Does Social Security phone line complete all calls in queue at closing time or cut off callers?

They're supposed to answer all calls in queue before closing. That's the official policy. But I've been disconnected right at 4:00 twice last month, so I don't think they always follow it. Might depend on which office you're connected to or how busy they are that day.

This has happened to me too. For what it's worth, I've found that mornings (especially early in the week) tend to have shorter wait times. Calling after lunch or on Fridays is almost always a nightmare. Glad you finally got through!

I've been in the EXACT same boat trying to sort out my retirement benefits! SO FRUSTRATING! I was on hold for TWO HOURS last Thursday and then got disconnected at 4:01pm!! I was LIVID! 😠 Called back the next day and they said they SHOULD finish the queue but sometimes the system automatically disconnects callers. RIDICULOUS system for people who are elderly or disabled!!

I work as a benefits coordinator and deal with SSA regularly. Their policy is to answer all calls in queue before closing, but there are exceptions. During extremely high volume days, they sometimes have to implement what they call "managed queue procedures" where they stop accepting new calls 30-60 minutes before closing but still process existing ones. Also, if you're on hold for more than 2 hours, the system sometimes disconnects automatically regardless of time of day - it's a technical limitation, not a policy decision.

I've been trying to reach someone about my husband's survivor benefits for weeks now! Last time I called I waited for over 90 minutes before getting disconnected right before closing time. So discouraging. I'm going to try the morning approach tomorrow based on your experience. Has anyone here tried using Claimyr? My neighbor mentioned it - apparently it's a service that calls SSA for you and then connects you when an agent is on the line. There's a video explaining it at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and their website is claimyr.com. I'm considering trying it because I'm just so tired of the endless waiting.

Update on my experience: The agent I spoke with this morning explained that they're supposed to answer all calls in queue, but sometimes their phone system has technical issues. She recommended calling first thing in the morning (they open at 8am) or trying your local office instead of the main number.

my cousin works for SSA and says they're crazy understaffed right now. they've lost like 25% of their workforce since 2010 but the number of beneficiaries keeps going up. no wonder the phones are a disaster

As someone who recently went through a similar struggle, I can relate to the frustration! I've found that persistence really pays off with SSA calls. One tip that worked for me: if you get disconnected, try calling back immediately - sometimes you'll get a shorter wait time because the queue has cleared out a bit. Also, I've noticed that calling on Wednesdays around 10am tends to have better success rates than other times. The staffing issues others mentioned are real, but don't give up - the agents are generally very helpful once you finally get through to them!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been dealing with SSA for disability benefits - I've found that if you do get disconnected near closing time, it's worth trying to call back the next morning and mentioning that you were cut off the day before. Several agents have told me they can see notes about previous calls in their system, and they're often more willing to prioritize helping you get your issue resolved quickly. Also, if you're calling about something urgent (like missing payments or time-sensitive deadlines), don't hesitate to mention that upfront when you first get connected - they have protocols for handling urgent cases that might get you faster service.

I'm really glad to see this thread with so many helpful experiences and tips! As someone who just started navigating SSA services for my elderly mother, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the stories about long wait times and disconnections. Reading through everyone's advice about calling Tuesday-Thursday mornings, trying the callback strategy after disconnections, and knowing that agents can see previous call notes has given me a much better game plan. It's also reassuring to learn that the official policy is to complete calls in queue before closing, even if it doesn't always work out that way due to technical issues or staffing challenges. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable for people like me who are new to dealing with SSA!

This is such a helpful thread! I've been putting off calling SSA about updating my address after moving, and reading everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to finally make that call. The tip about Tuesday-Thursday mornings around 10am seems to be the consensus from multiple people here. I'm also going to try the online route first since several folks mentioned it's faster for routine updates. It's frustrating that the system has these issues, but at least knowing what to expect and having strategies makes it feel less daunting. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - it's so much more useful than the generic advice you find on official websites!

I'm so grateful for all the detailed advice in this thread! I've been avoiding calling SSA about setting up my Medicare Part B enrollment because I was dreading the wait times, but now I feel much more prepared. The consensus seems to be Tuesday-Thursday mornings around 10am, and I love the tip about calling back immediately if you get disconnected since the queue might be shorter. I also didn't realize that mentioning urgency upfront could help prioritize your call - that's really good to know. It's reassuring to hear that while the system has its problems, the agents themselves are generally helpful once you get through. Thanks to everyone for sharing such practical, real-world advice!

As someone who's been dealing with SSA for my disabled son's benefits, I can confirm that they do try to complete calls in queue, but the system definitely has its limitations. I've had mixed experiences - sometimes they've kept me on until after 4:30pm to resolve my issue, other times I've been cut off right at closing. One thing I've learned is that if you're calling about something truly urgent (like a stopped payment or appeal deadline), make sure to mention that as soon as you get connected to a human. They have different protocols for emergency situations vs. routine inquiries. Also, I've found that calling your local field office directly can sometimes be more reliable than the national 1-800 number, especially later in the day. The staffing shortage mentioned earlier is definitely real - I've had agents apologize for long wait times and explain they're doing their best with limited resources. It's frustrating, but understanding the challenges helps me stay patient. Hang in there everyone!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips in this thread! I'm completely new to dealing with SSA - haven't even made my first call yet - and I was honestly dreading it based on all the horror stories you hear. But reading through all of your practical advice has made me feel so much more prepared and confident about the process. The Tuesday-Thursday 10am calling window seems to be the clear winner from multiple people's experiences, and I love all the strategic tips like calling back immediately after a disconnection and mentioning urgent issues upfront. It's also really reassuring to know that while the system has its problems, the agents themselves are generally helpful once you get through. I'm planning to call next Tuesday morning about setting up my retirement benefits, and I feel like I actually have a game plan now instead of just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. This community knowledge is so much more valuable than anything on their official website!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this detailed discussion! I've been avoiding calling SSA about my late husband's survivor benefits because I was terrified of the long wait times and potential disconnections. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that the official policy is to complete calls in queue, even if technical issues sometimes interfere. The consistent advice about Tuesday-Thursday mornings around 10am gives me a concrete plan to follow. I also really appreciate the tips about mentioning urgent situations upfront and the suggestion to try local field office numbers instead of the national line. It's comforting to know that despite the system's flaws, the agents themselves are generally helpful and knowledgeable. I'm planning to call this Tuesday morning with all my paperwork organized, and I finally feel prepared instead of just anxious. Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this kind of community support makes such a difference for those of us navigating SSA services for the first time!

As someone who just joined this community specifically to get advice about SSA phone calls, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly detailed thread! I've been putting off calling about my disability application status for weeks because I was so intimidated by all the stories about impossible wait times and disconnections. Reading through all these real experiences and strategies has completely changed my approach. The Tuesday-Thursday 10am window seems to be the golden rule from multiple people's experiences, and I love the practical tips like calling back immediately after disconnections and having all documents ready beforehand. It's also really helpful to know that mentioning urgent situations upfront can make a difference in how your call is prioritized. What strikes me most is how patient and understanding everyone is about the system's limitations while still providing actionable advice. The insight about staffing shortages and technical issues helps explain the problems without excusing them. I'm planning to call this Wednesday morning armed with all this community wisdom - wish me luck!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone like me who's been dreading calling SSA! I need to update my direct deposit information after switching banks, and I've been putting it off for weeks because of all the horror stories about wait times. The consistent advice about Tuesday-Thursday mornings around 10am gives me hope that I can actually get through without spending my entire day on hold. I'm also going to try the online route first through my.ssa.gov since several people mentioned that routine updates like address and banking changes often go faster online. It's reassuring to know that even with all the system challenges, the agents are generally helpful once you reach them. Planning to tackle this Tuesday morning with all my account information ready - thanks everyone for sharing such practical advice!

As someone new to this community and dealing with SSA for the first time, I'm amazed by how helpful this thread has been! I've been nervous about calling regarding my spouse's Social Security number correction (there's a typo that's causing issues with our tax filing), but reading everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence. The Tuesday-Thursday 10am strategy seems to be the gold standard based on multiple people's success, and I love the tip about calling back immediately if disconnected since the queue might be shorter. I also didn't realize that having all your documentation ready beforehand could help resolve multiple issues in one call - that's such practical advice! It's reassuring to hear that despite the system's challenges, the agents are knowledgeable and patient once you get through. I'm planning to call this Thursday morning with all our paperwork organized. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - this community wisdom is invaluable for newcomers like me!