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
Comments
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James D.
Working remotely is a wonderful idea. In today’s computer-based society, there is no reason that we have to traipse down to a distant in -person office to do simple business that can be accomplished on the phone or online. If there is need for a form to be signed, and the customer doesn’t have a computer, no problem; the Social Security representative can mail one. I think that the offices should never be reopened. Save the money and instead hire more folks to work at home.
I find that the National Number is always responsive from 7 am to 7 pm: 1-800-772-1213. And, there is lots of information online at SocialSecurity.gov.
VF
My husband needs to make a appointment. He has been on hold for 2 hours he just needs to report he is a citizen. We don’t have a printer.
Vonda
Hi VF. Thanks for reaching out. Your husband cannot update his citizenship status with Social Security online. He will need to update his Social Security record by showing us his Certificate of Naturalization and completing an application for a corrected Social Security card. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Please visit our Social Security and Coronavirus web page. If he believes he may qualify for an in-office appointment, he should call his local office. He’ll find the contact information using our online Social Security Office Locator.
J
This refusal to shift to accommodate in person needs- via zoom, expanded telephone appointments, other options for those who CAN do these things has lead to everyone trying to access the extremely limited times when people might possibly take appointments.
So instead of trying to offer various options at different levels of access to mitigate risk while keeping service/benefits/assistance going, they slammed the door all across the board.
It’s affected everyone, created a backlog, absolutely contributed to the strain on the healthcare system. The way the agency refused to pivot and meet needs collectively was disappointing and left a huge number of people behind.
We will continue to see the effects of this characteristic lack of flexibility for years.
Nancy H.
Please stay closed. Transmission rates are so high all across the country and even with the booster there is not enough protection against Omicron. It’s unbelievable that SSA is even considering reopening to the public with Covid cases higher than ever!
Let’s make sure that more people don’t become disabled from Covid spread, and let your agency continue teleworking.
Atawmia
I want to know how come I don’t get the max of my Social Security disability
Barbara P.
Are you crazy? Any time you go anywhere in the world you could possibly come in contact with this or any other virus. We need people to be available in person to help those of us who are not computer saavy and need to apply for their retirement benefits. You must be a SSA worker who wants to continue to work from home. I am 66 and have to go into the office everyday.
Clifton H.
I need to be reinstated for Soc.Sec. and Disability, in Missouri.
Sandee
You need to re-apply for disability there is no “reinstatement”. Call SSA at 800-772-1213 to discuss your personal case and information with an SSA representative. or you can apply online if you have computer access. When your application online processes they will call you for more information or mail you a phone number to reach your assigned representative.
Sandee
I would like to correct the previous statement, if you were on benefits and they stopped because you worked over the limit, you can apply for an expedited reinstatement of benefits (for SS disability) as long as you meet the criteria necessary. Calling 1-800-772-1213 will help you get started. You can also try applying online with a new claim stating that you are attempting to Apply for an Expedited ReInstatement of Benefits but due to COVID you could not reach anyone and that will prompt them to contact via phone or letter to tell you who you should contact at the local office.
Vonda
For your security, Clifton, 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.
Kevin W.
Nancy,
So what did you do in the last 4 or 5 pandemics that occurred in your lifetime. I assumed you are or retirement age. Certainly not stay at home.
Cindy R.
Why doesn’t anyone ever answer the phone? Neither the local office or the national line. We need better service. Please open your offices! Everyone is back to work except you.
Vanxay k.
l want make appointment
Vanxay
come in person do ss card
Sandee
The National 800 number always answers, I call them all the time. During busiest time periods each day it takes them longer but they are available until 7pm . 800-772-1213
Sandee
Cindy, 1-800-772-1213. I call all the time and they do answer. I prefer to call them about 4pm-5pm, but have called them throughout the day. They are open 8am -7pm.
Ll
Yes It has been past time to reopen!! My husband called about replacing his SS card.They ask you not to laminate so his card is not even readable.(We will be laminating this time)He called the Clarksburg office the lady was very very rude.They expect everyone to have a computer and printer, if you dont they want you to go to the Library to print forms etc.Not everyone has the capacity to go to all these places.Then they require you to send your actual Drivers License or passport.My husband ask ok you would like me to drive around for wks w/o my license? Yes just make a copy.So there would be cost of shipping to send certified.
I know the FBI is returning their staff to the office, sounds like a lot of folks are retiring if possible- everyone wants to work in their pjs at home yep sorry off track.
I believe SS is a vital service for many people so please reopen.And please weed out the folks that are rude and nasty- no one needs that- if you are going to the office, the reason is probably not for anything pleasant.My husband had a GREAT paying job and due to work accident, he had to take disabilty at 48.He has worked his whole life.
Workers Comp does everything in its power to make EVERYTHING look non work related(so you end of with no benefits and we paid his medical still making payments 5 yrs later).His disability amount is peanuts.We ask for a appointment to understand how this could possibly be correct amount.The man conducting our appt had no clue how to explain anything- he just kept reading words off the computer w/o any understanding of what he was reading! We politely ask to speak to a supervisor or someone that had yrs on rhe job, we were refused even that.The reason the appt was made because a SS worker told us that she believed his amt not to be correct.But this man was very condescending, not rude, but not helpful.PLEASE train your people so they understand what they are trying to explain.He just wanted to wrap up appt.We walked out discouraged and more confused than when we walked in.No we we aren’t uneducated or illiterate like Bette Midler alluded to recently, so we dont need our own WV employees treating their clients as such.We are taxpayers and pay their wages.
Kathy M.
It is difficult enough filing forms for social security benefits and medicare. Very unsatisfactory dealing over the phone especially when you don’t get call backs when you were told you would. Most places are open and taking mask precautions. I don’t know why Social Security offices are so special. Customer service is appalling.
Randall B.
I have had zero issues getting everything done I needed to and no problems getting through on the phones. It makes no sense to open the lobbies like a Petri dish fir all the folks who won’t do the right thing and get vaccinated. Let’s NOT kill a bunch of folks for services that are currently being provided perfectly!
Dave K.
Dear Randall I guess you are behind the times, because we are the “Petri Dish! People who are vaxxed still get sick and die from this The services you talk about are not perfectly provided. If they were, nobody would be complaining, everyone would be satisfied.
Sandee
David K. -Just like with the flu vaccination you can still get sick from the virus. You will get the watered down version though. Those who are vaxed are not dying from this. Those who are not vaxed and those who were overdue on their booster shot are the ones ending up in the hospital. Boosters are needed! If you are past the 8 month marker you should get it. Don’t take my word on it, I only have had front row seats during Covid working at a hospital. It’s one thing to sit at home and watch about it on the news and another to see another patient pass away or those who are lucky enough to recover who now have new life long problems ahead of them. Sticking your head in the sand gets you no where.
Janice S.
Easy answer to your question. Social Security has a union. THAT is what is keeping the “workers” – and I use that term loosely- from returning to the office. The government needs to order these people to return to work.
Neives T.
Is anyone in your Tupelo, ms office, if so can I make an appointment??
Vanxay k.
yes tomorrow at 8:21
Vonda
Hi Neives, thanks for using our blog. To make an appointment, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 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. We hope this is helpful.
yeniac
You have two years closed
Mark F.
Phone service is pathetic. No one answers the phone. Automated system takes your info then terminates the call.
The office is closed for COVID but all businesses are open. Inexcusable.