COVID-19, General, Online Services

Social Security Administration to Resume In-Person Services at Local Social Security Offices

April 4, 2022 • By

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Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Social Security Administration LogoI 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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  1. Mel

    Ive been on hold for 27 mins now.. This is the third time i have called in a week. Last two times i got a “no one is available to answer your call. GOOD BYE” and the phone hung up! This is try number three.. I cannot reach a soul to help. Why in the world cant we make appointments online. I need to speak to someone in person! This is so terribly frustrating. Plus the elevator music is just awful to listen to this long.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Mel. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. 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.

  2. Lynerre S.

    I was on SSI for almost 10 years into a mental issue I cannot do anything on my appointment I am about to be on the phone and I have been trying to get ahold of SSI now for a year I cut off I’ve had no income per year you guys are a piece of f****** s***

  3. Tony

    We are probably going to be screwed out of our COLA raise for next year 2023.

    Biden released 1 million barrels a day from the Oil Reserve for the next six months. This will lower gas cost until the end of the third quarter which determines our COLA. Gas prices will jump up after we get a small COLA for the third quarter.

    The Federal Reserve said they were going to get aggressive on lowering inflation the second half of this year which is the third quarter. The third quarter determines the COLA for government and union members pay.

    The Federal Reserve says higher government spending and wages mean higher inflation. The Federal Reserve will kill two birds with one stone the third quarter.

    There was a 5.8% COLA in 2008. There was a 5.9% COLA in 2022. It is going to be a repeat of 2008 with no COLA for the following year.

    The SSA unions won’t know what hits their members. They got away with not coming into the office to work all this time, but probably won’t be getting a large COLA raise the end of this year.

  4. Elaine S.

    I received my SSA 1099 but the amount stated in box 3 (direct deposited $xxxx) is NOT the amount deposited into my acct. I received a much less amount. Who can I speak to about this? Amounts listed for attorney fees are also wrong; as well as amounts listed in footnotes (backpack). This is all so confusing. I can’t reach anyone from SSA. please help.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Elaine. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. 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.

       

       

  5. Walt

    Hope SSA is ready for a tidal wave of customers in urban areas showing up without appointments.
    Traffic chaos in parking lots should make the local news!!

  6. Snehal P.

    I have applied to SSN card for the first time by 11 th March and now it’s almost more than 4 weeks I didn’t receive it. I have called multiple times but did not get any proper solution. They ordered replacement card which also not received yet. Please advise

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Snehal. 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 office for assistance. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. We hope this is resolved soon. 

  7. John A.

    Like thousands of others, I have tried to get an appointment at our local office. The second they answer the phone goes dead.

    I am 28 miles from this office. My problem has to be solved in person.

    38 minutes on hold on the national phone number Andy call is dropped.

    Why are offices not open?

    • Cindy

      The same thing keeps happening to me. If you get any answers can you please let me know

      • Jeff R.

        Yes, they should be open now.

    • Paula

      They are now open

    • Ann C.

      Hi, John. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. 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.

       

  8. Virginia J.

    I have been waiting on the phone for quite a while for the past 2 weeks. I’m no longer receiving my SSI since SSA notified me that I have had an increase in my income since SSA was tagged from IRS saying I received a large amount in my income tax return when I filed tax year 2020. I never received this large amount and only refund I received was $36.34 from IRS. Please verify your records and let me know your results. I’m very upset and has stressed me out with all this noncense.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Virginia. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security officeWait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day.  We hope this helps.

  9. Anna

    My husband applied for the SS retirement benefits and received a letter from SS in Chicago office to call back before April 10. He called at least three times every day for last several days and left messages to the assigned agent to call him back. He never heard back. When he tried different toll free numbers, he was told to call assigned agent. It is insane.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Anna. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for any problems your husband may have when he calsl us as we modernize our telephone system. We are working with our telephone system providers to fix these issues. We encourage him to continue to work with his local office. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this is resolved soon. 

  10. Cindy L.

    I don’t understand why mental health isn’t including in the determination of the alj one of the issues I had is the day that I was denied I had hours to live not days I ended up with a colonostomy another surgery and the ileostomy and the alj is remanded and this was in 2020 and I still haven’t heard anything he tried to set up a phone hearing which I sent in notice no phone hearing no video and he’s not going by the administration and remanding so what should I do

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Cindy. 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 ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Cindy. 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 ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

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