Update on Our Reentry Plans
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: December 22, 2021
We want to give you an update on our preparations for returning our employees to local Social Security offices, a process called reentry.
You may have seen a proposed reentry date of January 3, 2022 in the draft reentry plan that we provided to our unions, or in the media. While some executives reentered on December 1, we have not set a reentry date for the rest of the agency.
The best way to reach us is online at SSA.gov, or by calling our National 800 Number or a local Social Security office. At this time, please remember that we can only provide in-person service by appointment only for limited, critical issues. And we continue to hold voluntary hearings by online video and phone. We are taking steps to increase in-person help for people unable to complete their business online or by phone.
We will keep you updated on our reentry process.
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Tags: COVID-19, General Information
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Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Darlynda Bogle, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Mark
I cannot find on these info pages the exact time that I need to make sure that my retirement starts on time. I’m afraid to apply now because I won’t get my entitled amount. What is exactly the right moment to apply to make sure that my check arrives at exactly the right moment. I’ll be 66 in March and I am expecting to get my first SS check around July 1, 2022
Vickie
Mark, when you apply, you put the date in you want your benefits to start. I was concerned about this to until I got on there and did the online application. It went very smooth. Try to apply about 3 months before you want to start receiving the benefits so the SS dept has time to go through your application
Vonda
Hi Mark, thanks for using our blog. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will get your full benefit. If your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months and you turn 66 in March, you will attain your full retirement age in July. One exception to that is for individuals that are born on the 1st of the month. We figure their benefit (and their full retirement age) as if their birthday was in the previous month. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with July, you will receive your first benefit payment in August. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the 2022 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendar useful.
Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. When you’re ready to apply, you can apply online.
If unable or you would rather not apply online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
Richard P.
My wife applied for Insurance Benefits (SSA-2-BK) on 1/25/2021 and sent in all information , marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. and not heard from anyone about her case. It’s been a year now and still waiting. Call SS back in April and then again in May. Spent the whole summer waiting for some kind of communication from them and STILL nothing. Finally got a hold to someone who said the was another person handling her case, so she gave me his phone number and extension. I have been calling and leaving messages for two weeks now with still no luck. All of this and we don’t even know if she has been approved or not. A WHOLE YEAR! Need in-person appointment to talk to someone fast.
HowardD
Richard call or write your senator or Congressman.
Christina H.
Yes I agree! Contact your local congressman for your state – and talk to their office – they will most likely not take the call but if you leave your wife’s information with them, they will pass it along to the congressman and then it will reach the floor of the state senate as a “Congressional inquiry” as to why there has been no forward movement on her case much less any substantive communication about her case. This is par for the course regarding SSI/SSA CASES, but thanks to COVID, it has become even worse. So yes, contact that congressperson. Good luck!
Vonda
Hi Richard, thanks for reaching out. 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 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Maria L.
I still haven’t been able to find out about the status of my SSI benefits because I usually find out by calling my benefits card.
It’s the last thursday of december, 2021, and I don’t even have any money pending as of yet either!
I now have no phone service because it’s been cut off, and that worries me!
I seriously dk what to do about this situation because of the pandemic!
Any suggestions from anyone, would be greatly appreciated!
Ty for giving me the time to read this, but I get the feeling it could go either way.
Help!
Nikky h.
I had to get a attrny (apeal decision) and then they missed a few checks and finally got a back payment 3months later and was only off by $-10
Vonda
Hi Maria. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Margeé
Tried two weeks straight to call, never got o talk to anyone.
Vonda
Hi Margee, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Betty R.
I needed help with a matter that I could not resolve online. Yesterday I called Social Security to get the info I needed. I was on the phone for 58 minutes (which included the long wait time and about 10 minutes to talk to a Social Security representative). I received the information I needed from a very pleasant gentleman who was helpful and kind. I am pleased with the service.
Mariella D.
I visited the local office for a personal matter and the employee that I spoke to was incredibly rude and outright hostile without provocation. I would not recommend sending someone who is elderly or vulnerable due to a disability to these offices without an escort, as the SSA unabashedly allows an abusive environment to thrive within their walls. There is no sane way to file a complaint either. These offices are unsafe, even without a pandemic raging.
Linda D.
Trying to get my husband’s SS check. He died in Sept & I have called several times & been told someone would call me back in 7 days. No one did. I need help.
ADRIAN A.
Well, Linda it is hard to project an end or where it levels off like an end date to a Project; but I would say if you are vaccinated and wear a mask then come to work; they go everywhere else; it’s complicated I know; lets listen to the experts at the White House and NIH and CDC like Dr Fauci.
Patrick
Looking for best way to submit Form W-4V
John
Application process states it take 2 to 4 weeks to process application. That was almost 3 months ago, and pending application status has not changed. Efforts to contact ssa using national and local phone number were unsuccessful. Since I see others here are having similar experience, I will wait a few weeks longer with expectation offices will open soon. Was advised by a friend that is retired from our local social security office to “Call your Congressman”.
Alana
I have called numerous times over several weeks to make the required appointment to apply for SSI; ONE TIME a person answered & took my information. He verified that I am immediately entitled to SSI due to my dire situation, including the amount, and said he’d immediately forward my request to the local office & they will contact me in 7 or so days with an appointment day/time. I’ve heard nothing from them, and today after making 3 consecutive, 20 minutes on hold each time phone calls to the local office, I finally was answered. To no avail: I was nonchalantly informed that I was NOT eligible whatever my situation, and no resource for dire circumstance was available, as well as they don’t call applicants, whatever info or request the central agent may submit, because “he doesn’t know what goes on here, and anyway the applicant has to call, but not till Monday when January’s calendar opens up, which is probably full until February. So is there anything else?” I asked (“if you don’t mind) what notes did he forward concerning my request?” She answered “Best time to call 8 to 4.” I asked “is that all?” When she just said yes, I was speechless because the central agent had read back to me everything he transmitted.
During the approximately 40 seconds that I was unable to speak, she never said a word; when I finally could only say “Thank you for your help, and your compassion”, she answered “Oh, you’re welcome, no problem!” Appalling.