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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Maria
I have been waiting for my local office to re-open to in person service. I went to court over 2 yrs ago to legally change my name. I need new SSI card to proceed w/other document changes. However, I am not going to mail in my current DL to accomplish. There needs to be a better option than trusting the USPS w/my drivers license.
How do I get an in person appointment?
V.V.
Hi Maria, thanks 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.
Mr P.
a message to the SSA – COVID is not an excuse for poor service. You need to move on from the old “phone call” approach of doing business. Probably 80% of the comments in here are complaints about nobody answering the phone and its 100% true. Find a better way to do it
Mr P.
The SSA system works when the politicians want it to work. So if you have an ex-president and a political party that wants to privatize SS or do away with it altogether they will cut the SSA operating budget. Then the SSA becomes crippled, understaffed, and their computer and phone systems become antiquated. Then people complain because they get lousy service. Then the politicians in a certain political party can point to it and say “see I told you it should be privatized” to justify turning it into a “for profit” corporation, from which of course they will get a piece of the action. They tried to do the same thing with the post office.
I am as frustrated as everyone and it’s easy to throw darts. I think most people who work at the SSA want to do a good job but they don’t have the staff or tools to do it. If Congress would spend less on the DoD and more on the SSA then we might not have as many complaints. If however, the SSA were given a budget on par with a corporation like FedX or Amzn and the service still sucked then they deserve the criticism.
The SSA is a non-profit taxpayer funded institution. There is no CEO or board of directors trying to maximize profit. Theoretically the money that the taxpayers put in is ultimately paid back out without making any profit. I don’t like some of the ways they do this. I hate IRMAA because it punishes people for being successful. I hate the complex rules that they expect seniors to understand when we should just be enjoying ourselves. I hate the fact that they punish seniors with penalties if they don’t exactly follow those rules. I hate the fact that they could actually take away someones benefits and destroy their lives. That is nuts.
The SSA has been around since the 1930’s. It existed during the previous administration and every administration before that. So you are dead wrong to blame the current administration. Don’t be hood-winked by a con man and a political party that wants to make Social Security into a political football. Open your eyes.
simon l.
need amedicaid and medicare cards
V.V.
Hi Simon, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a replacement Medicare card. For Medicaid, please check with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the county that you live in.
Agustin V.
I submitted my Medicare card to the
Trust fund Health and welfare Local 5
Jeremy J.
Why would someone who has all the issues that qualifies them for disability be declined twice based on their age? Disability can be at any age? They have a history of medical issue! Makes no sense to have it carry on for 2 years! Health issues have no age, why should a determination?
Michael M.
Is there a requirement that a Rep Payee must reside in the same state a the Beneficiary? My sister lives in Chicago. It’s necessary that she designate a Rep Payee. I live in California and have had Power of Attorney for her finances. Am I eligible to become her Rep Payee, even though I live 2,000 miles away?
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. We appoint a suitable representative payee who can manage the payments on behalf of the beneficiary. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as payees. It is not a requirement that you reside in the same state. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage.
To apply to be your sister’s representative payee, 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.
Caroline
I am an Advance Designation Representative payee for my aunt and uncle who are 85/91 yrs old and DONT speak/read English. They have changed the bank so I need to update their SSA/SSI deposit.
I have signed up on their accts online. I tried to contact SSA and the representative said my aunt and uncle have to call and speak with them, again, both are elderly and dont comprehend what’s are needed. Why can me the Advance Designated representative payee speak on their behalf. I am listed in the system.
Please advise
V.V.
Hi Caroline, thanks for using our blog. Advance Designation allows people to choose an individual(s) that they deem has genuine concern for their well-being to manage their benefits should the need arise. The law requires Social Security to select the designated individual with certain policy exemptions. However, to be appointed an individual’s representative payee, you must apply. If you want to apply to be their representative payee, please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Mr P.
I had to send a bank check for $21k in their green envelope via USPS. No other options. Local office wouldn’t accept in-person delivery, you can’t send it with a signature required or a return receipt. So my $21k goes off into the ether with no way for me to tell if they ever received it. Not even a letter or a message in my online account. I just have to keep my fingers crossed and hope. I’m just waiting for them to come back and say they never received it.
V.V.
Hi Mr. P. Thanks for using our blog. To check on the status of that payment, 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.
Mr P.
That is why call volumes are so high. If the SSA can direct deposit into my bank account why can’t I do a wire transfer back? Do you know how stressful it is to send a check for that amount in the regular mail with no confidence that it will ever be received and no way to track it? Why can’t SSA just leave a message in my online account? Or for that matter just leave messages in everyone’s account to update the status of their request. Then you wouldn’t have everyone trying to call in to find out whats going on.
People should be able to submit personal messages from their online accounts rather than airing it out on a public blog where it can’t be answered due to privacy reasons.
Natasha H.
My daughter was approved but you guys have been giving us the runaround since last year. You guys don’t answer the phone always saying someone will give a call back months later nothing. I understand covid but you guys are doing us wrong. Not giving us the benefits we’re entitled to. Frustrating because y I u can’t go in person and the people you talk to never know whats going on. You guys don’t note accounts and now someone is saying our stuff is terminated how when I spoke with someone less then 2 weeks ago and suppose to be getting a callback and never did. This is just insane why come you guys can’t go back to handling business? Everyone else has went back to work. I don’t understand and you guys are making it extremely hard on people. It makes no sense.
Cleta S.
I agree this is the most insane way to be trying to do business. Can’t get into SSA at the local level without an appointment, can’t get an appointment because no one answers the phone at local or National level.
Some people do not have access to computers or know how to send photos. I do not understand Why? SSA requires an ID to get your SSA card replaced when you need a SSA card to get an ID/ Driver license. Catch 22. To get employment a person needs both. There is nowhere to turn if you are having any kind of trouble. Estranged spouse has kept both and my son has no way to seek or acquire employment, food, shelter, or anything to survive on his own.
Emily H.
How can I get my name changed ?
Can I make a appt to go in a get that done in the fort worth area ?
V.V.
Hi Emily, thank you for your question. 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.
Our Social Security and Coronavirus web page provides details on the required documentation and options for submitting them. We hope this helps!