Putting You In Control
For over 80 years, Social Security has evolved and transformed to meet the changing needs of our customers. Today, we offer an extensive array of online services from applying for benefits to getting a replacement Social Security card, all from the comfort of your home or office! For those who prefer a more personalized service, you can always call us toll-free or visit your local field office. We provide the tools and services that put you in control. No matter where, how, or when you decide to do business with us we will always strive to provide the best experience and service to put you in control of your Social Security.
How Do People Feel About Their Calls To Social Security Customer Support
Over the past decade, The Social Security Administration closed many of its field offices, which resulted in an increased number of calls to Social Security customer support. This, in turn, led to long wait times to speak to customer service representatives.
Media reports indicate that many Social Security call centers were plagued by low employee morale and high turnover. It should be noted, however, that Social Security Administration leadership has publicly committed to improved customer service.
Social Security Administration Toll
- Phone 772-1213
- Area Served:Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, Wilson
- Fees:Please contact provider for fee information.
- Application Process:Call or visit website for additional information.
- Eligibility Requirements:Please call service provider or visit website to learn more about eligibility requirements.
- Acronym:SSA
- Payment/Insurance Accepted:Please contact provider for accepted forms of payment.
- ADA Access:Please contact facility for accessibility information.
Tell us about the person you’re helping:
- Please contact provider for languages spoken by staff.
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How You Receive Benefits
If you receive both SSI and SSP benefits, you will receive your SSP benefits the same way you chose to receive your SSI benefit.
If you receive SSP benefits but do not receive SSI benefits, you can choose how to receive your benefits. We strongly encourage you to receive benefits through direct deposit, which is safe, fast and convenient.
If you currently have a representative payee for your SSI benefits, that person will also manage your SSP benefits. If you want to change your representative payee, you must contact SSA. If you receive SSP but do not receive SSI benefits, you can assign or change a payee by calling SSP at 1-855-488-0541.
Where To Report Changes Or Provide Requested Information:
You may report changes to SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local SSA office in person.
You may report changes to SSP by calling toll free at 1-855-488-0541 OR by fax at: 518-486-3459 OR by email at: OR by regular mail at:
NYS OTDA PO Box 1740 Albany, NY 12201
NOTE: If you receive Social Security Retirement, Survivorâs, or Disability payments and also receive SSP benefits, SSA does not share your federal benefit information or any changes, including address or living arrangement, with SSP and you must report changes directly to SSP.
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Service Changes Due To Covid
We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.
Ask us to help you with the following programs by using eServiceCanada:
- Employment Insurance
- Canada Pension Plan , Old Age Security , Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits
- Social Insurance Numbers
We will call you back within 2 business days.
You can complete the following tasks at a Service Canada office:
- obtain general information about the SIN Program
- apply for a SIN or obtain a confirmation of your SIN
- update your SIN record
Proof of identity documents are required to apply for a SIN, obtain a confirmation of your SIN and to update your SIN record.
Using Our Automated Telephone Services
Services for all beneficiaries
- Request a benefit verification letter
- Ask for a form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, to request a replacement tax summary
Services for Medicare beneficiaries only
- Request a replacement Medicare Card
- Request a form SSA-1020 to apply for help with Medicare prescription drug costs
Services for people who have applied for benefits
- Ask to receive a claim status
Services everyone can use
- Find the address of your local Social Security office
- Request a form SS-5,Application for a Social Security Card, to:
- apply for an original Social Security card or a replacement card if yours was lost or stolen,
- request a name change on your card, or
- update or correct other information on your Social Security number record.
Informational Messages
You can listen to informational messages on the following subjects:
- Payment delivery dates
- Best times to call our 800 number
- Social Security Internet address and services
- Supplemental Security Income
- Non-receipt of your Social Security benefit
- Representative payee
Services for Social Security Benefits Only
- Change address and/or phone number
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Warning About Social Security Scams
Everyone should be aware that scammers often pose as Social Security representatives as a way of stealing identities or money. If you need to call Social Security, check the phone number provided on SSA.gov.
Do not rely on a number provided to you in an email or by someone who calls you. You should also be aware that the Social Security Administration has stated that it sends letters to people if there is an issue with their Social Security number, contributions or benefits and will never threaten people over the phone or demand immediate payment in the form of gift cards or wire transfers.
How Do I Protect Myself From Social Security Scams
Scammers use phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters to impersonate Social Security personnel and trick people into giving up personal information.
Common tactics include asking for your Social Security number and threatening to cut off Social Security benefits if personal information isnt provided.
Always remember, the Social Security Administration offers free forms and services.
If you suspect that youve been a victim of a Social Security scam or wish to report any attempts, you can call the Office of the Inspector General hotline from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
You can also submit a fraud report through the OIG website.
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Reporting Changes To Your Case
You must report changes that may impact your benefits. The following reporting requirements apply to all SSP/SSPNA recipients:
Your SSP and SSPNA eligibility as well as benefit amount is based on information received from the Social Security Administration as well as information reported to New York State .
Your failure to report changes and/or to report any changes in a timely manner may result in a possible suspension, discontinuance, or reduction of your benefits. You may also have to repay benefits that you improperly received as a result of not reporting changes as required.
Popular Customer Problems And How To Solve Them
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How Do I Apply For Social Security Benefits
The easiest and quickest way to apply for retirement, spouses, ex-spouses, or Medicare benefits is to apply online. If you do not wish to use the online application, or the application for the benefit you want is not available online, you can call 384-9919 or visit your local Lancaster SSA office. Learn More About Applying for Benefits.
For Individuals Who Only Receive Ssp Benefits:
If you receive only SSP benefits, you will report your changes directly to NYS SSP.
Examples of changes that must be reported include, but are not limited to:
- Change of residence and/or mailing address
- Improvement of a disability
- Income or employment changes
- Change in countable resources that exceed $2000 for an individual, or $3000 for an SSI/SSP couple
- Change in living arrangement or household composition, including the death of a household member or changes to who is living in the household. Please note that a change in who is in the household must be reported even if your address has not changed.
The changes listed above must be reported to NYS SSP within ten calendar days of the date of the change.
You should also tell NYS SSP about the following changes as soon as you know about them:
- Changes in bank account information
- Changes in your payee
- Changes in who you wish to allow to receive information about your benefits
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What You Need For Apply For Ssdi Or Ssi Benefits
You will get a faster decision when you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income with the Social Security Administration if you provide:
- Your Social Security number
- Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers
- Laboratory and test results
- Names, addresses, phone and fax numbers of your doctors, clinics and hospitals
- Names of all medications you are taking
- Names of your employers and job duties for the last 15 years
If you are applying for a child, you also need school records regarding your child’s disability.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Don’t wait to file your claim for disability payments even if you don’t have all this information.
If you think you may be eligible for payments, call 772-1213 to file a claim or contact your local Social Security Office . You must contact the Social Security Administration to apply for benefits. If you are looking for an online application for either SSDI or SSI visit ssa.gov. For an update on case status call the Vocational Disability Examiner as identified in your introductory claimant letter
What Is The Disability Determination Process
Most disability claims are initially processed through the network of local Social Security field offices and State agencies. In Louisiana, the state agency is called Disability Determination Services . Subsequent appeals of unfavorable determinations may be decided by Hearing Officers in the DDS’s Hearing Units or Administrative Law Judges in SSA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals.
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Contacting Social Security In Person
When Social Security offices are fully reopened, if you cant resolve your problem or find the information you need on the website or over the phone, you can go to one of the field offices . In some casesif you need to request a Social Security card or update certain kinds of personal informationyou may have to visit an office.
But be forewarned: It probably wont be fun. You can schedule an appointment, though it could take weeks or more than a month to get one. Just heading to the office is an option, but youll probably wait more than a couple of hours to be seen. Some offices report lines out the door.
Staffing is an issue. Due to budget cuts to the SSA, there are fewer workers for an increasing number of applicants. And dont expect them to take an in-depth look at your situation. SSA employees don’t have the training or expertise to help you maximize your benefits the way a financial planner can. If you don’t have a financial planner or other professional who can help you make the right claiming choices, there are Social Security calculators that can help. The SSA also offers a number of online tools.
Some Social Security experts advise visiting multiple field offices in order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your benefits. One worker may misinterpret the rules and deny you benefits or other privileges for which youre eligible, so seeking multiple benefit estimates can help you find the best dealkind of like shopping for a new car.
Apply Over The Telephone
You can apply by calling the Social Security Administration at their toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call them at TTY 1-800-325-0778. Applying over the telephone can be frustrating as an automated system will answer and youll likely be put on hold before getting you in contact with someone. A Social Security worker will ask you the questions on the application and will submit it once they are finished.
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What Kinds Of Issues Can Social Security Customer Support Resolve
Social Security customer service representatives can answer a wide range of questions regarding Social Security programs as well as some questions about your account, benefits and claim status. The representative can also guide you toward the forms that you will need to initiate processes that can’t be completed over the phone.
Can I Apply For Medicare Benefits At This Olean Office
If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by: Visiting your local Social Security office. Calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. Before you decide how you want to go about applying for Medicare, you need to understand the different parts of the program and which ones you need. Learn More About Applying for Medicare.
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Social Security Disability Phone Number
There are several different ways you can file an initial application for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration . If you have recently become disabled or already have a disabling condition that prevents you from working, you should apply for Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible. To start your application, you can do one of the following:
Did This Help You
We hope that this handy guide will be of use whenever you need help with your SSS account or membership. Take note that some information might change without prior notice, so if a particular number is not working, then most likely it has been replaced. Well make sure to update this guide from time to time whenever a change is announced by the SSS.
If you have any questions or clarifications about this guide, please dont hesitate to comment below.
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Can I Schedule An Appointment With The Lancaster Social Security Office
The Social Security Administration does not currently have online appointment scheduler.
The SSA website, SSA.gov, is the best way for most people to get help.
If you cannot use the website, or need more help, you can contact your local office phone number or national 800 number for help scheduling an appointment.
When visiting a local field office, appointment is not required. However, if you contact the office and schedule, it may reduce the time you spend waiting for help.
Contacting Social Security By Phone
The website is a great place to start, but sometimes the information provided may not seem to address your situation or answer your particular question. So your next step might be to call. Since Social Security doesnt publish the phone numbers of most local offices, you likely have to call the main number at 1-800-772-1213. Even if you have the number of your local office, you’ll probably want to start with the SSAs automated system.
If you call, you can perform many services through the automated system, including requesting a benefit verification letter and/or statement of your benefits, inquiring about the status of a claim, applying for a replacement card, finding the address of your local office, and conducting some business related to Medicare.
If the automated system isnt enough, you can speak to a representative between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Social Security Administration provides interpreters free of charge. You can call 800-772-1213 to speak with an interpreter who speaks Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, or Vietnamese. You can also schedule in-person appointments, during which time the Social Security Administration office will arrange for an interpreter.
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Can I Schedule An Appointment With The Olean Social Security Office
The Social Security Administration does not currently have online appointment scheduler.
The SSA website, SSA.gov, is the best way for most people to get help.
If you cannot use the website, or need more help, you can contact your local office phone number or national 800 number for help scheduling an appointment.
When visiting a local field office, appointment is not required. However, if you contact the office and schedule, it may reduce the time you spend waiting for help.
What Is A Medically Determinable Impairment
A medically determinable physical or mental impairment is an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A physical or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings — not only by the individual’s statement of symptoms.
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When Do Social Security Employees Answer The Phone
Question: I called Social Security’s toll-free number over the weekend and received an automated system. When do employees answer the calls?
Answer: You can talk with a Social Security representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. The best times to call are during the first and last hour when representatives are available.
Social Security’s nationwide, toll-free phone service makes conducting business with the agency more convenient. Did you know you can call Social Security day or night at 772-1213? You can access recorded information and many automated services 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays.
For those currently receiving benefits, you can use these automated services to report a change of address or telephone number, start or change direct deposit of benefits, and request a proof of income letter or a replacement Medicare card.
In addition, everyone can use the automated services to request important Social Security forms such as an application for a replacement Social Security card or a Social Security Statement, and order some of our most popular public information pamphlets.
Social Security understands that not everyone can visit a local office or call during their workday, that is why the toll-free service is available early, late and even on weekends. It’s hard to imagine life without phones or Social Security without a nationwide toll-free phone number. Social Security is never more than a phone call away: 772-1213 325-0778).