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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Sumit P.
How can I apply for a new Social Security Number since I have just immigrated to US on a green card 3 weeks earlier.
I tried calling for an appoinment BUT unfortunately the offices were only operating on Online services and since I am a new applicant I need to apply in person.
Could you please give your opinion on my issue.
V.V.
Hi Sumit, 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 the Social Security Office Locator under “Social Security Office Information” for the office you select. The toll-free “Office” number is your local office.
Kat
I need to process a name change for a minor. I was told that they need to physically see my drivers license, passport or state issued id. Or the lady I spoke to said I could mail my drivers license into my local office. I asked how I’m supposed to drive while they have it and she said that was my problem. If other gov facilities are open such as the DMV, why can’t SS offices open & make appointments?
V.V.
Hi Kat, thank you for using our blog. Our offices remain closed to the public for face-to-face service. We are still able to provide critical services via phone, fax and online. For more information and to subscribe for updates, visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. We hope this helps.
Brittany T.
if fax and email options are available why can’t we send our documents that way? You are literally asking us to break the law by sending our drivers license in through mail and not having one to carry on us
Danny T.
When are the office’s gonna open back up? Im not having any luck using the website. Need help with retirement.
V.V.
Hi Danny, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing difficulties with our online services. 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.
Donna G.
The IRS agent I spoke with to find out where our stimulus check was said that they were not able to verify when my husband & I got our SS #’s. I got mine in Wyoming in 1968. My husband got his in Wyoming around 1983 when he came to USA from England. I am a US citizen, born in CO. My husband is a permanent resident. We have still not gotten a stimulus check for either of us. Is it possible that our SS #’s were used by someone else? We really need the money. Hopefully you can help us straighten out this problem. My birthdate is 2-5-1952; my SS# is XXXXXXXXX, my husband’s date of birth is 3-10-1944; his SS# is XXXXXXXX.
Kat
You really shouldn’t have your SS numbers on here for everyone to see.
V.V.
Hi Donna, thanks for using our blog. 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.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels.
Kammy
I recently got married and need to change my last name on my social security card, but all locations are closed and I can’t do anything online. How do I get an updated card? I’ve called but I get left on hold for over an hour.
V.V.
Hi Kammy, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.
Amanda C.
I cannot mail in drivers lic< what other options are there?
Paula B.
Last week I received a letter from SSA saying I owe. $9,486.00. I don’t have a way to pay this. The only income I have is the $1374.00 the SSA sends me. If you withhold this benefit I will loose my home and my car. I am still looking for work as my plan is to work at least until my FRA. Please help me understand how I owe money when I am not working and this is suppose to be a benefit?
V.V.
Hi Paula, thank you for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to your overpayment information in this venue. Our Overpayments factsheet offers information on options for repaying as well as appeal and waiver rights. For further assistance, 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.
Sandra S.
I need to speak to an agent, but when I call between 7 and 7, I am told that I need to call back between 7 and 7. Very frustrating!
V.V.
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. 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. You can also 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.
Lucila C.
Last month, I applied for monthly retirement benefit effective my 70th birthday, October 19, 2020. Please confirm that you have received it so I can expect it effective October, 2020. Thanks.
Lucila Carbo
V.V.
Hi Lucila, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. 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.
Amanda
Amanda MoRgan on 12/13/1980 . I’m 40 I want to apply disability unemployment how do I do about that ?
V.V.
Hi Amanda. 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.
We are unable to answer questions about unemployment insurance as each state administers its own program. Learn more here.
Gayla J.
I’m 61 an on disability do I have to appy for S.S. if i do how do i go about doing that
V.V.
Hi Gayla, thanks for using our blog. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when you become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time. We hope this helps!