Telephones certainly have made our lives easier. Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without your cell phone? Now imagine life without telephones at all.

Social Security's nationwide, toll-free phone service makes conducting business with the agency more convenient. Did you know you can call Social Security day or night at 1.800.772.1213?

You can talk with a Social Security representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. But today, telephones are used for so much more than talking. You can access recorded information and many automated services 24 hours a day—including weekends and holidays.

For those currently receiving benefits, you can use these automated services to report a change of address or telephone number, start or change direct deposit of benefits, and request a proof of income letter or a replacement Medicare card. In addition, everyone can use the automated services to request important Social Security forms such as an application for a replacement Social Security card or a Social Security Statement, and order some of our most popular public information pamphlets.

It's hard to imagine life without phones—or Social Security without a nationwide toll-free phone number. Social Security is never more than a phone call away: 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

Ginny Jordan is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Her weekly column on all things Social Security appears in the Sunday Edition of the Sun-Sentinel.

Ginny has agreed to let us reprint her articles here for your convenience.

Thank you Ginny!