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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Michelle
Can I go online to make an appointment at the Puyallup, WA office?
Yvette K.
Hi can you setup an appointment for me in Salisbury, NC. I tried calling several times.
A.C.
Hi, Yvette. Thank you 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.
Michelle B.
How can a person make a in person appointment for the Richmond California Social Security Office for applying for Social Security. Having trouble figuring things out without help.
A.C.
Hi, Michelle. 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. Keep in mind, we respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Doris C.
Held for an hour on 8/17 before getting to talk to representative who spent another 30 minutes on the phone and did not get problem resolved. Referred to local office and today I am again on hold. Local office number transferred to main line. Just need an appointment to get claim resolved. Cannot do that online. Guess I am going to have to pack a lunch and go sit at the local office and wait for someone to become available. They confirmed that they have my claim submitted 4/11/22, but it is in the local office, who doesn’t answer the phone and yes I am disgusted with the number of times I am being “thanked” for holding and told someone will be with the shortly. Maybe they should implement a “call back option” like AT&T has.
They are withholding 21% for my medicare payment. When I was working I made too much money to qualify for the standard medicare payment so I paid a penalty. Finally after another hour of speaking with a representative today 8/19, I have an appointment for them to call me on 10/13. Excuse is that they have limited people working. I don’t understand since most everyone in the private sector is either working in the office or working from home.
Aniket J.
Hi. Can I come at your office on Tampa, FL (postal code 33618) today as a walk in?
A.C.
Hi, Aniket. 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.
Clara T.
I have spoken twice, this year, to a social security representative to get projections of my current widows pension and my own benefit so I can plan my future cash flow. The first person said they would mail the schedules to me. I never got them.
The second person said they were unable to access the information and someone would call me back. No one called.
Now I’m on call waiting hoping to make an appointment at my local office so I can get the schedules. This is very frustrating. It shouldn’t be this hard to contact social security and/or to make an appointment.
A.C.
Hi, Clara. 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.
Virgilio A.
Tried to file online for retirement and asking for my naturalization certificate which I lost and don’t have the dates needed.
Can I use my us passport instead?
A.C.
Hi, Virgilio. Thanks for visiting our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Darren B.
My name is Darren Brown, I received paperwork In the mail that I need to reply to. They sent it on my phone but would not let me reply. Could you resend it on my mother’s email. diannelb523@oashutlook.com. or can I get an appt at puyallup,wa
A.C.
Hi, Darren. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Yu H.
I tried to make an appointment by phone, first, it says I should call local number. Then I was put on hold for one and 20 minutes. Why cannot schedule on line? Unbelievable!
Kathaleen M.
Can I go to any field office to verify my birth certificate? They gave me the number to an office that is not located near me.
A.C.
Hi, Kathatleen. 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.
hal
All of these auto responses, the best way to get us is the website, the website says call for an appointment, then when you call, you send us to the website. Ya”ll are sitting there laughing your butts off!! I just need to make an appointment, 6 hours on hold, and please do not hit me the the auto response again!