Social Security Is Improving Our National 800 Number and Reducing Call Wait Times
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 18, 2024
Social Security launched a national 800 number in October 1988. Today, our agents answer more than 28 million phone calls a year. Our new telephone platform makes it even easier to connect with us.
Why use our 800 number?
For more than 35 years, our toll-free number has been an easy way to contact Social Security without the need to travel to a local office. Our national 800 number – 1-800-772-1213 – allows you to access information and services with just a phone call, saving you time and money. It is especially helpful if you live in a rural or remote area, have limited mobility or transportation issues, or juggle a busy schedule.
For many people, the fastest and most convenient way to conduct business with us is online at www.ssa.gov. If you cannot or prefer not to use our online services, our enhanced telephone system offers new features that allow us to better serve you – whether you’re calling to update your personal record, check on the status of an application or appeal, or request a replacement Social Security card.
Our improved Call Back Assist feature saves your place in line without you having to wait on hold to speak with a representative. That means you can go about your day until a representative returns your call.
Our 800 number offers services in English and Spanish and interpreters in more than 200 languages and dialects. Our free interpreter services ensure most callers can access information and services in the language they prefer.
We also continue to offer teletypewriter (TTY) services for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have difficulty using a traditional phone.
Wait times on our national 800 number are longer than we would like, mainly because of hiring and staffing challenges. We’re worked hard to reduce wait times and have cut the average wait nearly in half – from 24 to 13 minutes. We’re putting into place new technology and business practices so we can shorten wait times even more and improve the customer experience. By the end of fiscal year 2025, our goal is to answer our 800 number calls within an average of 12 minutes.
Reducing call wait times is one of Commissioner Martin O’Malley’s top priorities, and he’s committed to providing the public with prompt and reliable service. Our new phone platform is a major step forward. To learn more about our efforts, visit our 800 number performance webpage.
When can you call Social Security?
To speak with a Social Security representative, please call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The best times to call are early in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month when wait times tend to be shorter.
Our automated telephone services are available 24 hours a day and do not require you to wait to speak with a representative. You can request the status of a claim, a benefit verification letter, an SSA-1099 tax summary, and more. You can also listen to informational messages about a variety of topics.
Please let others know about improvements to our national 800 number and share on social media.
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John
Insane wait times. I’ve been waiting over 4 hours and their office will be closing soon. So much for their improving wait times.
Fred B.
On hold for 4 hours, they answered and then hung up on me, boy, so unprofessional and unacceptable. No management.
DONALD, MAKE SOCIAL SECURITY PHONE WAIT TIMES GREAT AGAIN !!!!!
I guess it’s a good thing they are not the suicide prevention center.
Do yourself a favor, have a sleeping bag and birthday cake ready before you call the social security office.
I.Griffin
Had a scheduled call on 11/27 only for them to tell me the call was for them to schedule me another call to discuss my claim. Call was for today at 10, still no call. Call them only to be told they need to schedule another call or I can wait to see if the person who should have called me calls later. Told them I’ll wait, but go ahead and schedule me a callback. Well that date is in Feb 2025.
HP
SSA needs to get its act together. I’ve been on hold for over 5 hours!! This is for something that can only be done by phone according to the website. These absurd hold times are disrespectful of the public and wasteful of our time. Despite what this blog claims I was offered no call back option. If this is the new system, the public has been fleeced by the company that provided it!
John
I have significant disability issues, that make it impossible for me to get to an office, so I’m forced to use the phone line to reach a representative. I’ve been on hold for 4 hours and 7 minutes so far and still waiting. I have no words for my disappointment, and the turmoil this is causing me.
Nicole W.
Been on the phone waiting for an agent for almost 5 hours!!! Still, waiting!!! The local office is saying that you have to call to schedule an appointment and they are no longer taking walk-ins. This is awful. There is no way to get help with an urgent matter.
Richard L.
It is now 7PM and still being told thanks for holding after having been on hold for 4 hours and 40 minutes! They are now closed but the music continues and the thanks for being patient patient messages continue….third world country service level
Richard L.
Just passed 3 hours and 10 minutes on hold after being told wait time was 120 minutes… I guess they have no idea how to estimate wait time.
Brent C.
Had a phone appointment today, SSA called me 6 times in less than five minutes… each time, there was nobody on the line when I answered. Waited. Waited. Waited. No one was on the line. Tried calling the number back but recording said “number not being used any”… truly useless system. Can’t wait for Trump to fix this bureaucratic mess!
Rebecca A.
I’ve been on phone over 2 hours waiting for a representative, I pray Elon musk roots out the b.s. I think I’ll write some letters or make some calls
Casey Q.
This is my third attempt to call. I called on 12/04/2024 at 4:03pm. After being on hold for 3 hours I was hung up on. Tried again yesterday and was on hold for three and half hours. Calling at 8:15 this morning and been on hold for 43 minutes now.
cj
Elon Musk please revamp this horrible customer service site. told wait time is 45 mins and after waiting 128 minutes they disconnected me, really? These civil service representatives should be great full they don’t work real jobs. Any other company would have fired these waste of tax payer salaries goof offs. Cant wait for Jan 20th to arrive as Musk will get rid of these soviet union style communist mentality idiots.