Column: What To Expect When Us Social Security Field Offices Reopen In April
The good news: The sprawling network of more than 1,200 Social Security field offices around the United States will reopen to the public in early April after a two-year COVID-19 shutdown. During that time, nearly all public service has been available only online, and by phone and mail. Millions of Americans who need in-person help from the agency can now start to get it.
The bad news: The Social Security Administration is bracing for a crush of office visitors. Along with the pent-up demand created by the long shutdown, the agencys national toll-free number has been experiencing problems, with some callers getting busy signals or abrupt disconnections, which an SSA spokesman confirmed. The phone system problems are expected to increase demand further in the initial weeks of the reopening.
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The return to office comes at a time when the SSA was working to replace staff lost during the pandemic. But hiring has been frozen due to a lower-than-expected operating budget signed into law last week as part of a $1.5 trillion U.S. government spending bill for 2022. The SSA budget rose by $411 million to a total of $13.3 billion – less than half of what the Biden administration had requested.
Our 2022 funding level will complicate our efforts to improve services to the public, although we remain committed to doing so, said Mark Hinkle, the agencys press officer, via email.
When Husband Dies Does Wife Get His Social Security
These are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive: Widow or widower, full retirement age or older 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 full retirement age 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker’s basic amount. Widow or widower with a disability aged 50 through 59 71½%.
Location Of Social Security Offices
Mountain View:
701 N. Shoreline Blvd. Ist floor, Mountain View, CA 94043Phone: 1-800-772-1213
601 Allerton Street, Second floor, Redwood City, CA 94063Phone: 1-800-772-1213
The social security office will NOT issue you an SSN if your appointment is more than 30 days before your employment start date
Read Also: Nearest Social Security Office To Me
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For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet all requirements.
U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call +880 2 55662000.
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Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S. that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Closures Or Delays Affecting In
Local Social Security offices are offering more in-person appointments and have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. As we expand in-person service, we strongly encourage you to continue to go online, call us for help, and schedule appointments in advance.
This webpage lists the small number of offices that temporarily:
- may provide service only by appointment due to construction, inability to permit people to wait outside the office, or other reasons.
- may be closed to the public.
To confirm the address of the office listed, enter the zip code provided below in our office locator at .
To learn more about the three topics below, visit .
- How to Get Help from Social Security
- Know Before You Go
- What to Know About Hearings
All offices are open at this time.
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Still A Good Idea To Make An Appointment For In
Social Security field offices, closed since March 17, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened Thursday, April 7.
During the pandemic, in-person appointments at Social Security field offices were limited to critical situations, such as for people who were without food, medicine or shelter. While most offices can help you without an appointment, a few offices are closed or open by appointment only. Find out which offices are closed or open by appointment only, by visiting ssa.gov/emergency. SSA encourages you to make an appointment as this will help them plan for you.
You can do many things online at ssa.gov, such as apply for benefits. Also, with a personal my Social Security account, you can get an instant benefit verification letter or check the status of your application most people can request a replacement Social Security card.
How Open Ssa Offices Will Affect The Agency’s Backlog Issues
Since the SSA has closed its offices, nearly all of the agencys business with the public has been handled via phone, online and mail.
This has caused a tremendous amount of systematic backlog and serious administrative issues.
For instance, in 2020 the height of Covid19 the agency only answered 51% of calls received, reports Forbes.
More recently, it’s also been difficult for claimants to get in touch with an SSA representative.
According to the Office of the Inspector General, the agency lacks comprehensive policies and procedures to track and return original documents, including drivers licenses, birth certificates and passports.
Nancy Altman, president of the nonprofit Social Security Works advocacy group, is excited about SSA’s offices opening.
However, she noted on January 21, 2022, that the SSA needs to do more to improve service to the public.
She said: Even before the pandemic, Social Security was facing a customer service crisis due to underfunding.
“Congress must allow SSA to spend enough of Social Securitys $2.9trillion accumulated surplus to not just safely reopen offices, but expand both the workforce and number of offices.
“The American people have earned, paid for, and deserve first class service.
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Help With Social Security Number
Just like with benefit issues, getting an appointment for help with your Social Security number has a priority system as well. These appointments are reserved for people age 12 and over who are getting their first Social Security card or need to update information related to their Social Security number such as a name change or citizenship status change. These people may also be unwilling or unable to mail original documents. For example, you might not want to mail your original birth certificate or drivers license to prove your identity on your application. So, you could make an appointment to accomplish this. Simply requesting a replacement card is not enough to warrant an appointment in most cases. Replacement Social Security cards can be requested online as well as replacement Medicare cards.
What Is A Social Security Card
Your Social Security card is an important piece of identification. You’ll need one to get a job, collect Social Security, or receive other government benefits.
When you apply for a Social Security number , the Social Security Administration will assign you a nine-digit number. This is the same number that is printed on the Social Security card that SSA will issue you. If you change your name, you will need to get a corrected card.
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Social Security Offices Will Open To The Public April 7 No Appointment Required
The Social Security Administration finally released a date that its field offices will reopen to the public after closing a year-and-a-half ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find: Social Security Offices How Can I Find One Near Me?
Social Security offices will restore in-person services on Thursday, April 7, including for people without an appointment, SSA Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said in a statement on Monday.
Because of an expected rush of visitors when offices reopen, the SSA still strongly encourages people to use online services whenever possible. And even though you dont need an appointment to get in-person service, youre also strongly encouraged to schedule one to avoid waiting in a long line.
Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays and longer waits at our offices, Kijakazi said. Be aware that our offices tend to be the busiest first thing in the morning, early in the week and during the early part of the month, so people may want to plan to visit at other times.
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The SSA will also continue to require safety measures such as masking, physical distancing and self-health checks for COVID-19 symptoms. The agency will provide masks to the public and employees if they need them.
Just dont be surprised if you cant get through immediately.
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Who Is Eligible For A Social Security Number
- F-1 students who have on-campus employment, or are receiving fellowships which requires employment or RA/TAships, or working off-campus on OPT or CPT
- J-1 students, who have a letter of permission to work from their sponsor. This could be Stanford or an outside organization, i.e. Fulbright.
- If you are a new F-1 or J-1 student, wait 30 days AFTER the I-20/DS-2019 program start date before applying for an SSN.
- All J-1 Scholars
- J-2 spouses with work permission
- Employees in H-1B, TN or O-1 status
If you are not eligible for a social security number, you may apply for an ITIN .
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How Do Benefits Work And How Can I Qualify
While you work, you pay Social Security taxes. This tax money goes into a trust fund that pays benefits to:
- Those who are currently retired
- To people with disabilities
- To the surviving spouses and children of workers who have died
Each year you work, youll get credits to help you become eligible for benefits when its time for you to retire. Find all the benefits Social Security Administration offers.
There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers:
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Learn about earning limits if you plan to work while receiving Social Security benefits
Terms & Conditions Of Use
In return for the Ministry of Government Services providing you with a ONe-key ID, you agree to abide by the following Terms and Conditions of Use:
- You understand and accept that you are at all times responsible for your ONe-key ID, Password and Recovery Questions, Answers and Hints.
- If you suspect that others have obtained them, you are responsible for either changing your password or asking the services that you are enrolled in to revoke your access privileges. If you choose the latter, you will have to create a new ONe-key ID and Password, you will also have to request new enrolment information from the services with whom you were enrolled.
- You understand and accept that the Government of Ontario can revoke your ONe-key for security or administrative reasons.
- You understand and accept that the Government of Ontario disclaims all liability in relation to the use of, delivery of or reliance upon the ONe-key service. More details can be found in our disclaimers and in the disclaimers of the individual services.
- You understand and accept that a record of your registration will be kept in accordance with the Archives and Record Keeping Act even if you choose to delete your ONe-key account. Your account will be removed permanently seven years after you chose to delete it.
- Some ONe-key Enabled Services may have service-specific Terms and Conditions of Use. Please refer to each service web pages for details.
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Social Security Administration Will Allow People To Choose Their Gender Markers
The Social Security Administration announced on Wednesday that it will allow U.S. citizens to self-select a gender marker on their records. In a press release, the office explicitly said that this move was meant to better accommodate transgender Americans.
The Social Security Administrations Equity Action Plan includes a commitment to decrease administrative burdens and ensure people who identify as gender diverse or transgender have options in the Social Security Number card application process, said the offices acting commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi. This new policy allows people to self-select their sex in our records without needing to provide documentation of their sex designation.
The administration helps promote economic security and gives payments to about 63 million Americans, many of whom are either retired or disabled. According to its own website, it is the most successful anti-poverty program in U.S. history.
People who update their gender marker will need to apply for a replacement social security card, according to the offices press release. Applicants will need to show a current document to prove their identity, but will not be required to show medical or legal documentation of their sex. Social security cards themselves, the agency points out, do not have a gender marker on them.
The Social Security Administrations new policy is now in effect for any Americans wishing to amend their records.
How Do I Protect Myself From Social Security Scams
Scammers use phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters to impersonate Social Security personnel and trick people into giving up personal information.
Common tactics include asking for your Social Security number and threatening to cut off Social Security benefits if personal information isnt provided.
Always remember, the Social Security Administration offers free forms and services.
If you suspect that youve been a victim of a Social Security scam or wish to report any attempts, you can call the Office of the Inspector General hotline from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
You can also submit a fraud report through the OIG website.
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Local Social Security Offices Re
Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy responded to the Social Security Administration fully reopening local offices to the public, after community branches were closed for maximum telework for 2 years, including those in Kern and Tulare Counties and Lancaster, California. During this time, McCarthy has been urging the Biden administration to return SSA offices back to normalcy in order to support the needs of Americans. McCarthy released the following statement:Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to the American people, and the lack of in-person assistance at local SSA offices has only exacerbated this crisis. Given the difficulties many faced with restricted access to in-person services at local SSA and other federal offices, I have continuously pressed the Biden administration to reverse this policy and to safely end maximum telework for federal employees.Though the administration was slow to act, I am pleased it has finally responded to the American peoples and my call to fully reopen the SSA starting today. Now, Californians and Americans across the nation can once again meet with local Social Security representatives in-person without an appointment to resolve any pressing issues regarding their benefits or eligibility. These offices are located at:Social Security Administration Office
Getting A Social Security Number For A New Baby
The easiest way to get a Social Security number for your child is at the hospital after they are born when you apply for your childs birth certificate. If you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while SSA verifies your childs birth certificate.
Your child will need their own Social Security number so you can:
- Claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return
- Open a bank account in their name
- Get medical coverage for them
- Apply for government services for them
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Does Changing Social Security Address Change Medicare Address
Why do I contact Social Security to change my address with Medicare? Medicare works with SSA to maintain your records, so sometimes you have to contact SSA to update your information. If you have Medicare, even if you don’t get Social Security benefits, you still contact SSA to update your address with Medicare.
Social Security Offices Will Reopen For First Time Since March 2020
The U.S. Social Security Administration’s main offices
Social Security offices have been closed nationwide since March 17, 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will reopen Thursday, April 7.
The Social Security Administration announced the news on Monday, April 4, via a statement from Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi.
Given that many of the people we serve have health vulnerabilities, and consistent with our union agreements, we are continuing to require certain safety measures including masking, physical distancing, and self-health checks for COVID-19 symptoms, Kijakazi said in the statement. We will provide masks to the public and employees if they need them.
Kijakazi recommends people use the SSAs online services at ssa.gov/onlineservices or call toll free at 1-800-772-1213 instead of going into offices, if possible. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.
For those wanting to go to the offices, appointments arent required but are strongly encouraged. They can be made online or via the phone number above.
Offices tend to be busiest first thing in the morning, early in the week and early in the month, Kijakazi said.
Michigan has 36 Social Security Administration offices in the following areas.
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Earn Ssa Work Credits In Some Countries
You may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your work credits from another country. The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits.