Social Security

The first thing you do upon entering is to check in with the kiosk to the right. If you don't have an appointment, the only option is to select "Other Business". After you have gone through with the steps, you will be given a slip with a letter followed by three digit. Then you wait in the waiting area until they call your number. There is a TV in the middle of the room that shows the numbers that the windows are servicing. Unfortunately, the numbers don't run in order so it's hard to predict where you are in the queue (maybe this prevents people from giving up since if you feel that you are close, you are more inclined to wait?) The signage was very clear and the waiting room was brightly lit. The calling of the numbers was also loud and clear. Lots of props! It's a huge contrast compared to the Santa Teresa DMV which I am sure if people often try to hit both in one run. I recommend coming early.

There's bathroom to the right of the waiting area. You should bring your own publications to read or consider reading one of the SSA publications which are also to the right of the waiting area. The publication comes in Spanish as well as in English. If you are blind or have low vision the office can also help you.

I started typing this review 30 minutes after I have started waiting on a Thursday afternoon. By the time of you reading this review, I may still be waiting... So consider making an appointment.

I had lost my daughters ss card and applied online but I still had to show documents in person. I came here at 9AM and was waiting in line to get a number. An employee came out asking if anyone was there for social security card documents and spotted me with my papers. She quickly asked me what I have and she copied them and said she will process them. I would have had to wait over an hour but I was done in 5 min!!!! I am so grateful for her.

They have 17 windows in which they choose to have one open to help customers at a time. It takes all day to get anything done especially when you just need to get a social security card. It is really crazy that they think we have all day to be sitting here

Extremely POOR PERFORMANCE in handling my application ***** In their records, Social Security Admin had the wrong birth date for me which triggered early Medicare eligibility and earlier than justified Medicare invoicing. On Dec 19, 2022 (6.5 months ago!), I submitted my application, together with all the necessary identification docs, to this office, in person, to correct my birth date in their systems which, downstream, would update Medicare's records, and would then stop Medicare invoicing until year 2024 when I will be truly eligible for Medicare. Last Friday (6/30/23), I visited this office for the 3rd time since Dec 2022 to inquire about the status of my birth date record update application. I talked with Larry at the window, who said he had to defer to his management for review and action. He, there and then, went to their back-office, talked with his manager (Jennifer I.), came back to the window, took down my phone # and email address, and rested me assured that Jennifer I. (office manager) would call me on that day to discuss my case. I am yet to receive a call from Jennifer! Three days later, I just left Jennifer a voicemail, and will have to wait at their mercy to contact me and hopefully correct this horrible "wait forever" situation.

Office is closed. Isn't stated anywhere on their website or even clearly on the door. Things need to be updated and more clear. The phone number it says to call for help on their door after five minutes on hold it hangs up. Waste of time. Terrible service. But then again I shouldn't be surprised. It's social security... Just feel bad for those who aren't tech savvy and won't get the help they need till everything reopens. :(

It was easy and very friendly. I thought it was going to drag or I was going to run into rude people, but instead it was the total opposite.

Very mixed service. I got different answers from different employees. Also, I was effectively blamed for paperwork sent via FedEx to the Baltimore processing center going missing. One employee said, "They lose stuff all the time...Why did you mail it there?...Why are you including our letters to you in this packet?" (I was trying to be considerate and save them from having to search for the letters.) My lawyer even warned me about their poor reputation. In general the social security system is hamstrung by woefully out of date computer systems, doing everything on paper, and being underfunded and understaffed.

One month before turning 65, I decided to apply for Medicare at this social security office located on Cottle Rd. I brought all my necessary paperwork and needed documents thinking everything would run smoothly. Instead, my experience was a nightmare. After a two hour wait, my number was finally called. At first I was relieved knowing I was being helped by the office manager who had announced her position to the entire waiting room. I told her I was applying for Medicare Parts A & B. She said there is no need to apply for Part B. What she did NOT tell me is the penalty I will incur for applying for Part B at a later date. She then sat me at a computer two windows away from her window. After about 30 minutes of trying to "set up my account," I had to leave the computer and ask her for assistance. She became extremely impatient and told me to "go home and complete my account." So, after waiting for 2 1/2 hours, I left in total frustration. Now I understand why this office has such low ratings.

If I could give negative star I'd already have done!!! Parents and I had been waiting for 2 hours this morning t to have some credit correction. And after I handed the tax filing form to a lady called Nguyen . she was so seriously asking if my patents were owning tax or got refund. I didn't understand the question first. Then she showed impatience attitude said"apparently you don't know what you are doing here!". She said she saw they owed tax and said"you don't have the proof here, so I can not help". I said which form that I need? She then said "I don't know, you need to contact IRS, I don't work there so I don't know!!". WTF???!! She has no help altitude and her altitude was the worst regards to bad customer service!!
If you got to talk to Nguyen, that means you are in bad luck, she is not going to help you, but just to turn you away after few hours waiting in the office.

Definitely quicker than I thought. Got there at 8:30am and I was the 3rd person in line. 9am they opened. Checked in by 9:05am with my number. My number was then called by 9:10am to get my request to get a replacement social security card for my daughter processed. Have all your documents to make life easier. I was out by 9:15am and the card will be mailed to me within 2wks.