COVID-19, Online Services

Important Information About Reaching Social Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 30, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last 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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: ,

See Comments

About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Victoria D.

    There is no COVID 19 and I need to replace my stolen social security card to find employment and replace my birth certificate as well. I’ve called and still have not received an application in the mail to replace the my card. And was informed it was free for a replacement card and with the police report number but yet its 40.00. come on America get your shit together and stop playing with people’s lives and thier future…

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Victoria. We are sorry to hear about your situation. First, realize that you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. Keep in mind all submitted documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Once you’ve submitted all the needed documents, it can take up to 10 business days from the date we received the application to mail a replacement card. We hope this helps.

  2. Joanie R.

    My mom and I have been trying to help my brother Stanley Edward Bonneville Junior get a replacement social security card since he has lost his original, but both of us have tried to set up an account online for him and nothing is working. Can you please advise as to how we can apply online for his replacement card well someone can help us fix whatever issue is Stopping Us online. We greatly appreciate it

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Joanie. Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, you can only create a personal my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission. For security reasons, and for your brother’s protection, he can contact local office for assistance with creating his online account. We hope this helps.

  3. Kirandeep k.

    I have question I know some people they get their work permit after me and they already have their social security cards . But myself 4months ago get my work permit and until now I didn’t receive my social security card. Why it is like this

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Kirandeep, 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. 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.

  4. Ken

    Dear Commissioner,

    Your offices are of NO HELP to people that have a CDL, I can not be without my license, at any time.
    If I go to a DOT stop and don’t have my license I can be put out of service and in some states fined. You need to come up with something to fix this problem since your offices won’t accept appointments during Coronavirus. How about a certified copy? A state issued application that has all the information or a certified one ?

    Sometimes a plan B helps

  5. Richard N.

    How do I change my name with Social Security? My name is now a hyphenated one and it has been my legal name for several years. It is causing a conflict with medical and prescription providers as the name on my Social Security and Medicare Advantage program is not consistent with my hyphenated name. I have the SSA form for the name change completed but am worried about sending my legal documentation and getting it returned safely.

  6. Sandra F.

    I have retirement back pay due but everyone on the phone at Social Security says I can’t get paid unless I come in. They informed me appointments are not an option because they are not open. So, Social Security just keeps my back pay.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Sandra, 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. 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.

  7. Sandra B.

    I was recently married in March and I need to change my social security card, to my married name. Can I drop off or mail in my marriage licenses and be mailed my new social security card?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Sandra, 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.

  8. Mary A.

    I’ve tried for 5 days to print an awards letter for my husband’s SS. I can’t remember the password, and don’t remember the answer to all the questions and it keeps locking me out. This is keeping us from refinancing our mortgage. This is terrible service. Everyone else is open with required masks, why can’t you be.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Mary, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. You also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. You can conduct the automated services 24 hours a day. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a proof of income letter. We hope this helps.

  9. Patricia L.

    I need to know how to transfer my Wellcare Medicare Advantage SNP HMO Plan from Marietta ,GA to Radcliff, KY on Oct 1, 2020.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Patricia, thanks for using our blog. Please contact the Medicare Advantage Plan directly. Thank you.

  10. Kimberly C.

    How do I sign up for SS, I got divorced and need to change my last name

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Kimberly, 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.

Comments are closed.