You cannot talk to a real person. And the computer can't help you they don't even know what you're…read moretalking about. You can't ask the computer a question you can't carry on a conversation with the computer ! This is ridiculous! I cannot get any help because the computer cannot help me !

I have tried calling 4 times today and I keep getting hung up on as soon as the wait music is over.read more

West Bloomington is becoming more and more beautiful as we speak- due in huge part to this…read moreorganization. The people in this group volunteer their time to keep our community healthy and safe. The part of the projec that most effects me is the Community Garden, in which I now have a plot. With very little yard at home, being able to grow vegetables and herbs with others in my community is very exciting.

We love Uptown Normal. So much to do. A great place to hang. Organized events or leisurely…read morestrolling. We live he Circle and especially when there is local music. The access to the Train station is great. Awesome for townies and college students alike. Great food and shopping. Access to the trail, and amazing coffee. Plus the Children's Museum!!! Just a gorgeous well maintained locale. Well done, Normal!!

Given the shaky state of the SSA under DOGE, I have been very pleasantly surprised at how…read more*functional* and orderly our local Champaign-Urbana office has been. The lobby has enough seating normally. There are no frantic crowds. There is one man sitting guard at a desk. The number system keeps things orderly. Staffing appears a bit low, so it takes a while, but none of the waiting times (in 3 visits this 2025) have been unreasonable for a government department. Employees are polite. My just-started benefits arrived *early*. You would almost not be aware that things in Washington, DC, and Baltimore are in chaos. I have far more trust in getting results by visiting our local branch than waiting endlessly on the official SSA telephone lines. (Admittedly understaffed.)

The office here works through some issues, but there e-mails are causing me anxiety. They make…read moremistakes and now I owe them money that I do not have. My letters are not received (since I never get replies from them) and they keep sending me the same letters over and over again. I got it the first time! So they keep stressing me out my re-sending me the same issue that I have to read and get depressed about. I wish you didn't give me the money, rather than giving it and now asking for it back. I do not have it!

The level of service is a crapshoot. I've been there 5 times, and 5 different people have "helped"…read moreme. Both men that waited on me were helpful. However, 2 out 3 women were not. One in particular, Julie, asked intrusive questions and was quite unprofessional and rude. While I was applying for benefits for my minor children, Julie actually asked, "so is mom in the picture or what?" My wife and I are still married (32+ years) but this has nothing to do with my son's benefits. My son currently lives outside of home due to his disability. Astoundingly, Julie also asked, "so when he turns 18, is he just gonna go straight to jail?" Again, not relevant, and a bit insulting. When I asked why these additional questions were necessary, Julie said that SSA needed to know the background of our family and our circumstances. What does our marriage situation and future plans for our son have to do with our son's benefits? Julie also called my phone a few minutes before our scheduled meeting and left a message on my voicemail saying that she needed to see court documents for my son's adoption. Apparently, I was expected to scramble and provide these documents within a few minutes even though I had already provided this information and documentation to the same office. Not sure why these and other prying questions were asked. Definitely NOT impressed with this SSA office.

I've called social security for an appt. I've left msgs for call backs, I don't get them. I've…read morewaited in hold for over 8 hours. I go in without an appt & get lectured every time. This is ridiculous. This is for the normal IL office. Why don't they fly a national flag there? They did on Williamsburg Drive, Bloomington IL office.

#1 Make an appointment online #2 Make sure you have all the…read moreproper documentation #3 Know that some ppl just hate their jobs and are overall not nice but don't let that get you down because the adorable security guard will make up for the lack of customer service you receive by your clerk.

Why do you still have appointments? Covid is over, stop being so lazy! Get people in and out. I…read morehave to wait a month to make an appointment? Ridiculous. Do better you lazy goverment employees. One more reason this country is in massive debt, between these fools who can barely speak correct English and the same with the dmv, as above so below, this country is runs on idiots