The Social Security Administration is consolidating field offices and moving some services to regional processing centers starting March 7, 2025
On March 7, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will begin a major restructuring of how it handles claims and services. The agency is closing or consolidating some local field offices and moving certain work — particularly initial disability claims and some retirement benefit processing — to centralized regional centers. This means the office you have visited in the past may operate differently, have reduced hours, or transfer your case to a center you cannot visit in person.
The change affects how you file new claims, appeal decisions, and get help with existing benefits. Some services will move online or by phone. Others will require you to work with a processing center in a different part of your state or region instead of your local office. The SSA says the shift will speed up processing for some claim types, but it also means fewer in-person appointments at field offices near you.
Key Takeaways
- Starting March 7, 2025, the SSA is moving initial disability claims and some other services from local field offices to regional processing centers you cannot visit in person.
- Your local field office may have reduced hours, be closed on certain days, or handle only specific services after the transition.
- You can still call the SSA's national phone line (1-800-772-1213) and use my Social Security online to file claims and check your account, regardless of where your case is processed.
- If you have an open case or pending appeal, contact your local field office before March 7 to learn which center will handle your file and how to reach them.
- The SSA has not announced which specific offices will close or consolidate, so check ssa.gov or call ahead to confirm your office's new status and hours.
Which services are moving to regional centers
The SSA is centralizing work on initial Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability claims. These are new applications for disability benefits — the kind that require medical evidence and a detailed review. Instead of your local field office handling the entire claim, the office will take your process and send it to a regional processing center for evaluation.
Some retirement and survivor benefit claims are also moving to centralized processing, though the exact scope varies by region. The SSA has not released a detailed list of which claim types will be affected in each state. Routine services — like replacing a Social Security card, updating your address, or getting a benefit verification letter — will likely remain at field offices, though hours may change.
Appeals of denied claims and requests for reconsideration will still go through the existing appeals process, but the office handling your appeal may also be in a different location after March 7.
How to find out what changed at your local office
The SSA has not yet published a complete list of which field offices will close, consolidate, or change hours. You can check the SSA's office locator at ssa.gov/locator to see your nearest office and its current hours. After March 7, that page should show any changes to hours or services.
Call your local field office directly at the number listed on ssa.gov/locator before March 7 to ask: Is my office consolidating? Will it be open the same days and hours? Which regional center will handle disability claims filed here? If you have a pending case, ask which center it will be transferred to and how to contact them.
You can also call the SSA's national customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask about changes in your area. Have your zip code ready. Wait times are typically shorter early in the week and early in the day.
What happens if you have a pending claim or appeal
If you filed a disability claim or other process before March 7 and it has not been decided yet, your case will be transferred to a regional processing center. You do not need to do anything — the SSA will move your file automatically. However, you should contact your local field office before the transition to get the name and phone number of the center that will handle your case.
The SSA says the move should not delay your case, and in some cases may speed it up because centralized teams handle claims full-time rather than splitting attention across multiple service types. However, if you need to submit additional medical records or other evidence, you will send them to the regional center, not your local office. Ask your field office for the correct mailing address or fax number before March 7.
If you are in the middle of an appeal — a reconsideration request or a hearing before an administrative law judge — the appeal process itself does not change. Your case stays with the Appeals Council or the judge handling it. However, if the judge orders a new evaluation, that work may go to a regional center.
Filing new claims after March 7
You can file a new Social Security claim online, by phone, or in person at a field office, and the method you choose does not change after March 7. However, where your claim is processed will change.
To file online, go to ssa.gov and create or log into your my Social Security account. You can start an process for retirement, survivor, or disability benefits without leaving home. Online filing is often the fastest route because you can work on it at your own pace and the SSA receives it when ready.
To file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213. A representative will take your process over the phone. This method works well if you have questions or need help understanding what information to provide.
To file in person, visit your local field office. After March 7, the office will take your process and send it to the appropriate processing center. You will not be able to complete the entire process in the office, but the staff can answer questions and make sure your process is complete before it is transferred.
What to do before March 7
If you think you may need to file a claim soon, consider filing before March 7 to avoid any uncertainty about processing times during the transition. The SSA processes claims filed before the centralization date at your local office, which may be faster than waiting for the new system to settle.
If you have a pending case, call your local field office to confirm it exists in their system and to get the contact information for the regional center that will take over. Write down the center's name, phone number, and mailing address. If you need to send documents, you will use this address after March 7.
Update your contact information in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Make sure the SSA has your current phone number and mailing address so they can reach you about your case. If you move after March 7, update your address with the regional center handling your case, not just your local office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my local Social Security office close completely?
The SSA has not announced which offices will close entirely. Some will consolidate (merge with nearby offices), some will reduce hours, and some may stay open with the same schedule. Check ssa.gov/locator or call your office before March 7 to learn its status.
Can I still get a Social Security card or replacement card after March 7?
Yes. Card replacement and other routine services are expected to remain at field offices. However, hours may change, so call ahead to confirm your office is open when you plan to visit.
How long will it take to process my disability claim after it goes to a regional center?
The SSA says centralized processing should not increase wait times and may reduce them for some claims. Initial disability claims typically take three to five months to decide, but this varies based on how quickly you submit medical evidence and how complex your case is. The regional center will contact you if they need more information.
What if I need to appeal a decision made before March 7?
The appeals process does not change. Your appeal stays with the office or judge handling it. If you filed an appeal before March 7, contact that office to confirm where your appeal will be processed after the transition.
Do I need to do anything with my my Social Security account because of this change?
No. Your my Social Security account works the same way before and after March 7. You can still check your earnings record, view your benefit statement, and manage your account online. If you file a claim online, it goes directly into the system regardless of where it is processed.