Visiting a Social Security Office? You Must Do This First
January 4, 2025
An in-person visit to a Social Security office can be important when you need personal assistance with complex situations, require help navigating paperwork, have questions that can’t be easily answered over the phone, or need to provide original documents that cannot be submitted electronically.
This is especially true if you’re dealing with a significant life change that might impact your eligibility for Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
But if you plan to visit your local office, you must call ahead and make an appointment.
Social Security’s 1,200 field offices were closed for nearly two years during the pandemic. When they reopened in April 2022, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recommended that people who need help in person call ahead rather than walk into the office. Now in 2025 that recommendation is compulsory under most conditions.
The SSA says the goals of this new rule are to reduce wait times, streamline service delivery, and improve the overall customer experience at the field offices.
When you call, be prepared to wait. The average wait time for Social Security to answer a call is about 30 minutes, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The SSA has lost more than 10,000 employees since 2010, while the number of Americans the agency serves has ballooned by more than 13 million. Customer service has suffered.
Mondays and days after holidays are the busiest for SSA field offices. So, if your needs can wait, try calling on a Friday, which is the least busy day, and early morning is the best time of the day. Or you may be able to avoid paying a visit to an SSA office altogether by searching online for the answers to your questions.
If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits—either SSDI or SSI—call or email the Chicago disability attorney team at Nash Disability Law for a free evaluation of your case.
If you choose to partner with us, we only get paid when you win your case.