COVID-19, General, Online Services

Providing Greater Access to Our Services

April 25, 2022 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

Social Security Administration LogoWe continue to welcome people back to our offices for in-person service with or without an appointment. As we help more people in person, we want to highlight the best ways and times to access our services by phone or in person. We also encourage you to visit our website to conduct your business online if you can. Our online services are secure and convenient. Going online or calling us can save you a trip to a busy office.

Can’t complete your business online?

If you can’t complete your business online, you can call us toll-free at 18007721213. You may reach us faster by contacting us when our telephones and offices may be less busy. Our National 800 Number may be less busy before 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7p.m local time, or later in the week. Like in our offices, waits on our phone lines are generally shorter later in the month. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 18003250778.

We recommend calling our National 800 Number before calling your local office. If our representatives can’t help, they can schedule a local office appointment for you.

Are you considering visiting an office?

Our offices are very busy and wait times without an appointment can be long. We tend to be less busy later in the day, later in the week, and later in the month.

Appointments are strongly recommended, though we continue to help people without one. An appointment reduces your wait time and ensures you know what documents to bring, so we can help you quickly in one visit.

Please visit our website to learn what you need to know before you visit our offices. For example, everyone must wear a mask and physically distance from other customers and employees. Due to current space restrictions, local offices have limits on who may join you if you need help during your visit.

Online, by phone, and in person, we are committed to helping you. Please share this information with friends and family – and post it on social media.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Bonnie G.

    Thankful for our Area 2 Public Affairs Specialist here in Illinois. She always sends informative fellow Colleague messages to share with our consumers and our neighbors. I would recommend extended hours since the backlog is consistently revolving due to this Public Health Emergency. People are starving for answers to their concerns.

  2. Bobbi L.

    I just waited 49 minutes on the phone and then the robot came on the phone to tell me that there is no one to take my call and to call back. Geez – why couldn’t the robot tell me that at minute 1 instead of minute 49! Hire more people. call people back to in person work. My tax payer monies funds your salary – your customers deserve better!

    • James

      Same for me. Had no results when we went into the office before the closure. Everyone is nice but there is no resulting action. Pay an INTERIM payment. Clear up details when you work it through. People are suffering, pay first. You know the persons age, the way they filed for income tax purposes, pay an INTERIM Payment to allay the suffering. Pay interest because these delays are not our fault. Anything not cleared up in 60 days, pay interest.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Bobbi. We apologize for any problems you may have when you call us as we modernize our telephone system. We are working with our telephone system providers to fix these issues. Most local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office. We hope this helps.

  3. Sandra v.

    My husband passed away four years ago and he was a veteran I have tried to get a windows pension I have a mortgage and I am raising two grandchildren I need help with getting a windows pension and I will be 60 in December I don’t get any help

  4. Luke P.

    Today is 26 but I haven’t received my SSA payment though I came to local Social Security Administration twice and I was assured that I will receive it in 3 days. Please speed it up.
    Thank you for your assistance

    • A.C.

      Hi, Luke. We are sorry to hear that. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office for specific concerns. We hope this is resolved soon. 

  5. IRFAN K.

    I HAVE LITTLE INCOME THAT IS WHY I CAN NOTKEEP A PHONE AND ITS EXP. SO YOU ISSUE
    ME A SPECIAL CODE. eMAIL ME.

  6. Barry S.

    What death benefits do SS
    Offer. Buried expenses?
    I am aware my spouse will receive the higher SS from my Ss since line is higher
    And at that point she will stop receiving hers

    • bettyg, i.

      $255 BURIAL EXPENSES ONLY!
      ********************************
      no change since they created them during ww2.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Barry. It sounds like you are refferring to the Lump Sum Death Benefit. The Lump-Sum Death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment) may be payable upon the death of a person who has worked long enough to be insured under Social Security. Only eligible family members may be able to receive the one-time payment and  monthly survivor benefits. For more information on this, please read How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.

  7. Helen Y.

    I need to make an knew account because I just turn 73 Amen 🙏🏽 on my birthday Amen 🙏🏽

  8. Kathy M.

    What is the reason for not allowing 24 hour access to the website?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kathy. Thanks for question. We apologize for any inconvenience and invite you to use all of our online services today. Due to scheduled systems maintenance, some of our Online Services were unavailable during certain times.

  9. Dolores B.

    Then why did I get turned down 5 times?

  10. jing h.

    no question

Comments are closed.