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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J. W.
I am moving to the US from Scotland. My visa will allow me to apply for a social security number. Does this have to be done in person? Can I make an appointment? How long do I have to wait after I arrive in the US to apply for my social security number?
V.V.
Hi Jacklyn, thanks for your question. We 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 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.
Wendy R.
Im hearing impaired,as profound deaf.I have been trying to reach someone online still haven’t been able to to update my address etc. Thank you
S.D.
Hi, Wendy. Thank you for using our blog and for your question. Check out our Change of Address web page for instructions on how to change your address online using your my Social Security account. Social Security is committed to communicating effectively with the public, which includes providing meaningful access to all SSA activities, programs, facilities, and services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Check out our If You Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing web page for details on how to request a reasonable accommodation. We hope this helps!
Jacqueline O.
I assisted my father in obtaining Medicare Part B back in October 2020 online through SEP. I have followed up with a phone call to the 800 number and they let me know it should take a couple of weeks. My father needs to get on Medicare before he loses coverage in 2020. MySocialSecurity has zero updates. I have not only submitted the information online, I have also faxed. Someone please help as my father will not have any medical insurance in the new year and I would like him to be set up with a Part C plan.
S.D.
Hi, Jacqueline. Thank you for using our blog. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your father’s security, we do not have access to information about his record. Please call your father’s local office with specific questions. You’ll find the phone number with our Social Security Office Locator. We hope this helps.
J H.
I applied for SS (retirement) benefits over 3 months ago. Certainly, the covid-19 event is delaying things but, on the website, can the SSA provide some expected timelines for services, taking into account the covid delays?
Thanks!
V.V.
Hi J, thanks for using our blog. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.
If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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.
Ron K.
Dear Sir,
I have tried numerous times calling the local office and the national offices of Social Security. I need to update my earnings record so that my IRMAA can be corrected. Each time I call, I am on hold for literally hours and or call just dropped. This is highly frustrating and depressing to say the least. This is an urgent matter as my benefit is being decreased by several hundred dollars and this is the only income I currently have. Your help please sir?
Respectfully,
Ron
V.V.
Hi Ron, thank you for using our blog. To determine if you’ll pay higher premiums, Social Security uses the most recent federal tax return the IRS provides to us. If you must pay higher premiums, we use a sliding scale to make the adjustments, based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income.
For details regarding an appeal, check out the factsheet: What You Can Do if You Think Your Medicare Income-Related Premium is Incorrect.
To report a Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Life-Changing Event, complete and return the form to your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
M i.
Filed an appeal which was sent to the San Mateo office three weeks ago. Have heard nothing. Now I get a letter saying they are going to take $2000 out of my feb check.
We filed an amended tax return which reduced income below the medicare increased premium threshold . It was filed months before you decidedbto look at my 2019/return. Why didnt you look at the amended return? How far behind is the San Mateo office. I c ant go to an office to get this fixed. What should I do?
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. Please contact 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.
Timothy S.
I know I have a Social Security account. I receive money by direct deposit the 3rd of every month. I cannot get into my account, either because I have input the wrong user name or the wrong password. I have even tried to make a new account but I am told that I am not recognized! This has been going on for a year or so. This is total nonsense!! Please, I would be very appreciative if someone would call me, as I am trying to find info about my Medicare as well.
Thankyou,
Timothy Heitman
324 Broadway
Grand Lake, CO 80447
(970) 402-1428
P.S. the deadline for changing my Medicare is Monday, December 7, 2020.
V.V.
Hi Timothy, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties accessing your my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 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.
Keith W.
How do I go about getting a social security card online?
Carla S.
Received letter regarding Medicare B and D. I would like to talk to a real person.
V.V.
Hi Carla, thanks for using our blog. You can contact 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.
Eli N.
Hi, I am having a problem with my name with the IRS, I have contact them by phone and meal several times and not being able to fix the problem. recently they told me to contact the SSA . Due the office are closed. I would like to make a appointment can you halp?
V.V.
For your security, Eli, 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.