city-owned parcels and help generate developer interest in prime private sites for sale throughout the city are spotlighted in a Buffalo News article which ran online today, Tuesday, April 20th and will run in the Sunday, April 24 print edition.

The article highlights Mayor Iafallo’s development plan for Lackawanna and the various city parcels actively being marketed – all of which are attracting attention and interest from the development community.

Our thanks to Buffalo News business reporter Jonathan Epstein for his efforts in covering this story.

Those who are Buffalo News online subscribers can view the article by clicking: https://buffalonews.com/…/article_6566642e-bf58-11ec…

Those who are not Buffalo News subscribers can view a PDF of the article on the City of Lackawanna website at: http://lackawannany.gov/…/Lackawanna-no-longer-lacking…

Important Reminders

Clearly Display Address/House Numbers

Homes and businesses in Lackawanna should have address numerals clearly displayed on their homes or buildings. Failure to do so hinders the response of ambulance, fire and law enforcement personnel who may need to find an address quickly during an emergency. A delayed response could result in additional property damage, serious injury or loss of life.

In an Emergency Every Minute Counts
Display numbers so they do not blend into the house (e.g. dark on light or light on dark).

Rabies Awareness

The Lackawanna Department of Public Safety and the Department of Animal Control have issued the following for Lackawanna residents.

Residents are urged to use extreme caution when dealing with wildlife in the area.  The Erie County Health Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have raised concerns over the recent heightened rabies exposure this summer.

Due to the heightened rabies exposure reported, people are being urged not to touch wild animals and to have their domesticated pets vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies.  Raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats are more vulnerable to rabies than other animals.

Recently, an injured bat was discovered in a residential area of Lackawanna.  Lackawanna Animal Control Officer, Fred Grasso, captured the bat and had it tested for the rabies virus through the Erie County Health Department.  Testing conducted on the bat resulted in a positive indication of the rabies virus infection.

To report injured or abandoned wildlife, call the SPCA Serving Erie County at 875-7360 during business hours, or 556-0076 for after-hours emergencies, or the Erie County Health Department at 961-6800.

Civil Service

2024 Civil Service Commission Meeting Schedule:

January 26, 2024
February 23, 2024
March 15, 2024
April 12, 2024 @9:30am**
April 26, 2024
May 31, 2024*
June 28, 2024
July 26, 2024
August 23, 2024
September 27, 2024
October 25, 2024
November 6, 2024 @ 3pm**
November 22, 2024
December 19, 2024**

*All Meetings will be held the fourth Friday of the month at 9:15 AM in the City Council
Chambers unless otherwise noted.
** notes a special scheduled meeting.

Standard Work Day

Bids / RFP

VETERANS SERVICES

WNYHeroes Inc., is an organization Mr. Kreiger, an Army Veteran who served in the Iraq War, established in 2007.

WNYHeroes, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide Veterans, members of the armed services, and the widows and children of deceased Veterans with access to essential services, financial assistance and resources that help support their lives and sustain their dignity.

It should also be known that WNYHeroes, Inc. takes great pride in promising that 100% of ALL funds raised remain in WNY to support our local Veterans and their families.

For additional information you may call 630-5020 or visit www.WNYHeroes.Org.

The Lackawanna Police Department have created a CONFIDENTIAL tip line. Residents are able to call and provide any information they may have regarding crimes that have occurred in our community. All callers will remain anonymous and all information received will be considered completely confidential.
716-827-6665
Let us keep you safe.

SOCIAL SECURITY UPDATES

Below you will find the current edition of the Social Security newsletter. Within you will find Social Security’s latest information, current news items, and FAQs. Please feel free to share it with clients, colleagues and friends.

Social Security Star – July 2023

La Estrella de Seguro Social – Julio 2023

Social Security Star – April 2023

Social Security Star – December 2022

Thursday, May 25, 2023
For Immediate Release
Social Security Administration Seal
Mark Hinkle, Press Officer
press.office@ssa.gov
News Release
SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security Administration Expands Outreach and Access for Supplemental Security Income

Campaign Also Targets Underserved Communities

Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources.  SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.

“Helping eligible people access critical benefits, including SSI, is part of Social Security’s core mission,” said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi.  “Underserved communities face additional challenges, like unreliable or no access to the internet and computers, that widen the divide.  Social Security’s campaign strives to reach people in their communities to tell them about the eligibility criteria for SSI, and how to contact us online at www.ssa.gov/ssi or by phone for more information or an appointment to apply.”  The campaign supports President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Social Security used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.

Social Security’s campaign uses a variety of ways to reach people, including radio and television public service announcements (PSA), radio ads, mailers, bus shelter and other large signs, flyers distributed to local stores, and printed publications in several language options.

Watch the 60-second television PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Fny59kmLU

Social Security also is reaching more people online through social media, digital, YouTube ads, and search engine marketing.

Individuals who receive SSI may qualify for other financial help, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and discounted internet service through the Federal Trade Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program.  Individuals who receive Social Security benefits may also be eligible for SSI.

People with limited income and financial resources, and with access to the internet, should visit www.ssa.gov/ssi to learn more about SSI eligibility and request an appointment to apply for benefits.  People without access to the internet can call Social Security’s National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.

In addition to this campaign, Social Security recently proposed simplifications to the SSI program when people are receiving food assistance.  The proposed changes will simplify the rules, making it easier to understand and comply with program requirements.  This will save time for the public and Social Security and improve the equitable treatment of food assistance within the SSI program.  Social Security accepted comments about the proposed rule through April 17, 2023.

# # #

To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on Twitter @SSAPress.

Social Security Announces 8.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2023

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced today.  On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023.  Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2022.  (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits).  The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room.  This year’s substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said.

To view a COLA message from Acting Commissioner Kijakazi, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgm5q4YT1AM.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $160,200 from $147,000.

Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount.  The fastest way to find out their new benefit amount is to access their personal my Social Security account to view the COLA notice online.  It’s secure, easy, and people find out before the mail arrives.  People can also opt to receive a text or email alert when there is a new message from Social Security–such as their COLA notice–waiting for them, rather than receiving a letter in the mail.  People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Information about Medicare changes for 2023 is available at www.medicare.gov.  For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new higher 2023 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated.  To read more, please visit www.ssa.gov/cola.

# # #

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: Attached is a fact sheet showing the effect of the various automatic adjustments.

To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on Twitter @SSAPress.

Fact Sheet

Press Release

Hoja de datos

Comunicado de Prensa

Greetings!

Social Security recently released a new online Social Security number (SSN) card application that allows people to start their application for an original or replacement SSN card online.  This new application saves people time because they don’t have to complete the paper SSN card application.  Once they’ve submitted their online application, they have 45 days to bring required documentation to their local SSA office to complete their application.

The link to the new application is found here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

Feel free to share this information and let us know if you would like a pack of business cards and/or a poster with QR codes that link to the online application. The QR codes in the image below work- you can try it out!

988 NATIONAL SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

On Saturday, July 16, 2022, a new 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was implemented across the United States. This is a FREE service available to everyone.

Anyone who is experiencing mental health distress – including thoughts of suicide, a substance-use crisis or emotional distress – can connect with a trained crisis counselor simply by calling or texting 988. Interpretation services are available in over 150 languages.*

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH A MENTAL HEALTH MATTER, CALL OR TEXT 988 IMMEDIATELY.
* Source: NYS Office of Mental Health website.

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