Unfortunately contacting Social Security is a necessary evil in the world of Social Security disability claims. It may be logical to think that if someone applies for disability through Social Security that the agency would be readily available to handle claims, process paperwork and answer any questions for those who apply. Well, think again.
There are a variety of ways someone can contact Social Security. They can be contacted through regular mail, by fax or over the phone and of course in person, but none of the options are ideal because there are many roadblocks along the way.
By Mail
As a Social Security disability law firm we know all too well that sometimes Social Security does not process mail that is sent to them. This can delay claims and prevent authorized attorneys and representatives from receiving crucial correspondence they need to take action on claims. In addition to not processing mail Social Security receives, sometimes the agency fails to mail important documents like Social Security denial letters to claimants and their representatives. If no one realizes a denial is issued an appeal cannot filed by Social Security’s mandated deadlines.
By Phone
Anyone who has ever tried to call a Social Security field office knows the frustration that comes with it. Field offices can be contacted by calling each individual office or by calling Social Security’s national toll-free number. Calling individual field offices is like a crapshoot. Sometimes a representative will pick-up relatively quickly, but other times your wait time can extend well past 15 minutes and sometimes the call volume is so high that you are unable to wait on hold at all. The national toll-free service is not a whole lot better. Last year the average caller waited more than 28 minutes on hold before they spoke to a representative.
In Person
There seems to be no dull moment at a local Social Security office. There are always plenty of people waiting in line to see someone about a Social Security issue. It is not uncommon for customers to wait several hours before they are able communicate with a Social Security representative. If you must, typically the best times to visit a Social Security office is during the middle or end of a week and later in the day.
To learn more about Social Security phone wait times click here.
