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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Alberto R.
I became an LPR on September 20th, received my LPR card in the mail on December 1st, but I haven’t received my SSN yet. Do I have to continue waiting for my SSN? I understand things are slow due to Covid-19.
By the way I answered Yes to application DS260 regarding the request for a SSN.
A.C.
Hi, Alberto. 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. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jean
The “local Social Security office” link you provided above takes us to a page that says the following:
We Did Not Find The Page You Requested
You’ve requested a page on the Social Security website that does not exist.
????
V.V.
Hi Jean, thanks for using our blog. You can find your local office mailing address by using our Social Security Office Locator.
Theresa G.
I’m not understanding why people are needing the SSA offices to open. They have provided more tools than any other Government Agency, to service their customers. I’m a new retiree. I’ve had no issues receiving my SSA funds and I when online to request a new SSA card… No issues there either. SSA online services are excellent, my suggestion is to try it, if you’re not in dying need to get into an office. Moreover, I’ve had no issues in receiving callbacks either.
Diane B.
Hay is just your experience you are just 1 how many people are making claims that something is wrong many so just because you have not experienced rudeness or simply not experienced operators does not mean it does not happen you are a lucky one, or you have connections so you do not have problems because of the biases in some of the offices not all but some look at that
Leah G.
Most people deserve the opportunity to look at the person(s), who are making life altering decisions in their lives. It tends to make their actions, that much more clear. For both parties. Which makes it seem much more plausible, that the real reason, the offices have not reopened in person; one they made, in order to avoid doing just that. Looking us in the eye, as they, blatantly lie and conniving and cause more damage to our lives, than we’ve already endured. The pandemic was just an excuse for Social Security, to cut off payments and issue fake overpayment debts, to millions of recepients. Not to mention keep tens of millions more, in limbo without all of the other very necessary, aspects our society requires to thrive. Name changes, social security cards, it’s a long list. They’ve cut us all ogf in so many ways… not a one of them wants these offices open anytime soon. At least not the ones who did those many wrongs. I just hope there’s at least a few good human beings still working there when they do finally reopen.
Alicia R.
Absolutely! SSA offices should remain closed. We don’t need to risk any more community spread when cases and deaths are already so so high. There is no morally acceptable reason to reopen to the public right now. Calling is more than fine, I’ve found that my experience with SSA has been much better via phone calls than in-person anyways.
Terry
This system is ROTTEN. I NEED TO SIR WITH A REP AND MY PHYSICAL PAPERWORK- NOT MAIL IT AND RISK LISING THAT AS WELL. THIS IS BS!!!
R. M.
I couldn’t get help online or by phone on my application for Medicare. Information given on phone was inaccurate. I made a phone appointment and when my appointment time came- no one called for the appointment. I have been given 3 different letters of what my Medicare premiums will be… this is absolutely ridiculous each a couple weeks apart. No response to my written correspondence??? Really? Is this how we help seniors?
A.C.
Hi. We are sorry to hear that. Please continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. You can also 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 is resolved soon.
Rita
Social Security has an obligation to the working public, who have paid into the system, to honor their client’s expectations of receiving benefits due and promised. In a timely manner. We expect our Social Security administration to answer the emails, answer the letters, answer the phones and conduct business in a professional and courteous manner. We DO realize we need to be patient considering what our country is going through. We DO NOT expect to be ignored, put off and abused. That’s happening. Please, get your acts together and act responsibly. We are all in this together! Be kind and respectful of the miserable things that we are going through. It isn’t just COVID. We have OTHER real life issues we are trying to get through and take care of. This issue of people not getting much deserved help from a government institution that has promised help is unforgivable.
Diane B.
Thank You I could not have said this better..I feel your pain and frustration and it is not fair..I am still waiting for my social security card replacement but my driver’s licenses expired and they want to have proof of a legit driver’s license or I’d I have had a replaced card no problem I did not have to show my I’d or birth certificate like they are asking for it is so confusing I lost all my original documents when I moved and the offices are closed..I can not do anything and talking to them on the phone is useless part of the problem is COVID-19 the other part is having not experienced people handling our issues lack of training in dealing with SSI clients and social security and other programs requires a experience person not just anybody and you can tell that they are not qualified when they interact with you and it makes matters worse for all involved
John S.
It is clearly stated on this website where you commiserating what type of documents you can use in place of a drivers license. Yes it is possibly a little more difficult had the office been open but you still need to identify yourself so you would be denied in office instead. Look at the websites updates to see what you can use and mail it. That is all.
Robert B.
SSA can’t really help you if all the workers get long-Covid or die. Keep the offices closed.
Alex
I have been trying to change my name since March 2020. I am not willing to leave my documents in your drop box for an indefinite amount of time. I was told I could leave it on a Thursday, because that’s the only day anyone comes to the office to check the box. It would be processed and my documents would be mailed back. What am I supposed to use for an ID during all of that time? Get back to the office!
Rita
Yes. Get back to the office!!!
Erika
R u serious?!?! That long? Im wanting to change my name on my SS card and updating my immigration status but they require my certificate. I spoke to a lady today and she told me I would have to mail my certificate and then it would be mailed back to me, but your comment is now scaring me to send it in, they are requesting the original document.
Chrissy
I got married in November and I need to add my new husband’s last name to my last name. Considering the current situation, I don’t know why people have to send ORIGINAL copies by mail. What am I supposed to do without my driver’s license for weeks? What if my license, birth certificate, or marriage license gets lost in the mail? I don’t want all that personal info floating around. If they won’t open the offices, at least let us send in copies of necessary documents.
Amy C.
You realize it is a government agency. Why would they accept copies? Serious question. Look at the updates for what other stuff you can use.
A.C.
HI, Chrissy. We have temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. For more information visit our Social Security blog post, Replacement or Corrected Social Security Cards during the COVID-19 Pandemic. You can also contact your local Social Security office for submission options. We hope this helps.
Amy C.
Look at the updates for information on what ID you can use in terms of name change. Clearly detailed in case you are worried. Also the fact that the office has a drop off option is great, you know for sure they will get it. Mine didnt and I had to change my name recently and just sent my marriage license. Got my new card maybe a month later?
A.C.
Hi, Alex. Good news! We have temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. For more information visit our Social Security blog post, Replacement or Corrected Social Security Cards during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We hope this helps.
AJ T.
Alex, from this point forward, I will only refer to you as “Bob.”
Problem solved.
Jeff S.
I wonder if people realize that hard work and staying with a job is what counts
Leah G.
I wonder if you’d say the same thing, with your back as broken as mine and millions of others.
Actually I don’t have to wonder what you’d say at all. God bless you for being so strong willed as to stick to working. Unlike some of us. Right?
ADRIAN A.
PLEASE END COVID-19
Richard B.
COVID-19 will never end if SSA and other agencies reopen offices to the public!!! There’s no reason to, let workers continue to telework and let the public keep calling! Cases are higher than ever, and current vaccines aren’t as effective against Omicron! We need to stay safe and implement multiple measures to do so- including continuing telework.
Jessie T.
You have been out of the offices for almost 2 years now while the rest of us “essential” people have not missed a day in our offices trying to help the most vulnerable of the people who needed your help.
What is it going to take to get you people back to work?!!!
Erika
Yes! they need to come back, if DPS, immigration and other important government offices are up and running why not SSA. =(
Fellow A.
Its because SSA has proven that about 90% of work can be performed without being at the office and by phone. You would need to contact the Commissioner of Social Security in order to find out why SSA is still closed. I believe the Commissioner returned to the office December, and are currently working on a re-entry plan. They cant just open due to the fear of putting the elderly in danger. The bulk of claimants are 55+ so Iam sure that has something to do with it.
Mark A.
Essential workers have essentially been sacrificed throughout the pandemic which is abhorrent, but that’s no reason to throw other workers under the bus. There are no morally acceptable deaths from the pandemic, and all of our safety policies should reflect that.
Sherrie B.
We have repeatedly contacted through the web site to change a password but as another person mentioned it requires you to call between 7a and 4p and you don’t get an answer. I also have not received a call back.
John E.
FJB