How to Contact the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration, or SSA, can help you with all of your Social Security-related questions, whether you're inquiring about retirement, disability, Medicare, or need to change your address. The fastest way to reach them is to call their main phone number, but you can also send them an email or a letter in the mail. For more direct contact, visit a Social Security Office in your area.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Contacting Social Security by Phone, Internet, or Mail

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    Call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213[1] any time for automated services. Automated telephone services can be used 24 hours a day to get information and to conduct some types of business.[2]
    • Automated services include but are not limited to requesting a benefit verification letter, requesting a replacement Medicare Card, asking for a benefit claim status, and finding the address of the local Social Security office.
    • You can listen to informational services on payment delivery dates, direct deposit, taxes, fraud, and supplemental security income.
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    Call 1-800-772-1213 from Monday to Friday to speak to a representative. If you wish to handle personal information that cannot be handled via the automated services, call between 7am and 7pm in your local time during the week.
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    Email the Social Security support team. Most Social Security services are now accessible on the internet. To contact Social Security by email, use the following webpage: https://secure.ssa.gov/emailus/. Using email, you can apply for Social Security benefits, request a replacement card, or receive a Social Security statement.[3]
    • Personal information requests must be handled over the phone and not over email.
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    Call into your local Social Security office. You can get application forms and find out information from a customer service representative at your local office. Use the Social Security office locator to find out where your local office is by typing in your ZIP code.[4]
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    Write a letter to the Social Security offices. If you don't think your problem can be solved by another method of communication, you can write a letter. Social Security advises that you only write a letter if none of the other methods have worked for you. In the letter, include your Social Security Number and your claim.[5]
    • The address of the office is: Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries, 1100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235.
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    Use the frequently asked questions page to quickly find an answer. While it's not a comprehensive list, many answers can also be found on the frequently asked questions page, which can be found here: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/.
    • Using the frequently asked questions page can be a lot easier and a lot quicker than using any of the other methods.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Contacting Social Security for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

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    Arrange an appointment. Call Social Security at 1-800-325-0778[6] or, write a letter to Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries, 1100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235, or visit a local office.[7]
    • Social Security will provide deaf or hard of hearing people with free assistance and services, or you can bring your own interpreter if they are over 18.
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    Choose your method of communication. To communicate at your appointment, you can choose from a variety of options:[8]
    • Use a qualified sign language interpreter.
    • Use handwritten notes.
    • Lip-read what the Social Security representative says.
    • Use telephone devices for the deaf.
    • Bring your own interpreter such as a friend or family member. Social Security cannot permit the use of an interpreter younger than 18.
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    Cancel or reschedule your appointment. If you can’t make your appointment or you need to move it to a different date, call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778 toll-free from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.[9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Visiting an Office in Person

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    Locate a Social Security Administration office nearby. You can do this by visiting their office locator at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. Type in your local zip code and then click “Locate.” The address of the Social Security Office closest to you will pop up, as well as their hours.[10]
    • Most offices will be open Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm and closed on the weekends, but it’s important to read the hours for your local office just to make sure.
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    Schedule an appointment to visit the office, if possible. You may not be able to get an appointment for several weeks (or even months). If you’re dealing with an urgent matter, definitely check to see if an appointment time is available, but be prepared to go right into the office.[11]
    • To schedule an appointment, you’ll need to call the SSA’s main phone number.
    • You could schedule an appointment to apply for a replacement Social Security number card.
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    Visit the office whenever possible if you don't make an appointment. Social Security offices are always busy, and it’s likely that you’ll have to wait for a long time to be helped. Plan ahead and either get there right when they open or make sure you arrive several hours before the office is scheduled to close.[12]
    • Check the office’s hours to make sure you’re arriving at the right time.
    • You can go right to the office if you need to handle matters such as filing for benefits or appealing a disability decision.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Contacting Social Security from Outside the United States

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    Go to the local embassy. The United States has embassies all over the world. The Social Security Office of Earnings and International Operations is assisted by embassies around the world. The nearest embassy will be able to help you with your Social Security problem.[13]
    • A list of United States embassies can be found at: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm.
    • If you can’t find an embassy listed for the country you’re in, contact the embassy of a neighboring country by phone.
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    Write to the Social Security Field Office. If you are not receiving benefits and you would like to find out if you are eligible, write to the following address: Social Security Administration, Office of Earnings and International Operations, P.O. Box 17775, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7775, United States of America.[14]
    • You should also write to this address if you or a family member are receiving benefits and you would like to report a change in status such as death, illness, marriage, or divorce.
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    Contact the Social Security service by phone. Using the following webpage https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm, find your nearest embassy and call them using the number listed. You will need to pay for the call.[15]
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    Use another online Social Security service to solve your problem. On the following website, https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/, you can apply for retirement benefits or disability services, or you can use either the benefit eligibility screening tool, or the future benefits tool.[16]
    • You can also download a number of application forms including the disability report form, the special benefits for World War II Veterans form, or the Social Security card application form.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I write as one who has lost my Social Security card. What is the process to seek a replacement?
    R2_d2000
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    You can follow the directions on the wikiHow article How to Get a New Social Security Card for directions on getting a replacement card.
  • Question
    How do I submit a change of address to the Social Security administration?
    R2_d2000
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    You can call them, visit your local office, or change your address through the "My Social Security Account" online.
  • Question
    What address should I use to submit employer information so I can verify I have been insured to apply for Part B?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your local SSA office is the best way to go. Make copies of your information before submitting to your local office.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html
  2. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html
  3. ↑ https://secure.ssa.gov/emailus/
  4. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/locator/
  5. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/mail.html
  6. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html
  7. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/people/deaf/
  8. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/people/deaf/
  9. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/people/deaf/
  1. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/locator/
  2. ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/103015/best-ways-contact-social-security-administration.asp
  3. ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/103015/best-ways-contact-social-security-administration.asp
  4. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/
  6. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm
  7. ↑ https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 111,777 times.
190 votes - 38%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: October 10, 2022
Views: 111,777
Categories: Social Security
Article SummaryX

To contact the Social Security Administration, try calling them toll free at 1-800-772-1213. This number can be used 24 hours a day for automated services, like requesting a new Medicare card or a benefits verification letter. If you need to speak to someone in person, make sure you call between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can contact the Social Security Administration online. Visit the SSA’s website to contact them by email. You can request a replacement card, apply for benefits, or request a Social Security statement. If you’d rather speak to someone face to face, use the Social Security office locator online to find out where your nearest office is. For tips on how to contact the Social Security Administration outside of the United States, keep reading!

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