Social Security Administration

You can call to ask about retirement, disability and other Social Security benefits, or to get things like a replacement card or a benefit letter. Many of these can also be done on their website.

Older adults

Call 1-800-772-1213 Visit their site ↗

Good to know

Their page says wait times are usually shorter in the morning, later in the week and later in the month. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. You can also find your local office's number with their office locator.

Before you call

Have ready

your Social Security number, and the letter or notice you are calling about, with the date on it
if someone died: their name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death; if you do not have the number, Social Security will ask for other details such as their date of birth and their parents' names
if you are applying for survivors benefits: your own Social Security number, where you were born, the date and place of your marriage (and any earlier marriages), your bank routing and account number for direct deposit, and your children's names

They may ask

what you are calling about: for example, that you want to submit a request for reconsideration of a decision, or to apply for survivors benefits or the one-time death payment

They can

help you submit a written request for reconsideration (form SSA-561) when you call: tell the representative that is what you want. The request itself has to be in writing
take a request to waive an overpayment, or to pay it back at a lower rate; for an SSI overpayment of $2,000 or less that you think was not your fault, the waiver request can be made by phone
take a report of a death, if no funeral home reported it, and take your request for survivors benefits or the one-time death payment
help you through a free interpreter

They cannot

answer outside Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time; automated phone services run 24 hours
keep disability payments going on a phone call alone: when a notice says your disability has ended, the request to continue payments has to be in writing

Waits are usually shorter in the morning, later in the week and later in the month. If you are appealing a decision and its deadline is close, do not wait on hold: send or upload your written request for reconsideration (form SSA-561) the same day.

In the emergency guides: My bank account was frozen or closed → · My benefits were stopped, cut or refused → · My health insurance or Medicaid is ending → · I lost my wallet, phone or ID, or it was stolen → · Someone died → · Someone is using my identity →

Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday; automated phone services 24 hours a day
Coverage: Nationwide (U.S.)
Languages: English, Spanish
Best for: Older adults
Last checked: October 3, 2026

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