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Do I have to make an appointment with Social Security?

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Our clients ask:

"I've been told I have to make an appointment to speak with Social Security. Can't I just go to my local office?"

Our answer:

Per a December 2024 post in the Social Security Update Archive, as of January 6, 2025, Social Security "will require customers to schedule an appointment for service in our local offices, including requests for Social Security cards."

BUT WAIT. Don't stop reading yet!

They go on to say in this same post...

"We want to make it clear that we will not turn people away for service who are unable to make an appointment or do not want to make an appointment. For example, members of vulnerable populations, military personnel, people with terminal illnesses, and people with other situations requiring immediate or specialized attention may still walk in for service at our local offices. Some of our offices also have minimal to no wait times, and they will still serve customers who walk in."

So do you have to make an appointment or not? Well, that is the question.

Our rule of thumb is this:

  • Make an appoinment if you have time and if it's convenient for you.
  • If your have an urgent need or if making an appoinment is burdensome, try to go to your local office but prepare for resistance. We've heard that some Social Security offices literally have guards at the doors keeping people who do not have appointments out. You're going to need to be ready to quote their own words back to them and do not back down when told no.

How do you make an appointment? This is the other million dollar question. Right now, the only way to make an appointment is to call your local Social Security office (Find your local office information at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.)

But, here's the problem with that. Many offices have on hold wait times of one to two hours. But, for some office phone cues, you'll get disconnected after 15-20 minutes of hold time! How do you make an appointment if you can never talk to anyone?

Your guess is as good as ours.

OUR REQUEST TO YOU:


In the comments, please tell us about your experiences with getting appointments or going into Social Security offices.