General, Online Services

Customer Service Is What We Do

October 3, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

customer-service

Social Security has been in the customer service business for more than 81 years, and with Customer Service Week, October 3-7, at hand, it is an exciting time to share the importance of this long-standing tradition.

“My experience with SSA has always been positive.”–Edward M.

This week focuses on commitment to excellence in service. Many of you rely on us for our programs and services. While much of the assistance we give is during the most critical times in your life, it is our belief that with every interaction with us you deserve professional, courteous, and compassionate service.

Times have progressed from 81 years ago, when most customer-to-employee interactions were in person. Today, part of your changing needs is the convenience of quick and secure online service options to conduct your Social Security business. Whether you are home or on the go, you can visit www.socialsecurity.gov to use our many online services.  And we are committed to customer choice, so you can always come see us in the office or call us on our 800 number.

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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

Comments

  1. Rivers A.

    can’t create a SS account

  2. Janice B.

    What do I need to do to receive an award letter?

    • K.O.

      Hello Janice, thank you for your question. You can request a benefit verification letter online instantly by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. To set up your account, visit the my Social Security web page and select, “Sign In or Create an Account.” You will need to provide some personal information to verify your identity, choose a username and password and follow the rest of the steps to finish creating your account. Once you create your account, scroll down to the Benefits and Payments section and choose “get benefit verification letter” where you can instantly view, print, or save your official letter.

      If you are unable to create an account or encounter a problem, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk” or you can contact your local Social Security office.

  3. terri v.

    will we get paid for febuary 2019

  4. Joan T.

    I want to have my check go to my bank instead of my credit union. What do I need to do?

  5. angela e.

    i have my 3 grandsons in my custody thier father was disabled an then was incarcerated i need to know how to apply for them tro get childrens benifits from him they are 5 yrs 9 yrs an 10yrs old thier mother is also incarcerated can i get an application

  6. steve m.

    plz help me get into my acctount

    • A.C.

      Hi, Steve. We’re sorry that you had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still having trouble accessing your my Social Security account, please call our dedicated my Social Security Hotline. To reach this hotline, call 1-800-772-1213, and select the prompt “helpdesk”. The help desk will be available to callers between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.

  7. Les B.

    hi, how do I change the addrss of my custodial minor children. We have moved. I have changed my address on line with out any problem.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Les. Our current policy does not allow people to set up a personal my Social Security accounts for others. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old to create a personal my Social Security account. We understand how inconvenient this may be for you, but hope you understand our role in protecting everyone’s personal information. If you are the representative payee for your child, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps!

  8. Kathy E.

    I want to comment on a very rude SS employee called me to verify information regarding an application I made. An unknown phone 205-801-1111 called my cell phone. I did not pick up and there was no message. I dialed the # and it claimed to be SS. I called the SS 800 number and talked to a polite gentleman who told me he did not recognize the number and he suspected it was a nefarious call. He told me never give my SSN to anyone representing themselves as a SS agent. He told me that they have my SSN so they wouldn’t ask. He advised me to go to my local SS office. The next day, the same number 205-801-1111 called my cell again and I answered. A representative said she was from SS and wanted to verify some information on an application I made. She said she left me a message but I never received it. I told her I was reluctant to give out my information as I was not certain that she truly was a SS agent. We talked further and she had my SSN. After discussion back/forth I decided she was legitimate and I gave her the information. I told her about my discussion with the SS agent at the 800 number and she told me everything that she told me to do was wrong. Today I received a voice mail message from this same woman telling me she needed me to call her regarding my application. OK, now I’m worried. She told me last week everything was taken care of. So, now I’m thinking that maybe she is NOT from SS. I called her back and she said the only way she could tell me if she called me was if I gave her my SSN. I told her that the man at the 800 SS number told me NOT to give it out. She said, in a sweet way, “Would you do me a favor?” I responded “yes”. Then she got extremely RUDE and NASTY and yelled at me, “DO NOT CALL ME AT THIS NUMBER AGAIN. IF YOU NEED HELP CALL THE 800 NUMBER!!!!!!” What am I supposed to think when I’m getting conflicting information from SS employees? Ironic that when you call the SS 800 number, before you get anywhere, you hear numerous messages about scam artists who pose as SS. You go through all of that but then say/do things that make one question whether or not I’m talking to a legitimate agent. And, I believe this woman at phone number 800-254-9481 extension 3465 (I won’t mention her name in this post) was treating me poorly based on age discrimination (for one). It is scary enough getting old but now knowing that i have to deal with the incompetency and RUDENESS is even scarier. Makes one feel that they are at the mercy of people who don’t care or give a damn.

    • Kenneth B.

      I was hoping to find a SSA reply to this post confirming that the 800-254-9489 number was truly a SSA number. I also hoped to learn whether or not I should ever be asked by a SSA agent what my SS# was, when I called this number. I received an email while my Medicare application was being processed, asking me to call this number (and an extension) to provide additional information. The SSA web site is loaded with scam warnings, so I am quite concerned. A post here would be reassuring.

  9. David R.

    I have been receiving documents from SS in spanish and would prefer getting them in english. How do I submit a change?

  10. John R.

    Hi,
    You were kind enough to respond to my problem,
    but I lost your reply.
    I sent in a Medicare premium payment in July, 2018.
    My check has not yet been processed at my bank.
    I need to have this check facsimile or a Medicare receipt for taxes.
    (I also hope I paid my premium debt correctly.)
    Please again help me locate this data.
    Thank you, John R. Barnes
    mediajohn_06905@ yahoo.com

    • A.C.

      Hi, John. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask members of our Blog community to work with their local office for specific questions about their case. You can also contact us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Just as a reminder-please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this is resolved soon.

Comments are closed.