How to Contact Social Security: What You Need to Know About Recent Changes
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 1, 2025
When you want to get in touch with Social Security, you have options. The most convenient way to conduct business with us is online with a personal my Social Security account.
More than 71 million adults use our online services through my Social Security. If you don’t have an account or access to the internet, you can contact us by phone, mail, fax, or in person.
Below you’ll find information and updates about each contact method.
Online at www.ssa.gov
Millions of people who created their personal my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, still need to transition to Login.gov or create a new ID.me or Login.gov account. If you haven’t made the transition yet, you’ll want to take action now. Learn about changes we’re making to your personal my Social Security account.
If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one.
With a free and secure my Social Security account, you can:
- Submit an application for most benefits. By applying online, you can skip a trip to a local office to verify your identity and complete your application.
- Add or change direct deposit information if you receive Social Security benefits. If you get Supplemental Security Income and have an account, you may be able to change your direct deposit over the phone using a one-time code that you get from ssa.gov/pin and providing it to the representative. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you’ll need to update your direct deposit details at a local office or your bank.
- Upload forms and documents. To minimize delays, you can now use your account to electronically submit certain forms and documents to your local office. We’ll send you a text or email after successful submission.
Note: In limited situations, you may be offered the option to use an online tool to schedule a phone or in-office appointment. We plan to expand its availability in the future.
Telephone
To speak with a representative, you can call our National toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If necessary, we can make a video, phone, or in-person appointment for you. To find out the average wait time based on the time and day of the week, check out Contact Social Security By Phone.
Automated phone services
You may not need to speak with a representative when you use our automated phone services. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more about them at Contact Social Security By Phone.
Mail or fax
If you need to submit forms, documents, or other information to your local office, you’ll find the mailing address and fax number by entering your zip code in our online office locator. Note: Some offices have drop-off boxes.
Visit a local office
Appointments are required in most cases. If you need to visit an office, call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.
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Linda H.
Where do you find the forms to change account number or bank routing number?
Tyler H.
I have applied a few times since 2011, I have been denied every time. Haven’t worked in decades, and have multiple injuries, some have made it difficult to complete daily tasks, let alone acquire gainful employment. I do not understand why SSA denies my disability. I have been disabled for over twenty years. I will never meet your criteria of time worked or credits. I don’t understand how you decide. I’m on a handful of medications, some of them make tasks more difficult or just illegal. I’m not supposed to operate a vehicle after taking them.
What do you need from me?
Am I filling out the paperwork incorrectly?
I don’t understand how your process works and it is difficult to find information for you to support my claims.
Rhonda M.
How do people living overseas conduct online business?
Terry P.
All information ive found about local office is that it’s closed. 82801 is the zip code. I’ve had people tell me their still open. So what is the operation of that office
Traci S.
Am I able to change the % of my “voluntary taxes withheld” amount online?
Sheri
I would really love the ability to email/contact an SSA agent from within my online message account. Right now it is one-way, as in SSA send me messages, but it would be nice to be able to message an agent.
Laura
The main office agent refused to help me resolve a mistake your office made, she refused to connect me to a supervisor when I asked for someone who might help, and she hung up on me before stating – “call your local office.”
The local office in San Antonio doesn’t even bother to answer their phone. I have been disconnected after waiting 20 minutes (5 times now – on different dates) with a lame message that they are “busy serving other clients – call back later”!
This is abhorrent customer service.
Linda K.
I got a text message telling me it’s time to state my gross monthly wages for April. I’ve never seen this before. What does it mean??
mark t.
I really like the my ssa account website. well done
Víctor A.
Porque no puedo haceder a mi cuenta está bloqueada