Folks have been waiting in long lines at their local SSA offices, since the offices re-opened this summer.
Some of these lines extend outside the building and out into the parking lot. As a result, some folks spend HOURS outside in the heat while waiting in line. This is hard on everyone, but especially dangerous for the disabled and elderly.
The House Ways and Means Committee describes people waiting in line for more than six hours in nearly 100-degree heat, and sometimes they have to do this several different days before getting the service they need. The Committee has written a letter asking SSA to make changes that address the safety of these people who are forced to stand outside in the heat while trying to get help.
You can see their letter about this issue, here: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/LetterSSAonService81622.pdf
Let’s hope that Social Security is able to safely accommodate these folks who need to seek help in-person. In the meantime, if you can get your questions answered online or by telephone – please try these methods, first.
Going to your local office in person is RARELY faster or more effective than calling your local office or SSA’s national 800 number.
Here are some other ways to get answers or contact SSA:
1-800-772-1213 – Call the National 800 Number between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. (10:00 am – 4:00pm have the longest wait times.)
https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp – Use this page to find the phone number for your local office
https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/ – Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/ – suggestions for ways to find answers or reach SSA
