SSA offices are closed to the public, and their phone service is only available in limited circumstances.
Bottom line – unless it’s urgent, don’t bother trying to reach someone at SSA. If you do call, expect to wait 90 minutes or more.
———Message from SSA———–
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are dedicating available staff to serve people in most critical need of our services. Please read below before deciding whether to contact your local Field Office inquiry line or our National 800 Number. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. It may take you up to 90 minutes or more to reach an agent, so we encourage you to try our online services before calling us.
When to call the local Field Office:
Field office employees can help you with the following issues:
• Taking disability and survivor applications for the most severe disabilities, including:
o If you have a terminal illness;
o If you are a Wounded Warrior;
o If you may qualify for an immediate Supplemental Security Income payment based certain severe disabilities; and
o If your disability qualifies for our Compassionate Allowance or Quick Disability Determination processes.
• Resolving payment-related issues:
o If you did not receive your monthly payment;
o If you are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;
o If you received an overpayment letter and need to request a reduced repayment schedule or request a waiver; or
o If your benefits were suspended and can now be reinstated.
You can find your local field office inquiry line by accessing our Field Office Locator.
When to call the National 800 Number:
Our 800# agents can assist with limited transactions and are focused on helping those people most in need. During the pandemic, if your request can be processed online, our agents will redirect you to use our online services.
We also offer several automated telephone services that you can do without speaking with an 800# agent.
Our 800# agents can assist with the following limited transactions:
If you are not receiving benefits:
• Scheduling a telephone appointment to apply for disability and survivor benefits
o If you have a terminal illness;
o If you are a Wounded Warrior;
o If you may qualify for an immediate Supplemental Security Income payment based certain severe disabilities;
o If your disability qualifies for our Compassionate Allowance or Quick Disability Determination processes; and
o Other applications for benefits including retirement, survivors, Social Security disability, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income claims.
If you are receiving benefits:
• Resolving payment-related issues including:
o Change of Address;
o Direct Deposit Change;
o Death Reports;
o Requests to reinstate benefits; and
o Reports of non-receipt of payment. (Note: If you are reporting a non-receipt of payment, we will investigate and send payments by mail, or we will schedule an appointment for you to visit the office for pickup.)
• Other critical actions such as taking Medicare and Medicaid applications necessary for health-care coverage.
• Handling Representative Payee and other changes that ensure you continue to receive benefits.
To the extent possible, we will complete all other applications for Retirement, Survivor, Disability, or Supplemental Security Income benefits. We encourage individuals applying for routine retirement and disability benefits to apply online.