COVID-19, General

Update on Social Security Offices

April 24, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

Earlier this week, The White House issued national guidance regarding Opening Up America Again. We are evaluating this information as it relates to our agency and are continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation across the nation. In fulfilling Social Security’s mission, when we reopen offices to the public, we will provide a safe environment for both the people we serve and our employees.

As we continue to develop our plans, our offices will remain closed to the public for face-to-face service, and our employees will continue to work remotely and provide services to the public. We will provide updates moving forward and post updated information on the status of our offices, by state, at our website. Our agency will provide these updates directly, and please disregard other sources of information regarding the status of our offices.

We will continue to provide the vital service the public relies on. Please visit our website for more information about our services during the pandemic.

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About the Author

Andrew Saul, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Commissioner of Social Security Administration (June 17, 2019 - July 9, 2021)

Comments

  1. Nancy

    Americans deserve an additional update. I am a February Bride who is now expecting. I would love to change my name before the baby comes… Please consider sharing some hope that you won’t remain closed until next year.

  2. Christine M.

    I turned 62 on April 26. I worked for a company that went out of business when I was 55. I was old enough to get a small pension. I have worked for a company that is seasonal for the past 7 years. I work 6 months of the year and then I collect unemployment during the winter. Our company has reopened but I have not been called back to work yet and I only have a few weeks of unemployment left. I would like to sign up for social security and I tried doing it online but it started giving me trouble so I was wondering what to do. I would appreciate some help. Thank you for your attention on this matter.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Christine. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. You can contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Look for the general inquiry telephone number under Show Additional Office Information. We hope hope this helps.

  3. Lajuardi G.

    How to apply social security card for my spouse??when will the office open

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Lajuardi. First, realize that your spouse may not need a replacement card. They will rarely need to show it. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. To see if they’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents they will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page. Keep in mind all submitted documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Once they’ve submitted all the needed documents, it can take up to 10 business days from the date we received the application to mail a replacement card. Our offices remain closed to the public for face-to-face service. For more information and to subscribe for updates, visit here. We hope this helps.

  4. Jonny

    Hi SSA blog,
    My wife and I have already obtained the EAD cards. We want to start working but the employer required SSN before letting us work.
    This is the first time we apply for SSN.
    Is there any way that we can apply for the SSN without going to the office ( since all of the SSA offices in California are still closed)?
    Please inform.

    Hope you well and healthy.
    Thank you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jonny. Our offices remain closed to the public for face-to-face service. During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we are dedicating available staff to serve people in most critical need of our services. Please call your local office to see if an in-office appointment is necessary and possible. Look for the general inquiry telephone number under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this helps.

  5. John C.

    I have a dilemma. I just signed-up for Medicare and need to provide physical copies of my I-551 and foreign birth certificate. I have both of these.

    The SSA site strongly cautions against mailing-in these documents – plus it is a legal requirement that I have my I-551 with me at all times.

    All SSA offices remain closed thus I am unable to visit my local SSA office to present hard copies of the documents in question.

    What does the SSA suggest that I do in this situation?

    Many thanks!

    • Vonda V.

      Hi John, thanks for using our blog. Please call your local Social Security office for assistance. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

      • John C.

        Many thanks Vonda for your suggestion.

        I already had tried this approach; before seeking help via this SSA site I reached-out to my local SSA office.

        While they were kind and helpful they were unable to provide an answer of how to province sight of my I-551 while keeping it in my possession – given that all SSA offices remain closed.

        I badly need a solution to the question of how the SSA gets sight of my I-551 while I stay legal in keeping the document in my possession at all times – given that all SSA offices remain closed.

        Many thanks. I look forward to receiving a a workable solution in the very near future.

        with warmest regards.

        • John C.

          Update: a couple of weeks after my initial filing for Medicare a charming, knowledgeable, professional and exceedingly helpful person from the local SSA office reached out to me and instigated a workable solution.

          All was done with no fuss and no hassle – I am now, happily, enrolled for Medicare.

          Many thanks; great service. All very much appreciated.

  6. Stefan C.

    The fact that Social Security Offices are still closed to the public is unacceptable! What do you need to open them up? The DMV has been open and working for a month now, what are YOU waiting for? I am unable to get my issue solved online or over the phone, and I must talk to a Social Security employee in person. How long does it take you to open up the Social Security Offices? This is absolutely bonkers, ridiculous and it disregards the needs of the public. Shame on you for your lack of empathy and service to the public!

    • Ramya

      The common reply we get is they are making plans to protect public when they reopen. I do not understand the last updated date of this blog was on April 24th and today its June 4th. Are the plans still not developed?

      • Ramya

        And finally except for this comment, there are replies for other questions posted

  7. David E.

    This month my social security check will deposit into a bank account that’s closed.And no I’m 71 years old I can’t remember what my phone number was in 2012. And the bank has no records from that. For some strange reason oh, I’ve been with them for 42 years. Show how my bills won’t get paid and the only way I can straighten it out is by them seeing my face like they don’t know who I am. Very very frustrating. So I’m just I’m going to sit here and watch my whole financial world Fall apart because social security can accommodate my needs. Very frustrated and disappointed.again in my life I’m going to suffer and not get good service because of people who break the law and create fraud. Tired of being punished like that. I’m not the bad guy. The guy worked all his life and put money into social security hand over fist.
    Okay I’m done

    • Vonda V.

      Hi David, we are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. 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 for assistance or you can 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. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  8. John C.

    I’m trying to get a replacement Social Security card for my 17 year old grandaughter. The only documents she has are her student ID card, report card, and medical card. I sent in the SS-5 form with the documents but it was sent back to me with the explanation that she will have to meet face to face with a Social Security rep to match her face to the documents. With SSA offices close, what other options do we have to get a replacement card? Thank you

    • Vonda V.

      Hi John, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. You will need to contact your local Social Security office for an explanation. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  9. Kirandeep k.

    Hello sir or madam
    I want to know when you going to reopen social security offices for public please reply me

    • Vonda V.

      Thanks for using our blog, Kirandeep. The White House issued national guidance regarding Opening Up America Again. We are evaluating this information as it relates to our agency and are continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation across the nation. In fulfilling Social Security’s mission, when we reopen offices to the public, we will provide a safe environment for both the people we serve and our employees.

      As we continue to develop our plans, our offices will remain closed to the public for face-to-face service, and our employees will continue to work remotely and provide services to the public. We will provide updates moving forward and post updated information on the status of our offices, by state, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus. Our agency will provide these updates directly, and please disregard other sources of information regarding the status of our offices.

  10. Kornel

    Can anybody tell me please when the social security office or the verifit off is going to be proximately open I’ll be at truly appreciate for a respond thank you.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Kornel, thanks for using our blog. The White House issued national guidance regarding Opening Up America Again. We are evaluating this information as it relates to our agency and are continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation across the nation. In fulfilling Social Security’s mission, when we reopen offices to the public, we will provide a safe environment for both the people we serve and our employees.

      As we continue to develop our plans, our offices will remain closed to the public for face-to-face service, and our employees will continue to work remotely and provide services to the public. We will provide updates moving forward and post updated information on the status of our offices, by state, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus. Our agency will provide these updates directly, and please disregard other sources of information regarding the status of our offices.

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