Some Social Security offices are temporarily closed, and you need to know which ones and what to do instead
Social Security offices in multiple states have announced temporary closures. These closures are not permanent, but they do affect how and when you can handle certain tasks in person. The good news is that most of what you need to do can happen by phone, mail, or online — and Social Security has set up ways to reach them during closures.
This guide explains which offices are affected, what services are still available, and the fastest way to get help if your local office is closed.
Key Takeaways
- Temporary closures affect specific Social Security offices in multiple states, but the national phone line and online services remain open.
- You can handle most tasks — filing for benefits, reporting changes, requesting documents — without visiting an office in person.
- Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to reach Social Security during a closure, or use your my Social Security account online.
- If you need an in-person appointment after your office reopens, you can schedule one through the Social Security website or by phone.
- Some tasks like signing documents may require a notary or mail-in process if you cannot visit in person.
Which offices are closed and for how long
Social Security has not published a single master list of all temporary closures on one page. Instead, closures are announced by individual field offices. To find out whether your local office is affected, visit ssa.gov, click "Locations," enter your zip code, and look for a notice on your office's page. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether your office is currently open for walk-in service.
Closure lengths vary. Some offices close for a few days; others may be closed for weeks. The notice on the office's page will say when it is expected to reopen. If the date is not listed, call the number above to ask.
Even when an office is closed to walk-ins, the phone lines and online services continue to work. You are not locked out of Social Security — you just cannot show up in person.
How to file for benefits without visiting an office
You can file for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits entirely online or by phone. You do not need to wait for your office to reopen.
To file online, log into or create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. From there, you can start an process for retirement benefits. The process takes about 15 minutes. You will answer questions about your work history, family, and when you want benefits to start. Social Security will tell you right away whether you are likely to receive benefits and roughly how much.
If you cannot or prefer not to file online, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to file over the phone. A representative will walk you through the same questions and submit your process. This call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or disability benefits, you must file by phone or in person — the online option is not available for these programs. Call the number above to start the process.
Reporting changes to your account during a closure
If your circumstances change — you got married, moved, started work, or had a change in income — you need to report it to Social Security. You do not have to wait for your office to reopen.
Log into your my Social Security account and look for "Message Center" or "Manage Your Benefits." Many changes can be reported there. If the change you need to report is not available online, call 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number and the details of the change ready.
Some changes, like name changes due to marriage or divorce, may require you to mail in documents like a marriage certificate or divorce decree. Social Security will tell you what to send and where to send it. You can also ask whether they will accept a photo of the document or need the original.
Getting a replacement Social Security card or other documents
You can order a replacement Social Security card online through your my Social Security account if you are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older and have a state-issued ID. The card will be mailed to you — it usually arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
If you cannot order online, you can mail an process to your local Social Security office. read form SS-5 from ssa.gov, fill it out, and mail it with a copy of your ID and proof of citizenship. Include a return envelope with postage. Processing takes longer by mail, usually 2 to 4 weeks.
For other documents — like a benefit verification letter or a record of your earnings — you can print them from your my Social Security account or request them by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
What to do if you need to sign documents in person
Some situations require a signature in front of a Social Security representative — for example, if you are explore for benefits on behalf of someone else or if Social Security asks you to verify information in person. If your office is closed, you have a few options.
First, ask Social Security whether the signature can be notarized instead. Many tasks can be completed with a notary public's signature rather than a Social Security employee's. You can find a notary at a bank, law office, or UPS store. This usually costs $5 to $15.
Second, you can schedule an appointment for after your office reopens. Call 1-800-772-1213 or use your my Social Security account to book a time. This reserves a spot for you and usually means a shorter wait.
Third, if the task is urgent, ask whether Social Security can mail you the documents to sign and return by mail. This takes longer but works if you cannot visit in person.
Using my Social Security account to avoid the office entirely
The easiest way to handle most Social Security tasks during a closure is through your my Social Security account. You can create one at ssa.gov in about 5 minutes using your email, Social Security number, and a state ID.
From your account, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit amount, change your address, report a change in work or income, request a benefit verification letter, and start an process for retirement benefits. You can also see messages from Social Security and respond to requests for information.
If you are over 65 or do not have a state ID, you may not be able to create an account online. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether a representative can help you set one up or handle your task over the phone.
What happens to your benefits during an office closure
Office closures do not stop your benefits. If you are already receiving Social Security, your payment will arrive on schedule. Direct deposit continues, and your benefit amount does not change because the office is closed.
If you filed for benefits before the closure, your process is still being processed. The closure may add a few days to the timeline, but Social Security will contact you when a decision is made. You do not need to do anything — just wait for their call or check your my Social Security account for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get my Social Security check if my office is closed?
Yes. Closures do not affect benefit payments. If you receive benefits by direct deposit, your money will arrive on your normal payment date. If you receive a check by mail, it will be mailed as usual. The office closure does not change when or how you get paid.
How long do these closures usually last?
That depends on the reason for the closure. Some last a few days; others may last weeks. Check your local office's page on ssa.gov for the expected reopening date, or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask.
What if I need to sign something and my office is closed?
Ask Social Security whether a notary public can sign instead — many tasks allow this. If not, you can schedule an in-person appointment for after the office reopens, or ask whether Social Security will mail you the documents to sign and return.
Can I file for benefits while my office is closed?
Yes. You can file for retirement benefits online through your my Social Security account or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. For disability or SSI, you must file by phone. The office closure does not stop you from starting the process.
Where do I learn about my office is closed?
Visit ssa.gov, click "Locations," enter your zip code, and look for a notice on your office's page. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether your local office is currently open for walk-in service.