Starting yesterday, all in-person Social Security Administration services are suspended as SSA offices across the country close. Until further notice, beneficiaries and those filing for benefits will not be able to do so at their local office.
All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This decision protects the population we serve—older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions—and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are still able to provide critical services. We will make certain exceptions for specific dire need situations…
Social Security Administration website
The SSA will be updating their closure status on their official website, but as of now, there is no word on when we can expect offices to reopen.
If you previously scheduled an appointment to meet with representatives at your local office, you will receive a call to reschedule your appointment by telephone. The SSA warns that these calls may come from private, unrecognized numbers.
Please note that Social Security Administration employees will NOT ask you to make payments, buy gift cards, or attempt to threaten or guilt you into giving personal or payment information. You will NOT receive a call from the Social Security Administration UNLESS you’ve previously scheduled an appointment that will need to be rescheduled.
For many types of Social Security business—applying for retirement, disability, reviewing your information, lodging on checking on an appeal, or requesting a replacement card—you will still be able to use Social Security’s online services.
If your needs can’t be achieved online, you can also contact the SSA by phone.
SSA office closures will NOT affect your benefits. You will still receive your benefits by direct deposit and by mail (keep an eye on the United States Postal Service’s website for any potential slowing in services due to COVID-19).
The SSA is able to make rare exceptions for in-person visits in the event of dire service needs:
- Dire need benefit payments, which include if you did not receive your benefit payment, presumptive payments, or if you need your benefit payments reinstated.
- Severe disability, blindness, and terminal illness cases.
- Dire need SSI and 1619B eligibility decisions required for urgent Medicaid approval.
As we learn more about the status of Social Security Administration office re-openings, we will keep you updated.
