Easier appointment scheduling: Starting March 7th, you can schedule your own Social Security appointments online through the new National Appointment Scheduling Calendar (NASC) — phone appointments will be available on a first-come basis across all U.S. time zones, potentially reducing wait times.

Faster claims processing: The new National Workload Management system will distribute tasks to employees nationwide based on their skills and availability, streamlining workflow to speed up benefit claims processing even amid staffing shortages.

In-person service still available: All 1,250 Social Security field offices will continue offering in-person appointments — plus, over 100 million Americans now have My Social Security online accounts for 24-hour access to check application status, request replacement cards, and get benefit estimates.

March payment schedule: Retirement benefits are staggered by birth date on Wednesdays — March 11th (birth dates 1st-10th), March 18th (birth dates 11th-20th), and March 25th (birth dates 21st-31st); those receiving benefits since before May 1997 or getting both Social Security and SSI will be paid March 3rd.

SSI payment came early: Supplemental Security Income recipients received their March payment on February 27th instead of March 1st because the first of the month falls on a Sunday.

What to do if payment doesn't arrive: The SSA recommends first contacting your bank or financial institution to check for delays — if that doesn't resolve it, call 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office.

Promises don't match policy: Congressman Richard Neal disputed President Trump's State of the Union pledge to "always protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid," pointing to the administration's tax bill that contains "huge cuts to Medicaid and Medicare" scheduled to take effect after the midterm elections.

Local hospitals can prove it: Neal, a Democrat representing Massachusetts, said the reality differs from Trump's rhetoric and told constituents to "talk to the president of Baystate Medical Center in our area hospitals — they can present the facts" about the cuts coming to these programs.

Affordability remains the top concern: Despite Trump characterizing the country as being in a "golden age," Neal argued that residents in Western Massachusetts are facing price increases and there's less voter support for the president's economic initiatives because affordability remains a primary issue for families.