To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has closed its local offices across the country for in-person service until further notice effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
The SSA’s decision is intended to protect the health of the two groups of people it typically serves—seniors and those with underlying medical conditions who are most at risk for potentially life-threatening complications associated with the coronavirus.
However, those who need help with their Social Security benefits, the SSA suggests the following ways to access their assistance:
Visit the official SSA Website, www.SSA.gov. Through SSA’s official website, you can do the following:
Check out the FAQ page. The SSA notes that you can find answer to many questions through its FAQ page. Some questions you will find there include:
Call your local office. Although you cannot personally visit your local office now, you can still call to ask questions, or to receive help applying for benefits. Go to www.SSA.gov website and use the field office locator to reach a location near you.
Wait for a local SSA office to contact you. According to SSA, if you previously scheduled an in-office appointment, a SSA staffer will call you and handle the appointment over the phone. The SSA staffer will add this important detail: “Our call may come from a PRIVATE number and not from a U.S. Government phone. Please remember that our employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.”
Call the national SSA office. You can call the national SSA office at (800) 772-1213 or at (TTY 800-325-0778). Calling this number can patch you in to “automated service options you can use without waiting to speak with a telephone representative. You can find a list of these automated services on the SSA website.
Check out the SSA Coronavirus Webpage. The SSA has created a webpage for Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Updates. Included in the webpage are answers to frequently asked questions, including information on what the SSA is doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether or not Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income will be affected, scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, services available online and by phone, unemployment insurance, and more.
For more information, please visit the SSA Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Updates Webpage for more information.
The SSA’s decision is intended to protect the health of the two groups of people it typically serves—seniors and those with underlying medical conditions who are most at risk for potentially life-threatening complications associated with the coronavirus.
However, those who need help with their Social Security benefits, the SSA suggests the following ways to access their assistance:
Visit the official SSA Website, www.SSA.gov. Through SSA’s official website, you can do the following:
- Apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits;
- Check the status of an application or appeal;
- Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas);
- Print a benefit verification letter; and
- You can learn more about all of the above services on the “Online Services” webpage.
Check out the FAQ page. The SSA notes that you can find answer to many questions through its FAQ page. Some questions you will find there include:
- How do I change or correct my name on my Social Security number card?
- How do I apply for a new or replacement Social Security number card?
- How can I get a Social Security Statement that shows records of my earnings and an estimate of my future benefits?
- How can I change my address?
Call your local office. Although you cannot personally visit your local office now, you can still call to ask questions, or to receive help applying for benefits. Go to www.SSA.gov website and use the field office locator to reach a location near you.
Wait for a local SSA office to contact you. According to SSA, if you previously scheduled an in-office appointment, a SSA staffer will call you and handle the appointment over the phone. The SSA staffer will add this important detail: “Our call may come from a PRIVATE number and not from a U.S. Government phone. Please remember that our employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.”
Call the national SSA office. You can call the national SSA office at (800) 772-1213 or at (TTY 800-325-0778). Calling this number can patch you in to “automated service options you can use without waiting to speak with a telephone representative. You can find a list of these automated services on the SSA website.
Check out the SSA Coronavirus Webpage. The SSA has created a webpage for Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Updates. Included in the webpage are answers to frequently asked questions, including information on what the SSA is doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether or not Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income will be affected, scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic, services available online and by phone, unemployment insurance, and more.
For more information, please visit the SSA Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Updates Webpage for more information.
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How can I stay updated about what SSA is doing during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please continue to check this web page for updates. You may select Subscribe above to receive alerts from us when we add or change information on this page.
You may also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to our blog.