Coronavirus (COVID-19): Important Information about Social Security Services
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: February 21, 2023
All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are still able to provide critical services.
Please read our press release to learn more, including how to get help from the Social Security Administration by phone and online. You can also visit our website to learn more and stay up to date.
Please share this message with your friends and loved ones.
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Tags: COVID-19, social security, Social Security benefits
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Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Matthew B.
What will need to be done to change my wife’s name while the offices are closed. We were married in June.
V.V.
Hi Matthew, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If your wife does not want to mail in her documents, which will be returned, she may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
Rene d.
A home confinement person that has Medicare part A, but he doesn’t have Part B, he sent the correct form to the social security office near us. He is diabetic, cold hearts problems and needs the part B to go see a Doctor They said he has to wait till the next time in the year to apply, I don’t think is correct He was released because COVID-19. Please tell us what to do and if he has to apply again when?
V.V.
Hi Rene, thanks for using our blog. In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a higher monthly premium which is why we advise people to apply for Medicare benefits as soon as they are eligible. However, if you were covered under a group health plan based on your or your spouse’s current employment, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will let you sign up for Medicare Part B. You have an 8-month SEP to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts at one of these times (whichever happens first):
• The month after the employment ends
• The month after group health plan insurance based on current employment ends.
Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a SEP.
If you don’t qualify for an SEP, you will have to wait for the General Enrollment Period (GEP) to sign up. The GEP lasts from January 1 through March 31. Coverage would begin July 1. Most people who sign up for Part B during the GEP will have a 10 percent increase in monthly premiums for each 12-month period they did not enroll, but were eligible.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
George A.
When will I get my stimulus check?
V.V.
Hi George, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Hayden S.
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B.R. F.
I recently got married. With the offices closed how can I get my last name changed? I have the form and marriage license. The only documents I have to verify me is my driver’s license or passport. I do not think mailing these original documents is a option in this day in age. What can be done? The person I talked to on the phone just said to mail them was the only option or wait. She was not very nice about it either. There are some things that I have to get this changed to provide for my employer and other legal documents.
I would think that in this day and age that I could send color pics, they could verify documents, we could video conference etc. to get this accomplished.
V.V.
Hi there. Thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
Anita R.
Where is my stimulus payment?
*** – ** – ***
Anita R. Squires
V.V.
Hi Anita, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Liasha
I recently got married. With the offices closed how can I get my name? I have the form and marriage license. The only document I have to verify me is my driver’s license.
Brandy N.
Can I change my last name on line for a new ss card
V.V.
Hi Brandy, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
Chris S.
I have yet to receive my stimulus check. When I inquired I was told that initially two checks were generated including one for my deceased wife and that caused the delay. I was told to check back in October but due to financial needs I decided to check back earlier. Please advise. thanks Chris Stasiak
V.V.
Hi Chris, thanks for using our blog. You can find answers to most of your EIP-related questions at the IRS’ Economic Payment Information Center webpage. We also provide information about EIPs that may be helpful to Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients on our page, Economic Impact Payments Paid by the CARES Act.
If you do not see the answer to your question, you can call the Internal Revenue Service’s EIP hotline at 1-800-919-9835. The Social Security Administration cannot answer EIP questions about your specific situation.
Jorge R.
I applied for unemployment ’cause i lost my job last week and i need some help
Jorge R.
Nobody call me or email me from unemployment office yet
I already apply online but i am still waiting for a phone call or an email from unemployment office