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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Alex D.
I had an SSI hearing in late December and am waiting on the results. This page was last updated before the christmas holidays. Are employees back in the office to review cases like mine yet?
Lucie A.
I can take up to 6 months to hear back from the ALJ in your state. They are back logged and I know how hard it is.
Alex D.
How do you know what state I live in? I didn’t say.
Lucie
It doesn’t not matter. I have helped 25 people getting on SSI and SSDI.
Lucie A.
I have not received my new social security paperwork with my cost of living increase on it for 2022. When I try to call my local office no one answers the phone.
I have talked to many other seniors and disabled people and they haven’t received their new 2022 Social Security paperwork for 2022.
A.C.
Hi, Lucie. We mailed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices throughout the entire month of December. However, you may be able to access it via the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account if you created it by November 17, 2021. We hope this helps.
Lucie A.
I can’t access it and I don’t remember the password as I opened it many years ago.
What is a critical reason? Life or Death.
Many people have complained to me about the same thing.
You have my right address.
Every time I call I have to wait a million years to talk to a rude and inconsiderate person. who is unprofessional.
Evelyn R.
Dear Social Security, I want to express my appreciation for those who’ve worked so hard this pandemic since 2019; where with all the laws and changes that occur so much within the political administrations. God Bless all of you who figure out everyone’s income for what they qualify for.
Linda J.
I applied for Social Security & on my account it said as of November 5th I was on step 2 of the process. It hasn’t changed since over a week ago but since then I haven’t even been able to sign up on the website anymore. Keep getting message can’t process at this time. What the heck is going on???!!!
Pamela
Same is happening to us.
Grace M.
I accidentally started a disability claim, instead of an application to start collecting social security. I submitted the correct form to cancel, but haven’t heard anything. I’ve been trying for days to get someone on the phone, to no avail. Can you help. Now, when I try to log on to my SS page, I get a message to download something. I’m stuck.
A.C.
Hi, Grace. 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.
Tim T.
Applied on 12-10–21
Step 2.
I have been told by the local office that nothing will update until the month payments begin.
No updates for anything until the payments are supposed to begin, 2/2022.
So I have no written confirmation of the amounts or dates until actual update. If at that time, it is too late. The approval process needs to be updated prior to the effective date.
A.C.
Hi, Linda. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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 is resolved soon.
Linda J.
Is there a reason I can’t login to my account on your website? Are you having some kind of issues? if so, shouldn’t it say so on the login page?
Thank you,
Linda
A.C.
Hi, Linda. We are sorry you have had difficulty logging into your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.
Steva D.
I applied for my SS retirement Dec 1st, I was told by my local office rep for Abingdon Maryland I had to submit proof of US citizenship, and a new SS card as my record had an error from 1978 and it indicated I was not a US citizen, I was told in order for it to get corrected to apply for the new card at the same time. This information was sent to the Abingdon office ATTN Mr. Otey, I received my valid US passport back from SSA without any further communication attached, I assummed everything was ok, then I receive a letter from SSA on Dec. 23rd that I have to call to sent up an appointment with Mr. Otey by December 23rd to discuss my citizenship, the same day I
received the letter. Again I called the number provided for the Abingdon office, spoke with another rep as Mr. Otey is in the office and when you call the number you get transferred over to reps teleworking, I told him I was confused as to why I had to show my valid US passport again as SSA had just mailed it back to me, he verified the passport was showing in the system and there was not a need to make an appointment, he would send Mr. Otey a message telling him it was in the system for him to verify on his end. It is now Jan. 10th, and my approval has not changed, still stating it is in phase 2, I still have not received my replacement SS card that was to be processed within 10 to 15 days why????
Also why isn’t there a link on your site to request an in person appointment? Once your agency receives the request it can be determined by you if it qualifies for an in person visit, or have it linked to the rep directly who is requesting that I make an appointment with available dates and times. Why do I have to call be placed on hold or hung up as all representatives are busy (this happened to me 4 times during this process) for the rep to tell me the agent who has my case has to schedule the appointment and I was told Mr. Otey was out of the office until after Jan 3rd. I am depending on this income
and need to know what if any issues there are I truly hope someone responds to me from this comment.
A.C.
Hi, Steva. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We have referred your concerns to our Operations Staff. 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.
Kathryn P.
I signed up for Retirement benefits on November 10, 2021. Site states that it usually takes 2-4 weeks to complete application process. Today is January 10, 2022 – Eight weeks later. What is the hold up? I have not heard anything and the site just states that I am in the 2nd step of the 3rd steps process?
A.C.
Hi, Kathryn. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office for specific questions. 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 helps.
Chrsitine
The SS department located in Philadelphia on 42 and market street , our main office, no one picks up. This is going back to 2021 . Several calls been made to the 800 number but they are referred us to our main office. I have called several times today and the phone continues to ring then it stops, then silence for about 10 mins, then busy signal. So either people not working from home. While they collecting pay checks , they not allowing people get theirs. But they are quick to send letters for stoppage. Shame on the whole SS department!
Richard F.
Having the same issue with the Couer d’alene, ID office. I have been waiting for someone to pick up the ringing phone for 1hr 15min at this point & my wife had tried earlier. Don’t know what is going on there.
A.C.
We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can 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 helps.
Mary A.
I am trying to report public pension income that might affect my survivor benefits. I can’t do it online, and the 800 number tells me to hang up because everyone is busy — it doesn’t even offer me a callback like other government agencies normally do. Local offices are closed. I want to do the right thing, but it seems impossible. Hope you plan to defer penalties since you seem to be completely unavailable now.
A.C.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear that. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Dan K.
I was told the 3 months before or 3 months after my 65th birthday I was to sign up for medicare since my birthday falls in sept I signed up in august, doing exactly, what was asked of me. Now all I get is a run around, I can really understand why people get so upset to the point of losing their s**t, and this administration is not helping us, can only imagine the bullS I’m going have to go thru when I retire fully in 6 months.
A.C.
Hi, Dan. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please continue to work with your local Social Security 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 helps.
Scott H.
I applied to start SS payments back in September 2021, had phone appointment in October. Rep collected all required information and said first payment would occur on a Wednesday in November. Did not happen. Talked to another rep who said it might take 3 to 5 months to start. December came and went and now we are in January. When I call 800 number to check status it keeps saying “No decision has been made.” I am now well past age 70 so at this point I will not get all the payments that I should have gotten.
What is going on? What’s to decide? Who needs to make a decision?
Scott H.
For what it’s worth, a few years ago, I applied and began receiving SS payments, but cancelled and repaid because a former employer’s pension admin contacted me and was able to offer enough for me to survive while caring for an elderly parent. My point is that all information used at that time to approve and start payments (including bank account routing and number) is still the same – as was noted by the rep who collected the info this time.
A.C.
Hi, Scott. We are sorry to hear about your situation. 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. Please work with your local Social Security office to determine the status of your application. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. We hope this is resolved soon.
Scott H.
Thankyou for your time and attention. I did call the local office and indeed a few people are now available. The person who picked up (after not that many rings) stayed with it until he tracked down the person actively assigned. It turns out that the holdup is because of my earlier application, cancellation and repayment. Manual entry is now required. She relayed through him that she would do her best to complete the processing today.