Social Security Customer Service

Call 1-800-772-1213 anytime from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak to a live representative at the Social Security Administration. This service will not be available on national holidays. Instead, you can use the SSA’s automated telephone service, which is available 24 hours a day.

Call volumes are typically higher during the first week of the month. In January 2023, the average wait time over the phone was roughly 40 minutes, according to the SSA. To avoid a long wait, there are specific times the SSA recommends calling.

You can apply for Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits over the phone. You can also start your application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you’re reaching out to the automated phone services by dialing 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, they offer a variety of resources.

The easiest and most accessible way to contact the SSA is online. You can explore a variety of online resources on the SSA website and manage your benefits through your my Social Security account.

You can sign up for retirement benefits, disability benefits and SSI. You can also sign up for Medicare benefits. Note that you currently can’t sign up for survivors benefits online — you’d need to call or visit a local office to sign up.

The SSA has an FAQ page, where 200+ frequently asked questions are already answered and available at your convenience. Topics range from the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and how to maximize your benefits to working while collecting Social Security and more.

If you don’t see your question listed on the FAQ page, you can send an email to SSA’s online customer service support. The SSA requests that you don’t include your Social Security number in the email. If you don’t want to wait for a response, you could always call or visit a local Social Security office near you to speak to a person instead.

There are over approximately 1,230 local field offices to provide you assistance, according to the Social Security Administration. To find an office near you, use the SSA’s office locator tool. Once you input your zip code, you will be provided the address, phone number and hours for the location closest to you. You can also print out a map and directions from this page.

Note that all Social Security offices are closed for federal holidays in 2023.

It would be in your best interest to schedule an appointment online or over the phone before visiting your local office. SSA staffing is at its lowest level in the last 25 years, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. With Social Security beneficiaries on the rise and workloads increasing, you could face a long wait time if you choose an in-person visit to your local office without an appointment.

You can apply for retirement, disability or survivors benefits in person at your local Social Security office. You can also start the process to sign up for SSI.

If you need to supply documentation to the SSA, like Form SS-5 for changing your information on your Social Security card, you can also drop off the documents at an office near you.

While you can contact the SSA by mail, the SSA recommends calling first. You will get a much faster response this way.

If you do decide to contact the SSA by mail, use the address listed below. Make sure to include your Social Security number or claim number within the letter so the SSA can properly identify you.

If you’re trying to send in an application, or provide documents to request a Social Security number or benefits, do not use the mailing address above. Call your local Social Security office to clarify where to send your documents and application.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY equipment, you can contact the SSA using their TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

If you’d like to schedule an in-person appointment at a local Social Security office, they will provide free accommodations.

If you’re interested in any of these accommodations, you’ll need to call in advance. Call 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday to notify them of your requested accommodation.

If you currently live outside the U.S. or are planning to leave the U.S., the SSA’s Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) will provide different customer service resources tailored for your needs.

There are Social Security Field Offices and American embassies outside the U.S. to help connect you to the right SSA resources. You can access their information by using SSA’s Country and Region Office Contact Information tool to find an office near you.

To contact the SSA by phone, dial 410-965-0160 anytime between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern U.S. time. You will need to pay for the call, since the SSA doesn’t offer toll-free service calls from outside the U.S.

If all you need is a form, the SSA has a list of links to access forms for foreign applicants and beneficiaries.