Social Security offices refusing in-person benefit applications due to COVID - need phone appointment for January 2025 benefits
Just got back from the SSA office completely frustrated! Went in today hoping to apply for my retirement benefits (planning to start January 2025) and also handle a name change after my recent marriage. After waiting for nearly 2 hours, the agent called me back only to tell me they're no longer accepting in-person benefit applications because of 'COVID restrictions ramping up again'! I specifically came in person because when I called 3 months ago, they told me name changes had to be done alongside benefit applications in person. The agent did enter all my name verification documents into their system for my upcoming phone appointment, but seriously?? Has anyone else run into this? Are ALL offices doing this or just mine? Save yourself a wasted trip - apparently you MUST call to schedule a phone appointment for benefit applications now. So annoyed at the inconsistent information!
17 comments
Join the conversation
Sasha Reese
Same thing happened to my sister last week in Dallas. They wouldnt even let her apply in person! COVID is just an excuse for them to be lazy IMO
0 coins
Christian Burns
•So frustrating! Did your sister end up doing the phone appointment? Was it hard to get one scheduled?
0 coins
Muhammad Hobbs
This appears to be a new nationwide policy change. I helped my client through this last week. For anyone needing to apply: 1. Call the national number (1-800-772-1213) to schedule your phone appointment 2. For name changes, bring your documentation to the office BEFORE your phone appointment so they can scan it into the system 3. Make sure to have all your benefit information ready for the phone call (earnings history, bank account for direct deposit, etc.) Phone appointments are currently booking about 3-4 weeks out, so if you're planning on that January 2025 start date, you should call soon.
0 coins
Noland Curtis
•TY 4 this info! Do u know if we can also apply online instead of waiting 4 a phone appt? I'm planning to start my benefits in Feb 2025 but dont want 2 wait on hold 4ever to schedule
0 coins
Muhammad Hobbs
•Yes, you can apply online at ssa.gov for most retirement benefits, but there are exceptions. If you need a name change or have complex situations (WEP/GPO issues, needing to file for spousal benefits, etc.), you'll need to speak with an agent. The online application works well for straightforward retirement claims.
0 coins
Diez Ellis
I'm so confused by all this! I thought they were OPENING offices, not restricting them more. I've been waiting until my FRA in December to apply and was planning to go in person too. Does anyone know if there's a FASTER way to get these phone appointments? I've tried calling SSA before and it's impossible to get through - I was on hold for 2.5 hours last time before giving up.
0 coins
Vanessa Figueroa
•I went through this last month and found a service called Claimyr that helped me bypass the long hold times. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Basically, they hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration, especially since phone appointments are now required for most stuff. After using it, I got my phone appointment scheduled for the following week.
0 coins
Diez Ellis
•Thank you SO MUCH for this suggestion! I'm going to try it today. Did you find that the phone appointment itself went smoothly? I'm worried about them getting my FRA calculation wrong since I worked for state government for 15 years (potential WEP issues).
0 coins
Abby Marshall
Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: 1. This is NOT a nationwide policy - it varies by office and local COVID rates 2. Name changes MUST be verified with original documents, but they can scan these before your phone appointment 3. January 2025 benefits require application by September 2024 at the latest (you can apply up to 4 months in advance) 4. If you're dealing with WEP/GPO issues from government pension work, DEFINITELY mention this during your application I applied last week and my local office (Phoenix) was still doing in-person applications, so call your specific office first to check their current policy.
0 coins
Christian Burns
•Thanks for the clarification. I'm in the Chicago area, so maybe it's just our region implementing these restrictions? I'll try calling a different office nearby to see if their policy is different. Appreciate the tip about the 4-month advance application window - at least I have some time.
0 coins
Sadie Benitez
lol they told me THE EXACT OPPOSITE at my office last week!!! said i HAD to come in person to apply for retirement, drove 40 miles, then when i got there the security guard said they were 'at capacity' and to come back tomorrow. when i went back they said i could have just called!! SS is a MESS right now
0 coins
Sasha Reese
•Classic government incompetence. One hand doesn't know what the other is doing. My brother applied online and still had to go in person three times to fix errors THEY made. The whole system needs an overhaul.
0 coins
Vanessa Figueroa
If you need to handle a name change AND apply for benefits, here's what worked for me recently: 1. First, I made an in-person appointment specifically for the name change document verification (called my local office directly) 2. During that appointment, had them scan all my marriage certificate and ID documents 3. Then scheduled the phone appointment for the actual benefit application 4. When they called for the benefit application, everything went smoothly since my documents were already in the system The key is separating the identity verification from the benefit application. Hope this helps!
0 coins
Christian Burns
•This is EXACTLY what I needed to know! Thank you so much for laying it out step by step. I'll call tomorrow to set up the document verification appointment first. Did you have any issues with them calculating your benefit amount correctly during the phone appointment?
0 coins
Vanessa Figueroa
•No problems with the calculation. The agent was able to see all my earnings history and gave me three different estimates based on starting benefits at 62, my FRA (which was 66 and 8 months), or waiting until 70. Just make sure to ask them to explain how they calculated your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) so you understand where the numbers come from.
0 coins
Noland Curtis
dont waste ur time w/ phone appointments!!! JUST APPLY ONLINE!!! its soooo much easier, i did mine last month took 25 mins tops. but make sure u have ur bank info ready they need direct deposit now
0 coins
Muhammad Hobbs
•While online applications work for many people, they don't support all scenarios. Name changes, spouse applications, or WEP/GPO situations like the original poster mentioned typically require speaking with an agent. But yes, for straightforward retirement claims, the online option is definitely the fastest route.
0 coins