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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CINDY
It typically takes 7 or so months. In most cases there is a mandatory 5 month wait.https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/approval.html#anchor1
Straight from their website
Steph
We are in a bit of a bind. Our J-1 Visa intern needs a SSN. After numerous hours of being on hold, waiting for calls back, and hitting road blocks – we still cannot get him an appointment. What can we do? We need to get business done – and this is critical as the bank now will hold onto his pay. I do understand there is a pandemic – but all your employees working from home should be able to get us an appointment without hours long hold times and un-returned requests to call us. Our next step is to reach out to our Senators for help.
V.V.
Hi Steph, thanks for reaching out. We apologize for the delay and inconveniences your intern is experiencing. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please have your intern continue working with their local office. They can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of their situation. 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 helps.
Julie J.
Ditto w/ Dennis J.
Julie J: “processing” medicare benefits started Nov. 3 2020. Logging in shows absolutely no progress. Called national number. Waited 50 minutes on hold. Agent verified that application has been received but also confirmed that the review process has not started. Astounding!
Not sure what other options one can pursue.
LK
My SSI application began the reviewal process in the Chicago Office on September 15, 2021. It is well beyond the 2-4 weeks standard review process, but I have yet to hear from an SSA representative about my application or the status of my SSI payments.
V.V.
Hi Lynn, 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.
Lucie A.
It can take up to 4 months for a review to be complete by the State of Illinois.
Illinois Dept of Disability and Determination Services does the reviews for SSI and SSDI people.
Contact The governor of Illinois.
Mei Y.
I’m applying disability benefit, how can I submit the medical record without mail it? I do not want to lose the record or anything happen. Can I schedule inperson appointment to submit all the documents at once?
Auston R.
A John Shayne Smith I’ve got my Social Security
CINDY
Faxing may be your best option. In most cases you can find the fax number to the DDS office that is servicing your claim. I found its very important to include a cover letter that has your name, ssn and case number listed in your DDS letter. Cuts out the middle man of your local office, at least in my experience.
Theresa
There office is always loseing documents make copies and save proof of faxes.
Elba L.
Why does SSA state that they are issuing appointments for critical situations, such as name change and citizenship status update, but when I called to make an appointment to change my name I was told I did not qualify?
Ginger P.
They let me do name change via Mail I mailed required documentation with a form they provided and return self addressed envelope and had it back within a couple of months
James. S.
What does ssa mean when they tell me that they are waiting on the payment center to release my back-pay? They said they suspended my ssi and that now I’m going to be on ssdi ( which is one in the same, right?) and that I’m entitled to my back-pay. I’ve received a Medicare card in the mail so apparently I’m one of their programs. This has been since October of 21 and yet I don’t hear from anyone nor do I receive any mail letting me know what’s going on. Calling is a joke because I’ve yet to talk to anyone that knows anything about my case.
DBHKB
So the payment center is the part of Social Security that processes payments. They can take a very long time. As far as SSDI vs. SSI, they are 2 separate programs within Social Security. You may have been approved for both, and will likely receive back pay from both, but insurance will come from the SSDI part, which is why you received a Medicare card. Also, monthly payments typically only come from one, not both programs.
SSDI is based on your work history. SSI is a welfare based program for individuals who don’t have work credits for SSDI.
Dennis J.
It takes 2 to 4 weeks to process an SSI Application?
Week 7 here, and I suspect leaving a comment is a waste of time.
Norris W.
I’ve been in step 2 of the “review” for 13 weeks. The local offices are closed and no one answers the phone.
V.V.
For your security, Norris, 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.
V.V.
Hi Dennis, thanks for using our blog. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.
If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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.
Lucie A.
No SSI can take up to 120 days to get approved.
It doesn’t matter what state you live in and the longer time it takes them.
The better because if you receive a letter before that you have most likely been turned down.
Anna S.
This is getting ridiculous. I have to change my last name and I was told that the only form of ID that would be accepted is an original driver’s license in my original name. How does it make sense to place my license in a drop box and be without it for several days and pray it doesn’t get lost in the mail? We have jobs. We have lives. We have to be able to drive. How can we do that legally without our licenses? It makes no sense that we are two years into this pandemic and SSA offices remain closed when the rest of the nation has reopened months ago. This is becoming extremely inconvenient for millions. It should be as easy as visiting my SSA office wearing a mask and remaining 6 feet apart so that all of this could get done in minutes and I do not have to part with original identification documents.
L
I agree!
Cee
I AGREE!! DO NOT USE THE DROP BOX, THEY WILL LOSE YOUR DOCUMENTS. My daughter needed a new SSA card to get her license, sent originals of her info and mines via next certified mail, after a month I was told they were back logged, another month went by only for them to lose them all, and attempted to tell me it was never delivered, which was a lie. I forwarded teh tracking and proof provided by the USPS. After months of being bounced around I was told they have put my name on the list of lost documents, and thats it. A year later, my documents are still lost.
Michael B.
I can’t figure out why the hell women take the last names of men anymore I know it’s hard to be one of the people that contributing towards a trend but in 10 years you might regret it cuz it is going away one way or another..
Stephanie
I agree, I was told to mail my original birth certificate, driver’s license and social security card to change my name. Yeah I don’t think so. If they lose all the originals how would I be able to replace them since you need originals.
Lisa D.
Ann you are so on point. Hate to say this but when you do visit the offices, or at least the couple I have dealt with, they act as if they hate their job and haphazardly listen to you. Can hardly blame them, because they probably are not appreciated or properly compensated. On the other hand many of the employees are lazy and it would take a flaming blaze to get them to swivel the chair much less try to go above and beyond to help you solve a problem, and if you are that unhappy with your job…there are so many other ones out there right now. For those who have circumstances that truly do not permit a career move, my apologies and I am not including you I the lazy, I don’t give a crap group.
With that said, as long as it has been, going on 2 yrs now, the govt could have and should have put in place a remote position for the employees that could help the hundreds and millions being left out in despair. Have they even thought of setting up area post office boxes to drop mail or docs in so that the employee working remotely doesnt have to give out their personal address? I don’t pretend to know everything, but what I do know is all they have done to try and accommodate….is nothing!
Blows me away how our government forgets they work for us instead of the other way around. I’d say they are over compensated at this point. I’m not anti-government, I’m just anti-ignorance, greed we seem to pay them for, and how easy it seems for them to look the other way.
High pressure job no doubt. Highly paid by the people of this country. What do they expect for those wages? I bet if we put them in squad car and they actually had to work for our communities keeping us safe while risking their lives, they may come to know the meaning of gratefulness.
Rant over…can you think of anyone I haven’t blamed lol.
Oh yeah, we do let the get by with it so…….there is that.
Happy New Year!
I’m not mad just disappointed.
Lisa D.
P.S. The struggle is real!
V.V.
Hi Anna. Thank you for using our blog. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options.
Terry
I AGREE- ITS DISGUSTING
Troy M.
i can not log in to ssa.gov.I have tried 2 50+ minute phone calls and still can not login.The problem is the log in site says they send a code to my phone by text but I never receive yet I go to ss.log in and they can send me a code to same # but this site always says i already have an acct.so I contiue to go thru the cycle and can not get a code to my phone ssa.gov
Rebecca S.
Me too they took my ssi bc I got married and they took my husband’s pay from the prior two years before I ever got with him. These people don’t care. They told me I’m still disabled just can’t get my check. I still have an account but can’t get a code or get into my account.
V.V.
Hi Troy, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Check out our Blog: How to Change Your Second Factor Authentication for Your Personal my Social Security Account. If you still need assistance, we have established a dedicated my Social Security Hotline to assist with your account issues. You may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; 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.