Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi Monday released a statement announcing that local social security offices will be resuming in-person services.
Online services and telephone remain the most convenient ways to contact the agency, the release stated.
Within the release, Kijakazi said: “I am pleased to announce that local social security offices will restore in-person services, including for people without an appointment, on April 7.
“To avoid waiting in line, I strongly encourage people, who can, to use our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov, call us, and schedule appointments in advance rather than walking in without an appointment. Phone appointments can save you a trip to a busy office. I thank the public for your patience as we work to increase service.”
In the statement, Kijakazi noted that customers who walk in without an appointment may encounter delays and longer wait times.
Additionally, Kijakazi stated, offices tend to be at their busiest first thing in the morning and early in the week during the early part of the month.
“Given that many of the people we serve have health vulnerabilities, and consistent with our union agreements, we are continuing to require certain safety measures including masking, physical distancing, and self-health checks for COVID-19 symptoms. We will provide masks to the public and employees if they need them,” she said in the release.
Further, she stated, offices have implemented office-to-office support as well as brought recently retired employees back to assist the public.
“We thank the many interested stakeholders including the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living and national advocate organizations for your help,” Kijakazi said
She added: “As we transition to a new modern phone system, some people may experience a busy signal or be unintentionally disconnected from their call. We sincerely regret this disruption and recommend people call when our National 800 Number may be less busy, such as before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. local time or later in the week. Like our offices, our waits are generally shorter later in the month.”
To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/gethelp/ and www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices/.”
Additional Information
According to the release, most Social Security services are available to the public online at www.socialsecurity.gov and with a my Social Security account, or by telephone; most Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. People may create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
People who set up their my Social Security account have access to additional personalized services. Social Security services are also conveniently available by dialing toll-free, For more information, call: 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
A list of social security offices in Wisconsin is here: https://www.benefitsoffices.com/state/index.php?st=WI&page=1.
File photo/public domain.
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