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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: COVID-19, online services
See CommentsAbout the Author
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Sonya J.
The SSA office is really putting people and their lives in jepordy. At this point, the local offices should be open by appointments. The employees can wear masks and have shields up between customer and themselves. People need in person service that cannot be done online. Texas DMV is open by appointment, I don’t understand why the SSA offices are not open if you put safety precautions in place. Limiting the number of people in the building and requiring masks.
This is ridiculous!!!
Kshirabdi
Hi, I have applied for my SSN in I765 form while applying my EAD. I have received my EAD now but due to some reason the information sent from USCIS is not received by SSN office.
I am trying to get an appointment to apply SSN since last 3 weeks but they are not scheduling any appointment. Can you please confirm how long i have to wait for the appointment now?
V.V.
Hi Kshirabdi, thanks for using our blog. Please continue to work with 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.
Linda
My sister applied for social security spousal support in September. Her claim is still being processed as of March 3, 2021. She has called every month and at times received completely opposite information. She was assured by some representatives that her case was being processed. Then in January she was told that her case was closed but the person could not give her any information. However, when she called back someone said the case was being processed.
She desperately needs the money but it seems she is lost in limbo. She has never received a letter from social security. She hasn’t had a vaccine and is afraid to go to a social security office. The situation is pretty dire. She is borrowing money and going to food banks. There seems to be no way to get answers.
V.V.
For your security, Linda, 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 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.
Joni S.
Does my local social security administration office have a safe drop off box for paper applications and other documents?
My local office is in Corpus Christi, TX
George M.
What is the current average processing time for SSA benefit applications during the pandemic? I submitted an application for spousal benefits in the middle of Nov 2020 and the My Social Security portal says no decision has been made yet. Can you give an estimate as to when the decision should be finalized by?
V.V.
Hi George, thanks for using our blog. You should 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.
Pam
I had my Social Security for benefits phone appointment a few days ago and provided all the information I was asked. Do I need to do something in order for SS to obtain my medical records or does SS has access to them directly?
V.V.
Hi Pam, thanks for using our blog. When you apply for disability benefits, we will ask for medical evidence that you already have in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors’ reports, and recent test results.
For complete details on the disability application process, including information and documents you will need, check out our Disability Benefits web page.
Kathy A.
I have tried multiple times to wait the hour and half on the phone for a representative to assist in signing up for Medicare. How can I make an appointment with the office in Dallas, Texas to obtain assistance? It doesn’t matter what SS telephone number you call, the recordings are all the same. It would be great if you had the option to leave a call back number and have them call you back when it’s your turn. Thank you.
V.V.
Hi Kathy, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.
If you already have Medicare Part A and need to sign up for Medicare Part B, there are some forms that you will need to complete and submit. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for options on how to submit those forms.
If you need to speak to a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or 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.
Michelle c.
“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.”
I did! yet my sons payments are suspended due to circumstances beyond my control…I needed a simple service.. just a replacement packet for re eval. I couldnt get anyone on the phone, so I sent a letter to request a new packet, instead they sent me a notice of suspension, I got rep on nat. ssi # within ten days to rectify this and he tries to get ahold of local office while im on hold.. he gets no answer, but says by making contact that the suspension would be cancelled and that he sent a request to have local office contact me by mail or phone Never happened..now 25 days later I called again an I’m told nothing could be done to help me since I had to talk to local office…. Which is closed and the phone is always busy…I tried the mail already…finally I get a phone appt. made for two months from now, No payments during that time. ATTN: SSI COVID is a pandemic not a vacation. Agencies are failing to provide nessesary access people need in order to provide the agencies with what they demand.
Jennifer
Hi my 2 year olds social security card was stolen i need replacement for obvious reasons.. but on the application it says not to mail it that it will get mailed back. Where do I send it? The local number is NEVER available every time I try and I’ve been trying for months! It tells me everyone’s busy call again later…how are they helping if you can never reach them? Where do I send it? please help!
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, Jennifer. That is not something that you can do online. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child. To learn more on the process and what documents you and your child will need to get a card, please visit our Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card web page. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address where you will mail the application and required documentation. We hope this helps.
John B.
Vonda,
All the offices are closed. Do they still receive mail and process the applications?
S.D.
Hi, John, and thanks for your question. Our offices are receiving mail and processing applications. Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more details on how Social Security is providing critical services. You can find the contact information, including mailing address and phone number, for your local Social Security office using our Office Locator. We hope this helps!
Mariam
Hi there I want to know how long does it take to receive a social security as I did apply for my husband to get his social security after our marriage and the uscis sent a notice on November 7th that they are working on his case but we receive it in October so do you known a certain amount of time that it might take like the typical range time
V.V.
For your security, Mariam, 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 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.