Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
I am pleased to announce that local Social Security offices will restore in-person services, including for people without an appointment, on April 7, 2022.
To avoid waiting in line, I strongly encourage people who can, to use our online services, call us, and schedule appointments in advance rather than walking in without an appointment.
Phone appointments can save you a trip to a busy office. I thank the public for your patience as we work to increase service.
Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays and longer waits at our offices. Before coming to an office, we encourage you to visit our Emergency page to check the office status. Be aware that our offices tend to be the busiest first thing in the morning, early in the week, and during the early part of the month, so people may want to plan to visit at other times.
Given that many of the people we serve have health vulnerabilities, and consistent with our union agreements, we are continuing to require certain safety measures including masking (regardless of local guidance), physical distancing, and self-health checks for COVID-19 symptoms. We will provide masks to the public and employees if they need them.
Online Services and telephone remain the most convenient ways to contact the agency.
Most Social Security services are available to the public online and with a my Social Security account, or by telephone. And most Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. People may create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service, on our website. Many Social Security services are also conveniently available by dialing toll-free, 1‑800‑772‑1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security’s TTY number, 1‑800‑325‑0778.
As we transition to a new modern phone system, some people may experience a busy signal or be unintentionally disconnected from their call. We sincerely regret this disruption and recommend people call when our National 800 Number may be less busy, such as before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. local time or later in the week. Like our offices, our waits are generally shorter later in the month.
To learn more, please visit our Online Services page.
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Tags: COVID-19, General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services
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Susan B.
I have tried now for months to call and make an appointment to visit the local Soc Sec office on Olympic Boulevard in Westwood Los Angeles as recommended on your website. No one answers the phone. I have waited for hours each time I have called for a representative to answer the phone and schedule the appointment, to no avail – I cannot find the information online. I need an appointment.
A.C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your frustration. 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. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Rachel B.
I am very disappointed in the service provided through the pandemic by the SSA. I tried multiple times to find a way of making an in person appointment with my local office, and it was impossible. I sat on the phone for literally hours; even when I eventually (after four hours) got a response, it was only – contact your local office. And my local office never responded, no one ever answered the phone; on two occasions I sat for an entire morning while the phone just rang and rang. Long after everyone else in my state (Kansas) went back to in person, including the local government offices, the federal offices remained closed. It isn’t surprising that people ask what our taxes pay for; in my experience, they pay for federal employees to sit at home for two years not answering the phone. I’m never going to get back the forty plus hours I sat waiting for a response that never came. Please don’t apologize and blame your phone system as you’ve done for others that have had the same experience. That isn’t enough.
A.C.
Hi, Rachel. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. Keep in mind 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.
Mary D.
I also had issues when calling s.s. office . It took a few months of calling . I finally got some answers about incorrect
amounts for my benefits.
Three different people had given different information and said they are correcting the benefits.
I made 3 visits to s.s. office for
some soild answers why my benefits keep changing & some cases stopped.
7 months of this is enough time especially when I provided all documents when I retired & first signed up. Then when you walk in because the issues are not resolved, agents only allow 15 minutes to speak to you.
It’s taken me before & after covid just to be seen in the office and to provide the same paperwork for the 2en time.
It would be promising to know
After all this time if my benefits are gonna be correct.
When you work to full retirement age expecting to count on some benefits just to find out benefits start & stop .
Lots of things to consider when you become seniors .
Hope I can get solid repare & back on track .
A.C.
Hi, Mary. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Autumn
I’ve been trying to get an appointment for over two years to get my child’s ss card. Always on hold for hours I’ve done applications I’ve never gotten the card and I’m getting really frustrated so do I just show up to a nearby office???
A.C.
Hi, Autumn. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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.
Sherri
Hi Ann……I would love to know how we are supposed to make an appointment for our local office…..I’ve combed through the website and, while it encourages us to make appointments, it provides NOWHERE to do that! I am, as I type, sitting on hold with my local office after having spent an hour on hold with my 2nd call to the main 800 number after having been told that I had to have an appointment with my local office ( which does not allow your call center to make an appointment) and that the local office would call me back within 7 business days, which they amazingly, did not do….Now I’ve wasted another hour to be told that ” this doesn’t usually happen and they now have to contact you within 2 days “…..And I was told that if I drive myself down to the local office I will very likely not be allowed in because I don’t have an appointment!! Can you see where this is frustrating??? This shouldn’t be this hard, I can make an appointment online with a massage therapist, it’s not rocket science!
A.C.
Hi, Sherri. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this information is helpful.
Sheila C.
Unable to get appt with local social security office
The first time I was on hold for an hour just to be told someone would call me to make the appointment
I called back when I didn’t hear back in a week, again on hold for over an hour.
Is it best just to show up to make an appointment?
A.C.
Hi, Sheila. Thanks for visiting our blog. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our move to a more modern telephone system has affected our ability to help you when calling our offices. Thank you for your patience as we continue to upgrade our telephone system. For other ways to contact us, please 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 information is helpful.
Cynthia S.
Why do I have to be on hold for 40 minutes just to make an appointment?
A.C.
Hi, Cynthia. Thanks for visiting our blog. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our move to a more modern telephone system has affected our ability to help you when calling our offices. Thank you for your patience as we continue to upgrade our telephone system. For other ways to contact us, please 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.
Tom J.
I am attempting to get an appointment with my Social Security, but have not been able to reach any one who can can schedule one. Do I need to to go to the office just to get an appointment some time in the future?
A.C.
Hi, Tom. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our move to a more modern telephone system has affected our ability to help you when calling our offices. Thank you for your patience as we continue to upgrade our telephone system. For other ways to contact us, please 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.
Leola F.
I have been in final decision on my deceased spouses SSI and death benefit for 7 months. SSA has received all the info required by them to make it all happen. I have called twice a month for the last 4 months, left message with the rep in charge. There has been NO communication from the phone calls or any letters updating me on anything. What is the next step to get this issue resolved. Death benefits should not be expected to take so long when all the needed documents are in the file and all that is lacking is the final say so from the person in charge. Is there someone that I can turn to that can expedite this issue?
A.C.
Hi, Leola. We are sorry to hear about your loss and experience. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call or visit. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
Jolita c.
It about it new social security card
Jolita c.
Make the appointment for tomorrow
Jolita c.
Yes I want appointment for tomorrow morning
Virginia C.
I have been calling SS for weeks only to hang up after almost an hour waiting each time (48.26 right now). I am trying to verify if documentation I submitted verifying missing wages on my account was received and when can I expect to see a benefit adjustment on my account. So far I am unable to speak to anyone or make an appointment. I prefer a walk in appointment but haven’t had any luck.
A.C.
Hi, Virginia. Thanks for your comment. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our move to a more modern telephone system has affected our ability to help you when calling our offices. Thank you for your patience as we continue to upgrade our telephone system. 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.
Jolita c.
It about get a new social security card I want to make appointment for tomorrow morning or another day
Jolita c.
Make appointment for tomorrow
A.C.
Hi, Jolita. Thanks for visiting our blog. 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.
Brad M.
Need appt. at the Burbank office. Was on hold for 40 minutes before I had to hang up.
A.C.
Hi, Brad. Thanks for visiting our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our move to a more modern telephone system has affected our ability to help you when calling our offices. Thank you for your patience as we continue to upgrade our telephone system. 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.