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.

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. vinay

    Hi, My son was born on Jan 12 2021 in Ohio and the hospital has confirmed that they have applied for one. We are yet to receive his SSN card. Do we still need to wait or apply for a new card ? What’s the best number to call to check the status ?

    • Vonda

      Hi Vinay, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. You can call 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.

  2. bridgett

    hello, good day,
    I am retiring this year and it said before to start the process 3 months before your birthday. Does that still apply during Covid? or is it a longer wait thus an earlier application timeline. thank you. bridgett

    • Sue

      Hi, Bridgett, and thanks for your question. Our system is set up to take claims up to 4 months in advance to give ample time for processing. When you’re ready to file, please use our online retirement application. Thanks!

  3. Jess

    Hi,

    I need to schedule an appointment to change my name on my social security card. We were told by the local office that they were not accepting appointments, and that we had to mail in documentation. However, mailing in my driver’s license is not an option. How can we make an appointment?

    • Vonda

      Hi Jess, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  4. Sharon R.

    How do I go about using “File and Suspend”
    I have not been able to find that information on the ssa.gov website.

    • William M.

      Your site is helpful, thanks.
      Visit website

    • Vonda

      Hi Sharon, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. If you have reached full retirement age, but are not yet age 70, you can ask us to suspend your retirement benefit payments. By doing this, you will earn delayed retirement credits for each month your benefits are suspended which will result in a higher benefit payment to you.

      Check out our Suspending Your Retirement Benefit Payments web page for more details. We hope this is helpful!

  5. Amy Y.

    I am needing an updated Social Security card after my divorce and name change. I was told I could mail in my health insurance card as proof of identity. Is this correct? My insurance card only has my name on the card but no birthdate, is that still acceptable?

    • Vonda

      Hi Amy, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  6. JohnGerard

    Does this analysis take into account the Covid-19 deaths? Assuming that most are 65 or older, wouldn’t that end social security payments for about 100,000 so far and who knows how many in the future?

    thetermpapers.org

  7. Asia

    How do I get a appointment my named changed on my SS card (just got married). I tried calling my local office but cant get through. Can we schedule online?

    • Asia

      **Appointment to change my named

    • Vonda

      Hi Asia, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

      For additional information on how Social Security can help with your Social Security number, please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page.

  8. Rorison

    Hi, I wanted to get a social seurity card for my newborn that has a Birth of US citizen Aboard- Can I apply online? or mail the application instead of walk in? also can I get it from Social Security Office in a different state ?

    thank you

    • Vonda

      Thank you for using our blog, Rorison. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for the steps on how to get a new, replacement or corrected Social Security card. Step two is the SS-5. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on getting help with your Social Security number. Hopefully this is helpful!

  9. Susan M.

    On December 21, 2020, I called to re-establish the re-entry number to retrun to my application for Social Security Retirement. The representative I spoke with was very pleasant. Instead of giving me the number she insisted on helping me complete the form, most of which I had already done. She told me I would be contacted within 7 working days by our area SS office.

    It is now January 22. I have heard nothing. I asked my wife to make a call for me since I am still working. The first time it took me exactly 60 minutes to speak with someone. She called for me but after holding 30 minutes was told that I needed to be on the line with her before anything could be done. I can’t understand the logic because I get half of Her SS, yet the representative didn’t even try to assist.

    The next thing I tried was calling the local office. I was on hold for 20 minutes. Then I was disconnected from the call. Of course, the office is closed for visitors because of COVID and can only be reached by phone. How convenient.

    I just want to know how to recover the re-entry number. I’m pretty certain I cannot obtain it because I am on my wife’s account.

    Does anyone have a suggestion about how to retrieve the re-entry?

    • Sue

      Hi, Susan. Thanks for using our blog and for your question. If you are filing for benefits for yourself and have lost or forgotten your re-entry number, you can get it by creating or logging into your my Social Security account. To retrieve your re-entry number, click the “Get Re-Entry Number” link found in the “Your Benefit Applications” table. If your claim has been submitted, you can also use your my Social Security account to check the status of your application.

      If you’re unable to check the status online, call 1-800-772-1213 or your local Social Security office. You’ll find the number by using our Office Locator. Please be aware that our call volume and wait times are greater than normal, so we ask for your patience. We hope this information helps.

  10. Sarah c.

    How can you go about getting a replacement social security card during covid 19 closure? My state, Wv, says they’re one that isnt accepting online applications yet.

    • Vonda

      Hi Sarah, 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!

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