Social Security phone system hanging up after pressing 8 - need help reaching an agent

Same thing happened to me last month! It's beyond frustrating how hard they make it to talk to an actual human. I finally got through using a service called Claimyr. It basically holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got a call back in about an hour and finally got my questions answered.

Try calling EXACTLY at 9:00am when they open!!! That's what FINALLY worked for me after like 2 weeks of trying. If u call even 15 mins later ur basically screwed lol. The whole system is a JOKE!!

The SSA phone system is experiencing unprecedented call volumes right now. Here are some alternatives: 1. Try scheduling an appointment online through my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount 2. Call your local field office directly instead of the national 800 number. You can find your local office here: secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp 3. Call during off-peak hours: Wednesday-Friday afternoons tend to have lower call volumes. 4. If your questions are about retirement benefits specifically, make sure you're calling the correct department. Different benefit types have different contact protocols. Also, the "press 8" disconnect issue often happens when all available agents are occupied and the queue is full. The system needs improvement, but this is unfortunately common.

my sisters husband works for SSA and she says they are WAY understaffed right now. he said theyre getting like 3x normal calls since the COLA announcement and something about processing backlog from covid still.

I had the exact same problem last year when trying to sort out some questions about my disability application. The phone system is absolutely broken. What finally worked for me was going to my local Social Security office in person, even though I was trying to avoid that. I had to wait about 2 hours, but at least I got my questions answered. If your questions are related to retirement benefits, make sure you're gathering all the information about your work history, expected retirement age, and potential filing strategies before you do reach someone. The FRA (full retirement age) rules can be confusing depending on your birth year, and understanding the difference between filing at 62 versus waiting until 70 can mean a huge difference in monthly benefits. Hope you get through soon!

I HATE the social security phone system!!! been dealing with them for 2 years about my disability and still can't get straight answers. i think they disconnect on purpose to keep people from getting benefits they deserve!!! the whole system is rigged against us!

I understand your frustration with the SSA phone system. Regarding your survivor benefits questions, this is actually a complex area where speaking with an SSA representative is important. Since your questions relate to survivor benefits, you'll want to mention that specifically when you do connect with someone. Survivor benefit decisions can have long-term financial implications, especially regarding whether to take reduced survivor benefits early and switch to your own retirement later, or vice versa. One approach that has worked for many people is calling your local office directly rather than the national line. Local offices often have separate phone numbers that might be less congested. You can find your local office contact information here: secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp Also, for survivor benefits specifically, gathering these documents beforehand will help when you do connect with someone: - Your spouse's death certificate - Your marriage certificate - Both your and your deceased spouse's Social Security numbers - Most recent tax returns Good luck with your call!

I wanted to update everyone - I finally got through! I followed several of your suggestions. I tried calling right at 9:00 AM as suggested, but still got disconnected after pressing 8. Then I called my local office directly using the ICON locator someone linked. I still had to wait on hold for about 30 minutes, but I finally spoke to a representative who was actually very helpful! For anyone dealing with similar issues, definitely try your local office instead of the main number. And have all your questions written down before calling - the agent helped me understand my survivor benefit options and the best timing based on my situation. Thanks to everyone who offered advice! This forum has been so helpful.

I'm really glad to see this thread has been so helpful for everyone! As someone who's dealt with similar SSA phone system frustrations, I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through, you might also consider reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging if you're 60+. They often have staff who are experienced with Social Security processes and can sometimes help you prepare your questions or even advocate on your behalf. Also, for those dealing with survivor benefits specifically, it's worth noting that you can apply for survivor benefits online in some cases through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. While you'll still likely need to speak with someone for complex timing decisions, the online application can sometimes get the process started and might result in a callback from SSA rather than you having to get through their phone system. Keep sharing these tips - it's amazing how much collective wisdom this community has gathered about navigating these bureaucratic challenges!