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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Marguerite H.
I just want an appointment. the call is no help and neither is there really anyone there?
A.C.
Hi, Marguerite. 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 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.
LS W.
I simply need my name changed as I am now married. I have the forms and documentation. Can I go to another office in the county near me in the same state? The office in the county where I live is overwhelmed and under staffed. Thank you in advance for answering my question.
A.C.
Hi, LS. Thanks for your question. When necessary, we encourage you to visit your servicing field office, however you can visit any Social Security office that is convenient for you. 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.
Georgeann C.
This is an absolute nightmare…I can not believe how we are all treated. I’ve been on hold for 2 hours, I just want to make an appointment. If I worked at my job like this I would be fired! It said over and over to make an appointment go here, go here. There is No page to make one ! I along with all these people on this page are having the same problems. Your most likely a Bot, and saying the same thing over and over. T
Andrea M.
I have been trying to make an appointment since Covid and now that offices are open, I just sit here 30 minutes on hold trying to make an appointment. I am working and cannot spend all day on the phone waiting so that I can make an appointment at my local office. I am trying to change my name since I got married in 2020 and it is impossible to do so, I am so frustrated and btw motor vehicles tells me I need a real ID and need to get this resolved with Social Security….not happy.
A.C.
Hi, Andrea. 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.
Elyda
It’s impossible to get anyone to answer telephones at SSA or local office. I’ve been waiting on the line for over 40 minutes and my question is not addressed online. Terrible service we have ☹️
A.C.
Hi, Elyda. 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.
CF S.
I agree it is impossible to make an appointment. Why don’t you set up a online way to make an appointment? If there is one already you, it is hidden so well no one can find the proce
Dulce
I’m trying to make an appointment over the phone I waited an hour I’m trying get my sons benefit verification letter to does social security office accept walking
A.C.
Hi, Dulce. 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.
J.R.
It is ridiculous that one cannot even make an appt. online at their local office. I am SO tired of waiting on hold and not getting help. I have tried online help and it isn’t helping.
Kanika S.
Hello,
Bottom Line:
I, Mrs. Kanika Sharma, seek your attention for help in my case as I have been given the wrong social security number 5 TIMES (!). Without a SSN, I have an understandable hardship. There is another Woman with a similar name, mother’s name and date of birth who came before me to the USA, and I am getting her SSN all the time.
Background:
In 2020, I came to Delaware from India to reunite with my husband, Aman Singh.
Aman is a well-known businessman in the Wilmington, DE area. (Owner of Clifton Liquors and High Spirits Liquor Store)
I am here under green-card status.
When I arrived, I applied for a SSN — and was given a SSN.
However, from the DMV after 1 year I found out that the SSN I was given had already been issued to two different people who also have the same name of Kanika Sharma.
In December 2021, I had an appointment with the Social Security Administration in Newark, Delaware, to fix my number. I met with a supervisor and explained the situation. I was instructed to sign a document which would discard my previous SSN and was further instructed that I would be receiving my new SSN in the mail.
One month later, in January 2022, I received from the Social Security Administration the same exact SSN as I was previously issued (!). Then I again went to the SSN office 3 more times and got the SSN wrong three more times. 4th Time I was told that this mistake is being done from the back where SSNs are made and shipped as their software is generating the same one again & again. Since then I have been waiting for the new SSN. So I am without SSN and State ID.
Hardship:
Due to this issue, Me and my husband are not able to file our personal taxes since 2020 and I have not been able to obtain employment. I really feel bad for my husband as we also want to buy a house (currently living above our liquor store with all risk) which we are not able to without our taxes. Because of this issue our life is on a pause.
I have sent emails to many places and this is the last hope for me.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Kanika Sharma
302-867-6100
A.C.
Hi, Kanika. We are sorry to hear about your experience and situation. 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. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call or visit. In the meantime, we have referred your concerns to our Operations Staff. We hope this is resolved soon.
Leona D.
I am frustrated in your automated telephone service and on-line information.
I want to make an appointment at my local office.
Where oh where can I do this??? I am referred to the ssa.gov site and after going through the site with a fine tooth comb…. I cannot locate the page where I can set up an appointment.
I call the local Kerrville, TX office only to be put on hold then hung up on after about 20 minutes. This happened twice!!!
Please e-mail me and reply to my question… Where on this ssa.gov site can I make an appointment at my local SSA office?
A.C.
Hi, Leona. 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 helps.
J.R.
Just like Leona, I am also going in circles and not getting the help I need. You advise to visit – How to Get Help from Social Security, but it does NOT address HOW to make an in person appt. at my local office.
James S.
So like everyone else, I want to make an appointment, will be turning 66 in November, hope to be signed up for retirement by next summer.
Please send me contact information and real numbers and email address that works.
A.C.
Hi, James. Thanks for visiting our blog. Did you know can apply for Social Security retirement online? You can complete the application in as little as 15 minutes. To get started, visit our Retirement Planner. For contact information for your local Social Security office, visit here. We hope this helps.
J.R.
Yes, one can apply online and hope, hope, hope it works out. Mine did not, and now I am desperately trying to get help. I was just on hold with my local office for 35 minutes only to have them answer and say they’d call me back sometime before closing today. (It’s 12:30pm now). Wow. Unacceptable.
Jon A.
I am turning 65 in August.
I’ve tried 3 times to apply for medicare online and all 3 times I get stuck on a page that says “something doesn’t match” and that I should go into a SS office in person.
I stood in line until 4pm and was told to go away because I didn’t have an appointment.
I called to set up an appointment over the phone and was kept on hold for over 2 hours at which point the phone call disconnected.
I know you are busy and probably shorthanded as everybody is, but this is ridiculous.
Every avenue I tried to get help was blocked. Can you please tell me how to set up an appointment so I can get registered for Medicare to avoid a penalty?
A.C.
Hi, Jon. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We encourage you to continue working with your local office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. 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.
J.R.
Good luck, Jon! I understand exactly what you are going through.
Laura E.
Today I spoke to a truly awful representative of social security administration. With glee in her voice she pretended to not understand simple terms. She didn’t know what a competency hearing is, and offered to send a pamphlet on applying to SS.
She really enjoyed being unhelpful & eventually gave me a disconnected phone number to my local office.
Shame on you for employing Lea.
A.C.
Hi, Laura. 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 respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you still need assistance and you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Sherri
So let me get this straight……you’ve been transitioning to a new phone system since April and it still doesn’t work???? And what does that have to do with being unable to find anywhere on this website to make an appointment ( which it says everywhere on the website we should do!) Hours and hours of time wasted sitting on hold and getting a constant run around…..Any entity other than the government would have been shut down for this inability to provide services!
Laura E.
Same. After a 30 minute hold time a woman pretending to be too stupid to understand a simple request, gave me a disconnected number for my local office.
She was truly an awful person who enjoyed playing games and pretending to not understand simple terms & requests.
J.R.
I completely agree with you! I searched on their website to find out which offices do not take in person appts, and for California, only the Los Angeles office was listed. So I phone the Lodi office, wait on hold for 35 minutes and am told they ALSO do not take appts, but she’ll call me back sometime in the next 4 hours before they close!!!! Only a government agency would be allowed to do this poor of a job!
Susan B.
Surely, I do not need to go physically to the Soc Security office to make an appointment for sometime in the future? Please DO NOT refer me to the website as it does not give the information I need as to how to schedule an appointment. It just says that one should make an appointment to avoid long wait times. There should be a way to schedule an appointment online! No one answers the phones.
Lisa H.
I so agree with this, why do they not have a place to apply for appointment online!!
Cryst'l
They tell you all over the website to make an appointment to save time, but don’t actually give anywhere to schedule an appointment.
I just checked the nearest locations to me and they’re in shady parts of cities that are both an hour away from me in opposite directions.
It’s 2022 and yet this agency has yet to evolve at all.