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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Laura W.
My husband green card came for the duration of the pandemic, so he turned into no longer able to method a SS due the office become closed, we need his SS for paintings and coverage purposes,
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Azucena
My husband green card came during the pandemic, so he was not able to process a SS due the office was closed, we need his SS for work and insurance purposes, Could you please guide us, we called but no answer. Thanks.
V.V.
Hi Azucena, 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, we may schedule an in-office appointment for a new card request in certain situations. 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.
Franklin m.
I have covid amd cant get online to my account to disability to get a copy of my s s card for them to prove who I am ….what can I do?
V.V.
Hi Franklin, thank you for your question. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. We hope this helps!
Alexa M.
Been trying to reach someone for 2 weeks. No answer ever, cannot stay online 25 mins with cell. Local offices closed, Covid. My linked account does not appear to be working with ex husband now that he is getting benefits. How long does this normally take? He started receiving in June 2020. Mine has not yet increased. It’s end of October.
V.V.
Hi Alexa, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with Social Security. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. 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.
Bjorn K.
I tried logging in to My SS account to change my deposit bank. I had forgotten my user name and password and went through all the steps as directed but received the message at the end, when I thought, I had completed all the steps correctly, the my identity was not correct as entered. I went back and retraced all the steps, and all was correct. I tried calling but was told that the wait time was two hours. Could someone PLEASE email me (bjmaxnet@gmail.com or bjornknet@hotmail.com) or call me (360) 265-8084) to assist me?
V.V.
Hi Bjorn, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with your my Social Security account. 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.
Irma R.
I am a 64 year old female who is considering going ahead and applying for my monthly social security before full retirement age. My monthly amount would be less than half of my husband’s retirement amount at FTA, and he is still working. I had heard that I might be eligible for one half of his amount, but do I need to wait until he files for social security in order to receive the amount that is half of is as opposed to my current designated amount? Please advise.
V.V.
Hi Irma, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. We will always pay your own retirement benefit first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. In addition, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. We hope this is helpful!
Max O.
Wow! That’s incredible!
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Vijay K.
I CONTACTED MY LOCAL OFFICE, i WAS TOLD ALL THE OFFICES ARE CLOSED RIGHT NOW, i WONT GET AN APPOINMENT UNLESS THE OFFICES ARE OPEN. mY SITUATION IS VERY CRITICAL.
cAN YOU PLEASE GUIDE ME WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
V.V.
Hi Vijay, thank you for using our blog. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, you may be able to apply online. Visit our Social Security Number and Card page to learn how. If you cannot request a replacement card online, call your local office and request that we mail you an SSN printout instead of a replacement Social Security card. Unfortunately, we are unable to process replacement Social Security card requests by phone at this time.
Vijay K.
How can I get an appointment to replace my Social Security card. I am a Green card holder. I lost all my documents.
Please help me. Thank you so much. I am located in Columbus, OH.
Vijay Kumar
614-598-9006
vijaykumar22us@yahoo.com
Wendie F.
Hello. For some reason, I am unable to sign into my online SSA account, which I have had for years. I called and talked to a representative and after about an hour of him trying to help me get into my account, we gave up because the site just wouldn’t let me sign in or even create a new account.
My issue is this: because I cannot access my online account and I urgently need a replacement SS card for identity reasons with my unemployment office in New York State, (so that my benefits can be reinstated), I was told by the representative that I could mail in the application along with my original birth certificate and my state ID card. He told me that there are indeed personnel in our local offices that are processing applications even though the public cannot go in the office in person due to Covid 19. He also told me that SSA would send me back my original documents after about a week after SSA receives them, and then the card itself two or three weeks after that.
I was VERY reluctant to send my original documents through the mail, but I did so anyway due to my critical time constraints. I am desperate.
So, last week I sent the application and original documents to my local Rochester, NY office.
My questions: Is it true that there ARE people working on processing applications in the local offices? Also, is it true I will get my original documents back before I get the replacement card back? Also, how long is the whole process? It has been extremely difficult getting any personalized answers during this time of Covid.
Thank you in advance
W.F
Rochester, NY
V.V.
Hi Wendie, thanks for using our blog. To follow up on your application and documentation, please call your local office and speak to a representative. 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.
Wendie A.
Not really, but thanks for playing. Sheesh.
Horace J.
For two days I have been trying to contact SSA.My son’s 18,the birthday was 8/20, schools were closed due to covid-19 so I was unable to submit his school attendance verification. His benefits were withheld. Two weeks ago I mailed the information because they would not accept them through the door. Now benefits are two months behind and I can’t even talk to someone.
V.V.
Hi Horace, thanks for using our blog. Please call 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.