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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Reece M.
My mom supposed to receive a call at 10:30AM on 8/29, and no call at all. Called the SSA local office, and they said they are backing up with calls. Asked for the ETA, the agent tells nothing beside asking to wait. Seeing other people’s comments here, I am expecting no call from SSA at all for months. What is going on with the service?
A.C.
Hi, Reece. We are sorry to hear about your mother’s experience. If she still needs assistance, please contact her local Social Security office. She can ask to speak to a manager on her next call or visit. She can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take her to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where she can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Janet J.
I had a phone appointment on Aug 4th at 10:30. no call. I called around noon and was told they were behind and to just wait. No call that day or the next. I called back and was told they would send a message and have someone make me a new appointment and send me a letter with the new time. Nothing so far and its now Aug 25th. She also said I could make an appointment with my local office but wouldn’t give me the number. When I try looking it up it only list the 800 number to the main office. Website says you can make an appointment but doesn’t tell you how on line. I have also sent 2 emails with no response
A.C.
Hi, Janet. We are sorry to hear about your experience. If this is a time sensitive issue, you may want to visit your local office. 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.
Desi
I too had an appointment for 8/26 at 10:30. I made this appointment July 8th. I am trying to apply for spousal benefits as my husband passed away. I received NO call and when I called to let them know they said they tried to call and were on to the next appt. My next appt is not until Oct 20th. This is all really a shame.
A.C.
Hi, Desi. We are sorry to hear about your loss and experience. If you still need assistance, please contact your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor 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 helps.
Christina N.
I was supposed to have a telephone appointment yesterday at 11:30 am but nobody ever called. I finally got a hold of someone at my local office she offered to look up mu account and help me, half way through our conversation she started flipping out telling me she was going to end our conversation if I was going to yell at her. I never yelled at her nor was I rude at all, when I pointed that out to her she hung up on me. I am left utterly confused by this interaction. I still haven’t received any help with my original issue and now I need to find put how to file a formal complaint against this woman and my local office
A.C.
Hi, Christina. We are sorry to hear about your 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 helps.
Margo V.
That happened to me as well
Judith B.
I drove 40 miles to the Hernanado, MS SSA office to apply for auxillary spousal benefits today. I had no appointment; however, only 4 other people were being served. I only waited a short time & then was called. The representative would not process my request, but instead gave me a telephone appointment over a month from now. The website states walk-in service without appointments has resumed, but the rep stated they “are still under covid restrictions” as the reason I’ve been postponed & given a telephone appointment. She was seated behind a glass window & I was wearing a mask! I had all my documents; they were not busy. I prefer in-person appointments. Why was I forced to take a telephone appointment over a month away? I am 81 years old.
A.C.
Hi, Judith. 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.
Elaine
Hello – I spoke to SS rep a month ago who sent a request to the Torrance CA office to call/set an appt with me. I have not heard back. I made several attempts with the 800 line to no avail. I want to apply for survivors benefits which cannot be done online. I would like to make an appointment at the Torrance CA office for 8/29 or 8/30 first thing in the morning. Please let me know if there’s a way to schedule an appointment. Thank you.
Brian M.
you do not need an appoinment I was just at my local office yesterday. Just go there with all your documentations
A.C.
Hi, Elaine. 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.
bcandfs
Agree 100%! And you should be able to schedule a consultation with a professional who handles cases similar to yours. https://bcandfs.com/
Agnes M.
I have tried for three days to get through to a rep on the phone. I waited over 30 minutes each time and had to hang up. I am 92 and this is so confusing. I am trying to set up an appointment to discuss a letter I received this week. It is difficult for me to do things online.
A.C.
Hi, Agnes. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. Keep in mind wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter early in the day (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time). We are also less busy later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month. We hope this is resolved soon.
Mikael E.
Are you required to go to the SS office in the county you live in, or can you go to any SS office as long as they offer the services you require?
A.C.
Hi, Makeal. 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.
Guam
Which field office is now open and resuming actual in person assistance for walk in or appointed in California?
A.C.
Hi, Guam. 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.
Katerina R.
Hello: As a person who represents a beneficiary and in which the Soc. Security agency has make a determination to appoint a different representative, I’m in need to make an appointment to the local Mayaguez – Puerto Rico local office to comply with the request sent by this agency. I work a full time job and I need to coordinate the date with my Employer. I’ve tried to call the agencies on multiple ocassions and have left about 4 messages to the local agency representative at the extension given by the Beneficiary but all actions have failed to no avail. I’ve gone to this website to see how to make an appointment and there is no information to that particular effect. Please, I appreciate if clear instructions can be provided to make an appointment to resolve the matter at bar. Thank you in advanced.
A.C.
Hi, Katerina. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We encourage you to continue to work with the local 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.