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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Pansy B.
I am a Canadian Citizen married to an American citizen. We live in NL, Canada. I need to get a SS number in order to get benefits from my husband’s Social Security. I am trying to find out if I need to make an appointment to do so at the Social Security office in Bangor, Maine. Some websites say yes, lady on phone said no….so do I need an appointment or not? Please help!
Ann C.
Hi, Pansy. 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. For specific information about how to apply for a Social Security card, please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. We hope this helps.
Lisa f.
Turning 65. Want to apply for medicare. Soc sec acct cant verify my identity. Tried numerous times. Called to set up appt. No appointments available. Calendar is full at all 3 offices. I turn 65 in a month. They said they would call back in 7 days to set up appt. No one has called.What do i do to get medicare.
Ann C.
Hi, Lisa. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For assistance with creating your personal my Social Security account, the Login.gov contact center will assist you through the Login.gov proofing flow only i.e. to help create, sign in and manage your login.gov account. This is done only through their online web support page (https://login.gov/contact/) where you can submit your questions/concerns. Though you can submit your questions at any time, login.gov’s customer support operating hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and it could take up to two business days for their customer support agents to respond to inquiries.
For ID.me registration and/or authentication process, you should contact ID.me through their customer support page on https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/360005564453-Verifying-for-the-Social-Security-Administration. The page also allows you to submit your requests for any inquiries https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/requests/new.
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 information is helpful.
Deborah K.
I am 70 years old and currently having medical, financial, and emotional problems with no support system. I do not currently drive. I am finding it incresingly difficult to care for myself and my home. I would like to know if there is someone who helps people in a situation like mine.
Ann C.
Hi, Deborah. We are sorry to hear about your situation. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Judy C.
Deborah, you need to contact your local Adult Protective services. You really need a social worker. You health insurance may also have social services benifits. I wish I was there to advise you.
John K.
I cannot get through to the Raleigh NC office to make an appointment. It is not clear if I can walk in.
I need to change my SS start date from July to September. Cannot do it on the national line, must do local. Can I mail the request in? Seems hopeless to go to the local office.
HELP ME PLEASE! Thanks
Ann C.
Hi, John. 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 Social Security 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. We hope this helps.
Ginny D.
I need to make appt. at my local SS office.
Ann C.
Hi, Ginny. 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.
Amir A.
I need to change my name on my SS card. I need an In-Person appointment at local office in Houston.
Ann C.
Hi, Amir. Thanks for visiting our blog. For more information about how to change your name on your Social Security card, visit our Social Security Card and Number page. 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.
Florida P.
I need to change my name in the social security card. Can I make an appointment please
Ann C.
Hi, Florida. Thanks for visiting our blog. For more information about how to change your name on your Social Security card, visit our Social Security Card and Number page. 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.
Sandra B.
Need benefit letter. Have a S.s. Online account but couldn’t remember user name or password so now I have to wait for a mailed code and manager wants it asap.
Ann C.
Hi, Sandra. We are sorry to hear about your situation. If this is a time sensitive issue, you may wish 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. We hope this helps.
George G.
Does the social security office in Lawrence have in person appointments
Ann C.
Hi, George. Thanks for your question. For specific operating status information for local offices, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Dani, J.
Hi I am trying to get appointment in person for my childrens benifit, calling on phone but seems no one is answering for 2 hours. Went to near social security office they told me that they are not seeing in person but told will call me after two months!! What should I do.
Ann C.
Hi, Dani. We are sorry to hear you did not receive the level of customer service you expected, and we can understand your frustration. 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.
Kimberly,B
Omg! Lenise, M. My exact complaint too! I’ve been trying for 2 days to make an appt. @ the local Rochester, NY office! I’m in a desperate situation, need to be payee for my 86 yr. old Mother before her grandaughter takes all her SS this mth. AGAIN!!! Well, I pray the SSA tech’s get this fixed fast!!
Ann C.
Hi, Kimberly. 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. 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.
Monica D.
Hello,
FYI..there is an error in trying to locate (Looking for a local office?) “local field office,” it states the following error messages on all the locator links provided “We Did Not Find The Page You Requested” Please update this information as a possible. Thank you
Blanche T.
I need a print out of my benefits
Blanche T.
I need an apt.for print out of my benefits
Ann C.
Hi, Blanche. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by creating a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Lenise M.
What a disappointment! Why not have an online system to schedule an appointment? I have tried 4 times to call and schedule an appointment. The longest on hold for 2 hours. Seriously? How are we supposed to schedule an appointment when no one answers the phone?
Ann C.
Hi. Lenise. We are sorry to hear that. 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. 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.