Important Information About Reaching Social Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 17, 2021
During the current coronavirus pandemic, we continue to provide help to you and other people in your communities. While our offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, we remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security business. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or our National 800 Number. You can find local office phone numbers online by using our Social Security Office Locator.
We offer many secure and convenient online services, where you can:
- Apply for Retirement, Disability, and Medicare benefits.
- Check the status of an application or appeal.
- Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas).
- Print a benefit verification letter and much more.
Although you can do most of your business with us online, we know that service channel isn’t right for everyone. You can still count on us by phone. If you have a critical situation and we cannot help you with by phone or online, we may be able to schedule an appointment for you.
If you need help, please don’t wait until we can see you in person. Call us now and get the help you need. We also understand that getting medical and other documentation can be difficult due to the pandemic, so we are continuing to extend certain deadlines wherever possible.
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Tags: COVID-19, online services
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Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Jean T.
I’ve sent in a application for Medicare part B three times and I still haven’t heard from Social security
ever time I call they say they didn’t get it. onetime ok, but three times. I need some help, so can someone please help me. Thanks
Vonda V.
Hi Jean, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. 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.
Patricia D.
My SS card has my married name on it. I was divorced in 1985. I have an active passport and drivers license also a copy of my birth certificate will that be enough to change the name from Patricia M Graffam back to Patricia D Murphy? I can’t place my hands on my divorce paperwork.
Vonda V.
Hi Patricia, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. To learn more on the process and what documents you will need, please visit our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card web page. 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.
Lisa w.
I’m getting married 8/8/2020 how do I go about changing my name on my social security card if the offices aren’t open? I believe changing my social security card is the first step before I change my drivers license and passport.
Lisa
Vonda V.
Hi Lisa, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. 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.
Ifeanyi P.
Good day, I went to the SSA in Inglewood and was told they did not allow in person interaction till further notice and was given a number to call. I called and was asked to send some document through fax which included my proof of work authorization, data page of my passport and I-94 or visa data page letter of employment. I even went ahead and send my birth certificate which one of the reps asked me to come with if I am given an appointment to walk in. I have sent the fax twice and each time I call I am told they have not received my documents. The last time I called was told that all they saw was my birth certificate. Each time I call they say they have still not seen my documents I faxed in twice. Please how do I get an appointment or how else can i send the documents so they can receive it? Thank you for your time.
Vonda V.
Hi Ifeanyi, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. Please continue to work with your local office. 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.
Maria d.
Hello i need to correct my name on social security card, as an ID I have certificated of naturalization but i do not have a picture ID, dmv can not issue one because the ss name has to be change. SS told me that i have to get certified true copy of my certificated of naturalization in order to get certified true copy, I need to have a picture lD. To get a passport I need a picture Id. I really need a job my saving are gone and in order to hire me are asking for a pictute ID.
So far nobody has been able to help me.
I’m desperate and I need someone to guide me what can i do.
I would really appreciate your advice
Enea
How to get my Social Security Number??? I am here at USA for 5 months already i still waiting to get my Social, please help me because i needed, i need to work to survive.
Vonda V.
Hi Enea, thanks for using our blog. We continue to process Social Security Numbers and issue cards for certain lawful immigrants, we call these processes Enumeration at Entry (EAE) and Enumeration beyond Entry(EBE).
If these automated processes are not available to you, we will schedule an in-office appointment for a new card request for those with a critical need. Appointment availability is based on available staff and office operating status. Please call your local office to see if an in-office appointment is necessary and possible. To contact your local office, please look for the local office telephone number at Social Security Office Locator under “Social Security Office Information” for the office you select. The toll-free “Office” number is your local office.
NORMA C.
I’VE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET THE PLAN B TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE STATE. I LIVE ON $787.00 A MONTH AND EACH TIME THEY TAKE THAT $144 OUT IT HURTS. I’VE CALLED ALL THE NUMBERS THEY GIVE ME AND PAY FOR MY MINUTES TO BE PUT ON HOLD EACH TIME FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR. THEY NEED TO DO CALL BACKS. I NEED HELP WITH THIS PLAN OR NEED TO DROP IT. I CAN’T GET THEM TO ANSWER JUST ROBOTS ALL THE TIME.
Vonda V.
Hi Norma. You may want to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $5,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. In addition to the Extra Help, you may be able to get help from your State with other Medicare costs under the Medicare Savings Programs. By completing the Extra Help application, you will start your application process for a Medicare Savings Program. We will send information to your state who will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program unless you tell us not to when you complete the application.
If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Prescription Drug plans or how to enroll in a plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. You also can request information about how to contact your State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIP offers help with your Medicare questions. We hope this helps.
Sandy B.
My mother Jacqueline Medlock has died and I need to bring you her death certificate. 225–202-0287
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Sandy. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, 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.
See our Factsheet on How Social Security Can Help When a Family Member Dies.
Brittany T.
I need a replacement card for my underage son and I am being told I have to mail in my original driver’s license to be able to get it. Do you realize it is illegal to drive without carrying your license. And I’m supposed to mail it in and wait 3 to 4 weeks to get it back? Appointments need to be scheduled for what can not be done online
JANE C.
I want to make a phone appointment with the Farmville, VA office. I have some questions I need to clarify. I will be 65 in Mar, 2021, and am a widow. Please advise. Thank you.
Jane Barnard
Vonda V.
Hi Jane, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office to make an appointment. 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.