How to update phone number with SSA without endless hold times?
Hey everyone, I need to update my phone number with the SSA. Anyone have experience with this? What's the best way to go about it? I'm worried about long wait times and getting through to the right person. Any tips or advice would be really appreciated!
21 comments


Oliver Fischer
I just went through this last month. Here's what worked for me: • Call early in the morning, right when they open • Have your SSN and current address ready • Be polite but firm with the automated system • When you get a real person, clearly state your purpose • Ask them to confirm once the update is complete Hope this helps! Good luck 👍
0 coins
Natasha Ivanova
•This is solid advice. I'd add: write down the name of the person you talk to and get a confirmation number if possible.
0 coins
NebulaNomad
•Early morning? Ugh, I'm not a morning person. Any luck calling later in the day?
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Later can work too, but wait times tend to be longer. If you're not a morning person, try right after lunch. Sometimes there's a lull then.
0 coins
Javier Garcia
Honestly, calling the SSA is a nightmare. I spent hours on hold last time I tried to update my info. There has to be a better way!
0 coins
Emma Taylor
•Preach! 🙌 The whole system needs an overhaul. It's 2023, why can't we just do this stuff online?
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•ikr? its like they're stuck in the stone age or smthn 🦕
0 coins
Isabella Silva
I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's the link: https://claimyr.com
0 coins
Ravi Choudhury
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
0 coins
CosmosCaptain
•20 bucks? That's steep. Is it really worth it?
0 coins
Isabella Silva
•I get the skepticism, but for me it was worth every penny. Saved me hours of frustration and got my issue resolved quickly.
0 coins
Freya Johansen
Have you tried updating your info online? Sometimes you can do it through the SSA website without having to call.
0 coins
Omar Fawzi
ugh, i feel your pain. spent 3 hours on hold last week trying to do the same thing. this system is broken af 😤
0 coins
Chloe Wilson
•3 hours? You got off easy. I once waited 5 hours only to get disconnected right when someone picked up. I nearly threw my phone out the window 😡
0 coins
Diego Mendoza
Pro tip: if you have a local SSA office nearby, sometimes it's faster to go in person. Just be prepared to wait in line.
0 coins
Anastasia Romanov
•This! I did this and was in and out in under an hour. Way better than being on hold forever.
0 coins
StellarSurfer
•Depends on where you live tho. My local office is always packed. YMMV
0 coins
Connor Gallagher
Another option to consider is using the callback feature if they offer it. Some government agencies let you request a callback instead of staying on hold - you keep your place in line but don't have to sit there listening to hold music for hours. Worth asking about when you first get through to the automated system!
0 coins
Ava Williams
•That's a great tip! I didn't even know callback was an option with SSA. Definitely beats listening to that awful hold music on repeat. Do you know if all their phone lines offer this feature or just certain ones?
0 coins
Victoria Jones
You can also try calling right around 2-3 PM on weekdays - I've noticed that's often a sweet spot where hold times aren't as brutal. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready before calling: SSN, current address, old phone number, and new phone number. Having everything organized saves time once you get through. One thing that helped me was writing down exactly what I needed to say beforehand so I wouldn't stumble when I finally got a person on the line!
0 coins
Alina Rosenthal
•This is really helpful advice! I never thought about writing down what to say beforehand - that's actually brilliant. I always get flustered when I finally get someone on the phone and forget half of what I wanted to ask. The 2-3 PM timing tip is interesting too. I usually assume mid-afternoon would be busy, but maybe that's when people are less likely to call government offices. Thanks for sharing your experience!
0 coins