Social Security Offices in California

Yes, but not for long. There are a few things you should consider.

• Beginning January 6, 2025, your local SSA office will require you to make an appointment in advance.
• If it’s an urgent matter or you need immediate assistance, they may allow walk-ins on a case-by-case basis.

It is always best to call your local Social Security office ahead of time to verify their current procedures.

Yes, beginning on January 6, 2025, you must schedule a Social Security Administration appointment in advance to meet with your local representative.

In the past, scheduling an appointment was recommended to ensure you would be served that day and to avoid lengthy wait times. Now, you will be required to have an appointment to visit with your local SSA representative.

You can schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment by calling your local Social Security office during normal business hours, or by dialing the national number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 7:00pm local time.

The best time to visit a Social Security office is later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and first thing in the morning (between 8am and 10am) or later in the afternoon (between 2pm and 3pm). 

The office is the busiest on Mondays, the morning after a Federal holiday, and the first week of the month.

There are a couple of ways you can perform a Social Security card name change. The easiest way is to make the request online through your My Social Security account.

Depending on the state you live in, you might be unable to complete the request online. If you cannot complete the request online, you will need to complete the Form SS-5 application. 

You can submit the completed application by mail or in person. Remember to include evidence of your name change along with your application.  This could be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order of a legal name change.

The easiest way to check your benefits is by logging into your My Social Security account online.

Once you log into your account, you can view benefit statements, benefit estimates, earnings history, and the status of any pending applications. 

You can also calculate your future benefits by following the steps in the linked article. If you are wondering if you should apply for your social security benefits early, try our Social Security Break Even Calculator.

If your Social Security card has been lost or stolen, you should act immediately!

You will need to request a replacement card, but you should also take the proper steps to prevent identity theft.

You should place a fraud alert on your Social Security number and keep an eye on your credit report.

If someone has already tried to use your information, then you might even consider placing a credit freeze on your SSN.

Thieves could use your information to apply for loans, obtain credit cards, or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.

 Also, be aware of scams that attempt to steal your SSN.