How to get help from the Social Security agency

Local Social Security offices continue to offer more in-person appointments and help people without an appointment.  As in-person service is expanded, agents strongly encourage you to continue to go online, call them for help, and schedule appointments in advance. 

Their online services allow individuals to apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more.

Those who can’t complete their business online can call toll-free at 1?800?772?1213 between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm local time to speak to a representative. For quicker access to a representative, try calling early in the day (between 8 am and 10 am local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 pm and 7 pm local time).  We are less busy later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month.  We also offer many automated telephone services 24 hours a day, that can be accessed without speaking to a representative.

While in-person appointments are not required, they are strongly recommended.  An appointment reduces wait time and ensures that individuals know which documents to bring, so their request can be resolved in a single visit.  Offices tend to be less busy later in the day, later in the week, and later in the month.

To learn more about scheduling an appointment and about the safety measures and restrictions at offices, please visit the webpage How to Get Help from Social Security before planning your visit.

Please share this information with your family members and friends.

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