Social Security name change and ex-spouse benefits - impossible to get an appointment!

Same here!!!! I've been trying to reach them for over a MONTH about my SSDI application status. The phone system is completely BROKEN! It either disconnects or puts me on hold for 2+ hours and then disconnects anyway. The online system is a JOKE too - half the time it's down for "maintenance" and the other half it gives error messages. I've driven to my local office TWICE only to be turned away because they're "appointment only" - but HOW are we supposed to make appointments when no one answers the phones?!?! It's a ridiculous catch-22 that feels INTENTIONAL to prevent people from getting help.

I've helped several clients with this exact problem. Here's what works best: 1. Call right when they open (exactly 8:00 AM local time) 2. If using a cell phone, try using a landline instead (their system sometimes blocks cell numbers they think are robocalls) 3. When prompted by the automated system, press '1' for English then '0' repeated times until it transfers you 4. Have all your information ready: SSN, birth date, marriage/divorce dates, and your ex's SSN if possible For your specific situation: Since you need both a name change and to explore ex-spouse benefits, you definitely need a personal appointment. For ex-spouse benefits, you'll need to have been married at least 10 years (which you were), be at least 62 (which you are at 64), and be currently unmarried. You can receive up to 50% of your ex's benefit amount if that's higher than your own benefit.

just go to the office super early and wait in line, thats what i did. got there at 6am with a chair and coffee. they opened at 9 but started giving out appointment tickets at 8. got one and saw someone that day. the phone system is useless lol

I was exactly in your shoes last month! After trying for weeks to get an appointment, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes. Their system basically navigates the SSA phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when they've got an agent on the line. I was super skeptical but desperate, and it actually worked! I made my appointment and just had my name change processed last week. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or watch their demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU so you can see exactly what they do. For name changes and benefits questions, getting that direct line to an agent is really the fastest way. Regarding your ex-spouse benefits question - when you do get your appointment, bring your divorce decree and marriage certificate. Since you were married more than 10 years, you definitely qualify to at least explore those benefits. The agent can run calculations to show whether your own record or half of your ex's would give you more.

Hi there! I worked at SSA for 22 years before retiring last year, so I might be able to offer some insight. The phone systems have been overwhelmed since the pandemic, unfortunately. Here's my advice: 1. For online accounts, are you getting a specific error message? Sometimes there's an identity verification issue that needs resolving. 2. For name changes, you absolutely need a new SS card, which requires either an in-person or mail application with your divorce decree and ID. 3. For ex-spouse benefits (technically called "divorced spouse benefits"), since you're 64, you have options. You can file for reduced benefits now or wait until your Full Retirement Age for the full 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount. One thing many people don't realize is that you can actually mail in your application for a name change - Form SS-5 with certified copies of your documents. It takes longer but avoids the appointment struggle.

my cousin had the same problem but she went to her congressmans office and they have special liaisons that can contact ssa directly. she got her appointment in 2 days after trying for weeks by herself. worth a shot!

i had to change my name with them last year after my divorce and i just mailed in the form with my divorce papers. took like 3 weeks to get my new card but saved me the headache of an appointment. for the benefits question tho youll probably need to talk to someone

did u try calling right at 8am? thats what my neighbor said worked for her but i just did the wait in line thing

Update: I finally got through! Used a combination of the advice here - called at exactly 8:00am and kept pressing 0 when the automated system started talking. Was on hold for 45 minutes but actually spoke to a person! Have an appointment for next Tuesday for both the name change and benefits consultation. For anyone else struggling with this issue - persistence and early morning calls seem to be key. I'll update again after my appointment to let you know how it goes with the ex-spouse benefits questions. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congratulations on finally getting through! That's such a relief after all that frustration. I'm dealing with a similar situation - trying to get info about survivor benefits after my husband passed last year. I've been trying the phone system for weeks with no luck, but seeing your success gives me hope. I'm going to try the exact same approach - calling right at 8am sharp and hitting 0 repeatedly. Did you have to wait through any automated messages first, or did pressing 0 immediately skip everything? Also, when you were on hold for 45 minutes, did they give you any estimated wait time or just music? Really appreciate you sharing what worked and promise to update if I have success with the same method. Good luck with your appointment next Tuesday!

As someone who went through a similar nightmare trying to reach SSA last year, I feel your pain! The phone system is absolutely terrible. What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies: 1. Call at 7:59 AM and hit "call" right at 8:00 AM sharp - not 8:01, not 8:02, but exactly at 8:00 2. Have a backup plan - I also signed up for their callback service online (if you can get the website to work) 3. Try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday - Mondays and Fridays seem to be the worst For your ex-spouse benefits, you're in a good position since you were married 12 years and are over 62. Just know that if you file before your full retirement age, the benefit will be reduced. Since you're 64, you might want to compare what you'd get now versus waiting until your FRA. The name change can definitely be done by mail if you have certified copies of your divorce decree - that might save you one trip at least! Form SS-5 is what you need. Hang in there, it's frustrating but you'll get through eventually!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another approach that worked for my sister last month. She was having the exact same issue - couldn't get through on the phone, website kept crashing, local office was appointment-only with no way to make appointments. What finally worked was contacting her state's Area Agency on Aging. They have special relationships with SSA and can often help seniors navigate these issues. Since you're 64, you qualify for their services. They made some calls on her behalf and got her an appointment within a week. Many people don't know this resource exists, but it's specifically designed to help people in situations like yours. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging by searching "[your state] Area Agency on Aging" or calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. They're used to dealing with SSA bureaucracy and know all the workarounds. Worth trying if the direct approach continues to frustrate you! Also, for the name change specifically - I agree with others that mailing Form SS-5 with certified copies of your divorce decree is much easier. You can download the form from ssa.gov and avoid the appointment hassle entirely for that part.

I'm dealing with something similar - trying to get information about disability benefits after a work injury, and the phone system has been absolutely useless for over a month! Reading through everyone's suggestions here has been more helpful than anything I've found on the SSA website. I'm going to try the 8:00 AM sharp calling strategy tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll definitely look into the Area Agency on Aging option - I had no idea that resource existed. The fact that they have special relationships with SSA and can advocate for people sounds like exactly what we need when the normal channels are completely broken. For anyone else still struggling with this, it sounds like the key successful strategies from this thread are: 1. Call at exactly 8:00 AM (not 8:01!) 2. Press 0 repeatedly during the automated menu 3. Try Tuesday/Wednesday instead of Monday/Friday 4. Contact your Area Agency on Aging for help 5. Consider mailing forms when possible (like the SS-5 for name changes) 6. Contact your congressional representative as a last resort Thanks to everyone who shared what actually worked - it's so frustrating that we need workarounds just to access basic government services, but at least we're helping each other figure it out!