topic Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason? in Community Chat

Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Dragonflyveb — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:19:18 GMT

I called the National phone number for Social Security, got through all the public service announcements, only to hear that they are unavailable and call back later.

So I called my local office and the phone just rang and never rolled to a recording.

Anyone know what's up with that? I did a search on their hours, but found nothing about being closed today.

thanks,

dragonfly

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

jackthebear — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:22:45 GMT

could it be that DC is completely shut down due to a storm...they don't know how to deal with snow there

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

godi — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:24:12 GMT

Can you do what you need to do online?

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Cakers3 — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:25:10 GMT

@Dragonflyveb wrote:
Hi
I called the National phone number for Social Security, got through all the public service announcements, only to hear that they are unavailable and call back later.

So I called my local office and the phone just rang and never rolled to a recording.

Anyone know what's up with that? I did a search on their hours, but found nothing about being closed today.

thanks,
dragonfly

@Dragonflyveb Try the SS website. If this is about your personal account, you will have to enroll on the website.

If it is just about a general question, you should be able to find what you need.

If you cannot get through locally, there is no way for any of us to know what is going on since we don't know where you are. You don't have to disclose this info, either.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

sunshine45 — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:27:49 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
could it be that DC is completely shut down due to a storm...they don't know how to deal with snow there

A day after heavy snow forced localities and the federal government to close offices in Washington, D.C., all federal offices will be open Tuesday with a three-hour delay.

Federal employees who are eligible may take unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework on Tuesday. Otherwise, all employees are expected to report to work within three hours of their scheduled arrival time, according to the Office of Personnel Management.

- via THE PATCH

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Krimpette — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:35:21 GMT

@jackthebear Just curious.....where do you live?

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Dragonflyveb — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:01:27 GMT

Oh, didn't think the storm affected DC, but I guess it makes sense.

doesn't explain why my local office is closed, but who knows.

I am in the Midwest.

Thanks all! Maybe tomorrow I will get lucky...

dragonfly

edit: I filed a request for reconsideration, so I need a human...

those poor people stuck in their cars all night. What a mess!

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

ThinkOutsidetheBox — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:32:24 GMT

Think of the local offices as just satellites. If the main system is shut down, then the satellites have no access to anything....not the people they may need to ask things of and not the computer systems. Also, the internet is out in this area (DC to Richmond). I-95 both north and south between Richmond and DCis shut down for at least a 48 mile swath. No IT people getting to their jobs in DC, no internet service for many to access or work remotely, no power for many even if there was internet access. So, anything needing to tap any resources in and around DCare likely not functioning, functioning slowly, or not functioning well. I wish I could see a news report right now. No TV or internet for 24 hours. However, I am grateful that I have electricity and cell service. The poor folks doing without in their homes, and especially those stuck on I-95 just make my heart break. Virginia's lame response and not calling out the Guard or anyone they can to help those people just makes me sick. And I voted for the current governor, so this is not a partisan statement. There are ever so many people in the government and years of not planning and spending appropriately that went into this mess. However, the person at the top should be using all the resources right now, and they aren't. Everyone send positive thoughts to those stuck on the highway! I wish we all had horses or something, and could ride out and rescue them.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

chrystaltree — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 19:56:25 GMT

Did you hear about the snow storm and how it affected roads, travel, businesses? Did you hear about Covid and the new Omicron strain and how that is affecting people? All those hospitalizations and sick people mean....people aren't on the job. Visit the ssa.gov website and set up an account. You probably don't have to speak to anyone.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Shelbelle — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:30:47 GMT

Actuallly, SS Hdq is located here in Baltimore suburbs, been here since its inception. We got snow, but not nearly as much as DC.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

elated — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:44:07 GMT

It is my understanding that Social Security offices are closed due to Coronavirus. This has been mentioned on the news outlets..You can call or go online but not go into the office.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Katcat1 — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 01:14:59 GMT

It sounds like no one wants to answer the phone. Can you get your answer online? I suggest you call when they open 8:30 am

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Dragonflyveb — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 01:27:42 GMT

I actually do have an online account and have been checking the website for the past 2 months for my Request for Reconsideration to be resolved. They do not answer specific questions by email--only general ones. Sooooo, I need to talk to a human about my claim. Hopefully, things will go back to normal soon.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

sunshine45 — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 01:50:00 GMT

@Dragonflyveb wrote:
Hi
I actually do have an online account and have been checking the website for the past 2 months for my Request for Reconsideration to be resolved. They do not answer specific questions by email--only general ones. Sooooo, I need to talk to a human about my claim. Hopefully, things will go back to normal soon.

the website is really not that great......it could be so much better and offer much more customer service options. they also wont answer specific questions and if you ask they will send you an email telling you just that. my mom has had some issues with her social security for the past 7 months or so and it has really been a hassle not having the offices open for in person interviews. we had to play a lot of phone tag!

wishing you good luck on resolving your issues @Dragonflyveb !

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Dragonflyveb — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 02:04:01 GMT

Thanks! I'm hoping they can get to the phones again soon.

I find that they are very courteous, once you get a human on the line!

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

Duckncover — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 02:29:38 GMT

I just got my letter from SS letting me know my COLA increase will amount to $2.00 a month. Really. Good luck getting through on the phone. I had to finally schedule an appointment and go in person.

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

lil punkit — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 04:24:16 GMT

Nearly all of the branches of SS remain closed and this is actually mystifying and frankly unacceptable. Every other agency I can think of has managed to staff it’s offices amid Covid. To make matters worse the website is often often down rendering online devices non existent! For me it was a three month process to sign up for Medicare - even with having an account. I’m computer savvy but SS insisted on doing business by snail mail and by phone. Unreal! For people who are waiting for disability payments or have any issues that don’t neatly fit in a box- it has been a nightmare. I do know that congress has become concerned and there is a move on to make SS branches open- and not leave it up to a branch employee to determine whether or not your issue is serious enough to open the office . There are so many horror stories across the country. My advice is to just keep at it and hope you finally get a person who is willing to go the extra mile for you. They exist for sure. But the situation is untenable!

Re: Is Social Security closed for some reason?

qvcaddition — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 03:28:33 GMT

I had to speak to someone about lost SS statement and after 45 min. on hold, spoke to someone. I live in CA