The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) reopened their field offices to the public on April 7, 2022. This is the first time that the public have been able to visit their local SSA field offices in over two years. As would be expected, SSA field offices in rural areas are handling the demand for in-person appointments better than SSA field offices located in highly populated areas.
I understand that people are thrilled that SSA has reopened for in-person visits. However, pack your patience if you plan on visiting them anytime soon. Even better, it would be advantageous to schedule an appointment at your field office before taking a trip to your local office. The last thing that you want is to be told you have to sit outside a field office for five hours before you will be served.
Keep in mind that the SSA’s field offices are extremely understaffed due to budgetary issues. Each SSA caseworker is assigned far too many cases than they can realistically handle. This creates stress, anxiety and sometimes inpatient attitudes when it comes to SSA field office employees. Be kind to these overworked government employees when you talk to them. As my mama used to say, “You get more birds with honey than you do with vinegar!” I promise you that they will be more out to help you if you treat them with dignity and respect.
In conjunction with reopening the local SSA offices, SSA has made some other changes. Some changes are positive and some are frankly discouraging. In terms of good news, SSA has announced that they plan to revamp their website. They are in “beta” testing mode right now, but SSA is indicating that once the updated website launches, claimants should be able to file for benefits within 20 minutes. Twenty minutes seems like an incredibly optimistic goal. The question remains whether it is a realistic goal. Here is a link to SSA’s “beta” site in case you are curious: https://beta.ssa.gov/.
Now for the bad news…..For some reason, SSA has removed the local field office numbers from their website. If you do a field office locator search, SSA will now only provide you with the generic national number of (800) 772-1213. While the numbers to the local field offices have been erased, SSA is still providing the public with the local fax numbers to the field offices. I have to imagine SSA is trying to decrease the number of callers to the local field offices. I am never a big fan of SSA’s attempts to make it harder for the public to contact them. Removing the local field offices numbers is undoubtedly going to make it harder for individuals to get the help that they need from SSA. Hopefully, there will be enough public outcry that SSA will again post the local field office numbers.
Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully navigate the Social