Westside Eagle-Observer

SSA offices offer phone, online services only

- Staff Report

All local Social Security Administra­tion offices are closed to the public for inperson service. The action protects the population served — older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions — as well as SSA employees during the coronaviru­s (covid-19) pandemic.

SSA’s secure and convenient online services remain available at www. socialsecu­rity.gov. Local offices will also continue to provide critical services over the phone. The SSA is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local government­s, and other experts to monitor covid-19 and will let the public know as soon as it can resume in-person service.

If you need help from Social Security, use the secure and convenient online services available at www.socialsecu­rity.gov/onlineserv­ices. You can apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an applicatio­n or appeal, request a replacemen­t Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verificati­on letter, and much more from anywhere and from any of your devices. There is also a wealth of informatio­n to answer most Social Security questions online, without having to speak with a Social Security representa­tive in person or by phone. Visit Frequently Asked Questions at www.socialsecu­rity.gov/ask.

If you cannot conduct your Social Security business online, please check our online field office locator for specific informatio­n about how to directly contact a local office. Your local office still will be able to provide critical services to help you apply for benefits, answer questions, and provide other services over the phone.

If you already have an in-office appointmen­t scheduled, the SSA will call you to handle your appointmen­t over the phone instead. If you have a hearing scheduled, we will call you to discuss alternativ­es for continuing with your hearing, including offering a telephonic hearing. SSA calls may come from a private number and not from a U.S. Government phone but remember that SSA employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.

If you cannot complete your Social Security business online, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). The National 800 Number has many automated service options you can use without waiting to speak with a telephone representa­tive. A list of automated telephone services is available online at www.socialsecu­rity.gov/agency/contact/phone.html.

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