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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Mary s.
Hi,
I did not receive my Windfall payments nor retroactive!
All my friend received theirs!
I need my funds to pay bills
Norma R.
I usually drop off correspondence at the SS office because it is too frustrating to gain access on line and too long on hold to access by phone. Plus the last appointment I had , I was right on schedule but the person I was scheduled to meet with went out to lunch and I had to wait for her to return. People don’t deserve to be treated that way. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in that waiting area.
Sandra W.
How did I apply for my late husband’s SS and/or survivor”s benefits?
Joshua S.
This reminds me of that South Park episode of the cable companies customer service representatives 🫠
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbHqUNl8YFk
Bhaskar S.
Very well explained
Sarah L.
I think it is a mistake to force people to apply on-line to avoid having to go to the local SSA Office. Many low-income people cannot afford a computer, do not have access to the internet or cannot afford an internet account. Many elderly people do not have the technical skills to do everything on-line and many live alone and have no one to help them. The local SSA office for many people is hours away, especially in rural areas. In my own city, the SSA office has terribly inadequate parking. It is extraordinarily stressful to have to go in person. What if you don’t have a car or can’t drive and there is no one to take you? I was very grateful my husband and I could apply on the phone and I could apply for widow’s benefits by phone. It is not good to make people do everything on line or in person. Surely there are ways to make phone applications secure!
Tammy
I think you can use the computers at your local library for free.The people at the library will help you also.
Cynthia J.
Social Security, when called, refused to schedule an in person appointment for me. This happened 3 times. Why can’t they just schedule an appointment? I submitted form SSA-44 in December 2024 and received no response.
DebS
had a my Social Security account for about 10 years. In July 2024 I tried to create a Login.gov account, I wasn’t successful until I March of 2025. However, the system didn’t recognize my login account for my Social Security account. In April 2025 I called the 800 number spoke with an agent, I got it to recognize my information. But when I signed out and tried to sign in again. It didn’t recognize my information and locked me out. Who was the “genius” that wanted to change how things were before??? It worked before but not now!
Sandra W.
How do I apply for my husband’s soc security?
Dawn B.
What the fuck is going on here you have all lost your minds. Whatever was changed wasn’t needed and there is no fraud happening expect from Elon Musk and his asshole employees. We are going to sue his ass and anyone else involved in this shit.
Ree
I totally agree. Instead of completely destroying the system an audit should have been done in the proper way, not just dismantling the whole system. He didn’t find anything at least nothing with evidence. This whole administration is lying to the public. The sad part is that there is proof of wrong doing and illegal acts.