Social Security Updates Contact Methods for Easier Access

Oh joy, another thrilling update from our friends at Social Security! Because apparently, they’ve decided to make contacting them “easier” – and by easier, I mean adding more hoops for you to jump through when dealing with the Social Security Administration.

The “easiest” way to handle your Social Security business? Online through your personal my Social Security account (or directly via the _my_ Social Security account page). Isn’t that wonderful? Over 71 million adults are already enjoying this digital paradise for managing their benefits. But don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy – you can still contact Social Security the old-fashioned way and wait on hold for what feels like several lifetimes.

Connecting Online at www.ssa.gov

Created your Social Security online account before September 18, 2021? Congratulations! You now get to do it all over again! Millions of users need to transition to Login.gov or create a new ID.me or Login.gov account. Because apparently, the government decided the perfectly functional system you were using needed to be more complicated.

Don’t have an account yet? Creating one is “simple” – if your definition of simple includes identity verification steps that would make a CIA operative sweat.

With your “free and secure” my Social Security account, you can:

• Apply for Social Security benefits online – Skip the trip to your local office! Instead, spend hours filling out forms online that will probably need to be verified in person anyway.
• Manage your direct deposit information – Because nothing says “secure” like managing your money through a government website.
• Upload documents electronically – So they can sit in a digital queue instead of a physical one. Progress!
• Check the status of your application – For those who enjoy watching digital paint dry.

Note: You might occasionally see an option to schedule an appointment online. Social Security “plans” to make this more widely available in the future. Don’t hold your breath.

Reaching Out by Telephone

Prefer human contact? Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Representatives can help arrange appointments – after you navigate the labyrinth of automated menus and wait times that rival continental drift.

Using Automated Phone Services

Many Social Security tasks can be completed through automated phone services! Perfect for those who enjoy shouting “REPRESENTATIVE” repeatedly into their phone while pressing random numbers in frustration.

Sending Mail or Fax

Still using fax machines in 2023? Social Security is right there with you! Find your local office’s mailing address and fax number through their website. Some offices even offer drop-off boxes – cutting-edge technology from the 1950s.

Visiting a Local Social Security Office

Visiting a Local Social Security Office typically requires an appointment. Call to schedule, then mark your calendar for sometime next century when they can fit you in.

Feel free to share this information about how to contact Social Security with friends and family – especially those you don’t particularly like.