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.
Sondra F.
How about listing the hours and days of operation so beneficiaries and readers don’t have to hunt for it.
Vonda V.
Hi Sondra, thanks for using our blog. Because there are many options in how someone may want to conduct business with Social Security, the hours and days depends on the option. For example, our National 800 Number, 1-800-772-1213, allows you to take care of some business by using one of our automated telephone services 24 hours a day without having to wait for a telephone agent. If you cannot handle your business through our automated services, you can speak to a Social Security representative by calling toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. Monday through Friday.
Check out our Contact Us page for all of the ways to work with Social Security.
Sheila C.
My wife Sheila Banasiewicz is 65 yrs.old and is in need of Medicare and a disability claim. We have been to several SSI offices with no help due to being shuttered for the cov19. In three months my wife will be 66 yrs old with no income or health insurance. We have been on the phone countless times to no avail, We are totally frustrated and feel as if we are left alone with nowhere to turn. Please set up an appointment at the Pasco office of SSI . Thank you for your time.
Mr. Chester Banasiewicz
Vonda V.
Hi Chester, thank you for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with Social Security and understand your frustration. 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.
Pim B.
Thanks
Radhames G.
I need my first card
I am resident permanent
Please
I need Job
Vonda V.
Hi Radhames, 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 to you, we will schedule an in-office appointment for a new card request for those with a critical need. 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.
Imelda O.
I am a survivor beneficiary of a US Citizen husband (I am not a US citizen or resident) living in the Philippines, receiving my pension only if I will go to the USA every six months. I would like inquire if I am eligible for the stimulus package given last May, if so, I was not able to receive it. I received my pension through direct deposit to Bank of the Philippine Islands. Thank you for your response on this matter.
Vonda V.
Hi Imelda, thank you for using our blog. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. We hope this helps!
John F.
On 7/30/2020 I sent by certified mail SSA-561 requests for me and my wife. I did so because 2 telephone requests for information related to my problem have still not been answered after over 3 weeks.
Elie Z.
They informed me at the american embassy here in lebanon ?? that I should apply first for my U.S passport one before applying for the social security number at the american embassy in italy ??, please talk to them about my cases here in lebanon that I should have to pay taxes files for you to make for me the passport one
Ashok S.
Is there any provision in SS for retirement benefit of those who have earned less than 40 credit points.
Vonda V.
Hi Ashok, thank you for using our blog. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work). If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later, you can add more credits to qualify. We can’t pay any retirement benefits until you have the required number of credits. Note also that you cannot get more credits by voluntarily contributing money to Social Security. You can earn credits only by working in a job or your own business that is covered under Social Security.
If you have worked in both the United States and another country, there are totalization agreements that help fill gaps in benefit protection. Check out our International Programs web page for more details. We hope this helps!
James S.
Overseas Checks for $1200. I am a U.S. retiree in the Philippines. I receive a monthly Social Security Check by direct deposit to Banco De Oro Universal Bank which is the largest commercial bank in the Philippines. I tried to apply for my school-age daughter’s $500 but the website link would not accept my BDO reference number which is a universal number. I cannot call the social Security number as well.
About C.
Go to Vonage.com (residential) for international calls at a very good flat rate.
About C.
Use Vonage for making international calls
Vonda V.
Hi James, thank you for using our blog. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Mirwais A.
My name is Mirwais Abawe I have a very big problem with my heart and with my financial after you can help me please thank you
Vonda V.
Hi Mirwais, thanks for using our blog. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application.
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.