With You through Life’s Journey - An American Success Story
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935, introducing in a new commitment on the part of the United States government toward its citizens. Soon, Social Security offices were opening across the country.
The Chester District office was one of the first Social Security offices to open. Since that opening day on December 20, 1937, the office has continuously served the local community and Delaware County for almost 80 years. In fact, our service area included both Chester and Delaware County, until a new West Chester office opened in 1956.
The original Chester office had three employees who were housed in a former bank building at 3rd & Market Streets. Since then, the office has had succeeding locations in Chester at the Chester Post Office, in the Crozer Building, at 1416 Upland St., at 160 E. 7th St. and its current location at 807 Crosby St.
Our service area covers most of Delaware County, extending from Chadds Ford to Newtown Square to Lester to Marcus Hook. More than 80,000 people receive Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits and 7,000 individuals receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That means more than $107,000,000 a month is paid to those men, women, and children of Delaware County.
The heart of any organization is its workforce and ours employees exemplify professional and courteous service. In one year, they will interview more than 30,000 visitors, take more than 7,500 claims, and process 13,000 Social Security Number applications.
We offer several options for the public to contact us but the easiest and fastest choice for most people currently is going online to ssa. gov/myaccount/. Create an online my Social Security account to view your earnings statement, replace your Medicare card, request a 1099 tax form, request a benefit verification form (proof of income), and change your address or direct deposit. If you meet certain requirements, you can even request a Social Security Replacement Card.
You can also file for retirement, spouse’s, disability or Medicare benefits online, go to ssa.gov.
The Chester office is a pillar of stability in the community. Before I became the manager in January 2017, it only had seven permanent managers. Our promise of continuity and commitment is to provide the best possible service to the people of Delaware County, the people that we serve.
For almost 80 years, we are part of the American success story that is Social Security.