The best option in the interim is to go online for answers., When you visit the Social Security website, an orange bar at the top of the home page announces "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates." Using the frequently asked questions page can be a lot easier and a lot quicker than using any of the other methods. You can request a replacement card, apply for benefits, or request a Social Security statement. Generally, we do not publish the phone numbers of our local offices. Even under less dire circumstances than the current COVID-19 outbreak, most experts say to avoid the Social Security office as much as you can. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I need to speak to a person regarding income tax and Social Security Benefits. . "Office Closings and Emergencies." If you need assistance with a Social Security disability claim, you'd think you'd be able to call your local Social Security office and ⦠If you have a question, you can contact the Social Security Administration in three ways: online, by phone, and in person. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or our National 800 Number. Representatives are available between 7a.m. The website allows you to do just about everything, and if you're looking for good strategies on how to maximize your benefits, the local Social Security Administration office can’t help you anyway. Visiting a Social Security office should be a last resort, as there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants. Social Security Number Misuse. The fastest way to reach them is to call their main phone number, but you can also send them an email or a letter in the mail. The address of the office is: Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries, 1100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235. If ⦠For more direct contact, visit a Social Security Office in your area. And don’t expect them to take an in-depth look at your situation the way a financial planner would. This article has been viewed 63,064 times. Social Security. We've been looking around trying to find a way that I can give him authorization to work on my behalf but the Social Security ⦠For the location and other information ⦠The easy answer is to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can listen to informational services on payment delivery dates, direct deposit, taxes, fraud, and supplemental security income. Do you suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse against Social Security? One worker may misinterpret the rules and deny you benefits or other privileges for which you’re eligible, so seeking multiple benefit estimates can help you find the best deal—kind of like shopping for a new car. What's more, during the coronavirus pandemic, Social Security offices have been closed to the public until further notice. Social Security. Medicare Part A, or Medicare hospital coverage, is one of the four parts of Medicare, the government’s health insurance program for older adults. The best answer to, âHow do I speak to a person at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and get an update on the status of your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claimâ is to reach out to your lawyersâ office. Direct Express ⦠They may be able to give you the number for your local office, or get a message to them to call ⦠Claimants have these ⦠So it's a good idea to plan accordingly when you call them. You can find local office phone numbers online by using our Social Security ⦠"POMS Home." Put a beneficiaryâs Social Security or SSI funds in the Representative Payeeâs or another person's account Keep conserved funds once they are no longer a Representative Payee for the beneficiary Charge the beneficiary for services unless authorized by the Social Security Administration to do ⦠The wait times to talk to the Social Security Administration on the phone can sometimes be very long, sometimes exceeding 2 hours. Some offices report lines out the door. Social Security Administration. Alternatively, you can contact the Social Security Administration online. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You’ll notice that you can apply for benefits, get a copy of your statement, appeal a decision by Social Security officials, and get estimates of your future benefits and Medicare services, among other things. Just heading to the office is an option, but you’ll probably wait more than a couple of hours to be seen. unlocking this staff-researched answer. Social Security Administration. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can also find out which activities are being tabled during the pandemic—such as not starting or completing any current medical continuing disability reviews and suspending the processing and collection of overpayments., This page also spells out what be done by phone, currently your only other option for getting issues resolved or questions answered—either by calling your local field office (accessed via a Field Office Locator) or the national 800 number (1-800-772-1213).. If you do not want to apply for benefits online, or you need to speak to the Social Security Administration for any other reason, you can schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment by calling the Social Security ⦠⦠Social Security Administration. What is the best way to contact Social Security? Accessed Aug. 24, 2020. Social Security. Weâre available Monday ⦠However, if you have ANY ⦠For tips on how to contact the Social Security Administration outside of the United States, keep reading! Clicking on it takes you to a page of FAQs and the option to subscribe for further updates. My name is*****: These retirement ⦠You can also schedule in-person appointments, during which time the Social Security Administration office will arrange for an interpreter. Social Security cannot permit the use of an interpreter younger than 18. Be advised that due to this unprecedented situation, you may have a extended wait. You can go right to the office if you need to handle matters such as filing for benefits or appealing a disability decision. How to Contact the Social Security Administration, Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html, https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/mail.html, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/103015/best-ways-contact-social-security-administration.asp, ponerte en contacto con la Administración del Seguro Social, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Youâll need ⦠Thankfully, there are usually three ways to contact Social Security to get info and solve issues. When Social Security offices are reopened, if you can’t resolve your problem or find the information you need on the website or over the phone, you can go to one of the field offices (the website offers a Social Security Office Locator, which works via zip code). Contacting your local Social Security ⦠Support wikiHow by We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. When asked how she manages on $800 a month, she says, âI donât complain. Recipients are directed to call a number that may mislead beneficiaries to provide personal information or payment via gift cards and other schemes. The Social Security hearing is probably the most stressful part of the claim for most people. Even if you have the number of your local office, you'll probably want to start with the SSA’s automated system., If you call, you can perform many services, including requesting a benefit verification letter and/or statement of your benefits, inquiring about the status of a claim, applying for a replacement card, finding the address of your local office, and conducting some business related to Medicare.. Automated telephone services can be used 24 hours a day to get information and to conduct some types of business. Giving Tuesday is a global initiative that encourages people to donate their time and money to charitable causes on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. If the automated system isn’t enough, you can speak to a representative between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.. Not all are created equal. âWe must protest and speak up to protect Social Security⦠Applying to become a representative payee usually requires a face-to-face interview at your local Social Security office, which you can schedule by calling 800-772-1213. If you are the widow of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can receive full benefits at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age 60. Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Use a qualified sign language interpreter. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, but not to talk . Accessed March 26, 2020. I'm currently receiving SSI benefits from Social Security and I would like to make it so my fiance can deal with them because I don't do well on the phone. Total wait time: 2 minutes; Details on how to reach a live person at TransUnion: To speak to a human at TransUnion, I had to speak ⦠We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The Social Security Administration does provide interpreters free of charge. "Request a Replacement Social Security Number (SSN) Card Online." By using our site, you agree to our. To schedule an appointment, youâll need to call the SSAâs main phone number. You can view a list of the online services by visiting the What You Can Do Online page. References. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 63,064 times. If someone uses your Social Security ⦠For retirement and disability benefits, the Social Security ⦠I can help you but have no ability to directly access social security's confidential information they have for you. Visit the SSAâs website to contact them by email. Social Security is a federally run insurance program that provides benefits to many American retirees, their survivors, and workers who become disabled. Speak to a Live Person at Direct Express. If you cannot handle your business through our automated services, you can speak to a Social Security representative by calling toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 am â 7:00 pm⦠To start, itâs probably the first time the person is in front of a judge. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. So your next step might be to call. You can also download a number of application forms including the disability report form, the special benefits for World War II Veterans form, or the Social Security card application form. You can call 800-772-1213 to speak with an interpreter who speaks Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek⦠Can you walk into a Social Security office without an appointment? The Social Security Administration will not suspend or discontinue benefits because its offices are closed to the public for in-person service., Unlike some other government websites (the IRS, for one), the Social Security website is easy to use for those who speak English, and it offers nearly all of the services you need. But the person they were actually talking to was just an agent from one of the local Baltimore area Social Security field offices. Each heading on this page has a drop-down menu that points you in the right direction based on your specific needs.. SSAâs OIG ... ⢠Why the person committed the fraud (if known) ⢠Who else has knowledge of the potential violation. It is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Did you know that more than 2,700 rules govern your Social Security benefits? wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The number of states (plus Washington, D.C.) whose residents can request a replacement Social Security card online.. Not only are SSA employees extremely busy, but they also cannot offer advice on how to maximize your benefits. Accessed March 26, 2020. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam, Request a Replacement Social Security Number (SSN) Card Online. The Social Security Administration (SSA) processes death reports for both Social Security and Medicare recipients. and 7p.m., Monday through Friday. You could schedule an appointment to apply for a replacement Social Security number card. But be forewarned: It probably won’t be fun. Report the Death of a Social Security or Medicare Beneficiary. To contact the Social Security Administration, try calling them toll free at 1-800-772-1213. Give them a chance and they may be able to help you. Yes, we know what sort of negative connotations the idea of communicating with a government agency conjures up. The visitor's problem was usually taken care of, and he ⦠Read more below about reaching Social Security online, by phone, or—at a later date—in person. Teletax is a fully automated phone service that offers prerecorded messages on various tax topics for callers. By calling 1-800-772-1213, you can use our automated telephone services to get recorded information and conduct some business 24 hours a day⦠You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our. Last Updated: October 3, 2019 Just like the SSA’s offices, the website has certain hours of operation during which you can conduct business. Bring your own interpreter such as a friend or family member. Some Social Security experts advise visiting multiple field offices in order to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your benefits. wikiHow's. A lot of people donât have enough to make ends meet.â But she does worry about rising drug costs and the future of Social Security. Personal information requests must be handled over the phone and not over email. If you do not want to apply for benefits online, or you need to speak to us for any other reason, you can schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment by: Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 am â 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday; or. Yet some 31% of women and 27% of men tapped into Social Security ⦠Inspector General Gail S. Ennis has warned that scammers are already at work, sending fraudulent letters through the mail that threaten suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. Staffing is an issue. The next time you call (or visit) your local Social Security office, youâll speak to a Service Representative. "Inspector General Warns Public About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam." Social Security personnel can explain rules and analyze your eligibility for benefits, but don't expect them to help you strategize about the best ways to collect your benefits. Accessed Feb. 17, 2020. You can schedule an appointment, though it could take weeks or more than a month to get one. Speak Up. Most offices will be open Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm and closed on the weekends, but itâs important to read the hours for your local office just to make sure. To report a death: Provide the deceased person's Social Security ⦠Please call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance. Accessed 10/8/2020. You can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ). Most advisers and financial columnists wag their fingers at people who take Social Security as soon as they qualify at age 62. Since Social Security doesn’t publish the phone numbers of most local offices, you likely have to call the main number at 1-800-772-1213. Call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213[1] X Trustworthy Source US Social Security Administration Independent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related information Go to source any time for automated services. Social Security advises calling on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to cut down on your hold time. "Contact Social Security By Phone." This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. Here are the top reasons why cardholders call Direct Express customer service, based on complaints we have gathered from the BBB, Consumer Affairs and other sources.. Itâs Very Hard to Speak to a Live Person. On March 17, 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Social Security offices were closed to the public until further notice. Instead, try AARP, or consult with a financial planner, estate-planning attorney, or Social Security expert who can help you figure out the best way to structure and maximize your benefits. To be able to speak with social security on behalf of your husband ⦠Reassuringly, SSA is extending deadlines for documentation "wherever possible." These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. Visit the SSA's contact page to find other resources and important information: For faster service over the phone, the Social Security website advises that you call after Monday. Accessed March 26, 2020. Since Social Security doesn’t publish the phone numbers of most local offices, you may have to call the main number at 1-800-772-1213. They receive more calls on Monday as people are trying to contact them after waiting over the weekend. Lip-read what the Social Security representative says. If you need to speak to someone in person, make sure you call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Social Security will provide deaf or hard of hearing people with free assistance and services, or you can bring your own interpreter if they are over 18. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administers major healthcare programs in the U.S. Automated services include but are not limited to requesting a benefit verification letter, requesting a replacement Medicare Card, asking for a benefit claim status, and finding the address of the local Social Security office. Within each Social Security office there is a hierarchy of representatives. . Direct Express Login Help. If you do not need to speak directly with a Social Security representative and are able to utilize the automated phone system, you can reach the system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800 ⦠Check the officeâs hours to make sure youâre arriving at the right time. The biggest complaint about the Direct Express card is how hard it is to speak ⦠Due to budget cuts to the SSA, there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants. How to Report a Death to Social Security. We know ads can be annoying, but theyâre what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Can you give me the phone number for the office in Cleburne, Texas? Keep the secret telephone number of the claims representatives at the local Social Security office. If you really canât stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If youâd rather speak to someone face to face, use the Social Security office locator online to find out where your nearest office is. Luckily, a significant number of those rules probably don’t apply to you—but how do you have a chance of interpreting all these rules on your own when there are thousands of explanations in the agency’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS)?. This number can be used 24 hours a day for automated services, like requesting a new Medicare card or a benefits verification letter. Accessed March 26, 2020. In some cases—if you need to request a Social Security card or update certain kinds of personal information—you may have to visit an office. "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates." 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