Idk what's worse dmv or social security office. I've been calling for two weeks to try and speak with someone about my son's benefits and all I get told is they'll send someone a message to call me back. I've left voicemails on the case workers mailbox and today I get told that after trying for 17 days I have to wait until September 10th to be helped in person. Ridiculous half the time u go to the office ppl r talking at eachothers desk and doing nothing no customers are ever in there and the workers who ask for info aren't even updating ur files so what r the employees doing? Advice: Nobody will help you on the phone so don't call!!! You'll wait for them to tell u to make an appointment a month later this has been my experience multiple times. And for renewals GO INTO THE OFFICE. The people on the phone sound great but they won't finish helping you right they'll leave u alone after the call and ur stuckkkkkk! read more

Christian did an amazing job helping me with my paperwork, he carries himself in a respectful, helpful manner. Thank you Christian! read more

Sherry at window 4 is super sweet! Service was quick and easy. I had dropped off my forms Friday prior to get my name changed (due to marriage) and it was processed by Thursday. I had requested my original documents to not be mailed back to me, and instead to give me a call so I can pick it up in person. She did just that! read more

The woman with glasses at window 13 was extremely rude, hostile, and showed blatant racial discrimination. She drove me away with an unacceptable attitude. We pay a massive amount of taxes every year to support government operations, yet this is the kind of treatment we receive in return? I really want to report her, it's 7/23 today. read more

My experience coming to was fine because I made an appointment several weeks before and I showed up on time. I only waited about five minutes. I also brought all the paperwork that I needed and I got that information from their website. However, I noticed that some of the personnel that work here were rude to some of the people waiting for service. Also, the people waiting should do their homework ahead of time and come prepare with their paperwork or documents. So I can understand how employees get frustrated, but also people get frustrated because many of them need to get the process done and they feel frustrated with the bureaucracy. with that said in the five minutes, I was there I heard many people complaining and also employees yelling at those people so overall, it was a stressful experience, even though my own transaction was very fast and easy because I came prepared. My recommendation is for you to make an appointment and also review carefully the requirements that are posted on their website so that once you are at your appointment, you can have a fast and productive experience. also, I saw several signs that say that appointments are REQUIRED. Also, some of the disturbances I witnessed were because people who did not have appointments or were missing documentation but were very insistent which then became a yelling match between them and the SSN employee! Another suggestion is to be patient. This is the Social Security office which is a government facility, and this type of thing can be slow and bureaucratic. This is how it is, so be patient, come prepared, and make sure to have an appointment. read more

Social Security Administration - signs at the entrance - Public Services & Government Near Me - Hayward, California

No service in this office they push you out of this office as soon as they see you they do not care I have been there 6 times this month No solution what so ever they said it takes a month for the claim to process I don't have an option of going to another office to process this claim. Unfortunately it's just a waiting game and no one cares. read more

I know most folks won't bother to review the SSA if they have a positive experience, hence the low rating. But I've got to give a shout out to the entire staff here. Do be sure to make an appointment, which you can do online if the phone lines are slammed. We were taken a few minutes before our scheduled appointment, and even though we had to run across the street to the courthouse for a form we were missing, they simply moved our appointment back an hour to accommodate. Everyone we encountered was knowledgable and friendly, truly rare in a government office! read more

Rebecca is very unprofessional, easily agitated, yelling at people with disabilities. She attempted to intimidate me, which didn't happen. Terrible customer service, and violates disabilities act. Rude behavior, and extremely disrespectful. Sad to see this office manager with so little skill. Please re train this person, she looks like she is on something sadly. This office desperately needs a new manager, or some updated training on discrimination laws. Awful experience and hope she understands her roll. Lack of leadership, and clearly lacks knowledge of legal rights as well as laws. read more

Social Security Administration - Social Security Office on Southland Dr. Hayward - Public Services & Government Near Me - Hayward, California

Five Stars for Shalanda She was a bit impatient at first but then turned and was extremely helpful and explained the process so I could understand. The security guard inside was extremely rude. read more

If you want your information lost and time wasted go to this location. DONT TRUST THEIR MAILBOX their supervisor fails to check it and if you have a customer service problem expect for nobody to help you resolve it or care until their next available appointment. The most horrible experience with a company that we should trust our important information, they are not helpful to our community and don't take accountability for their mistakes. read more

We arrived at 9:05 AM. We were out by 9:35 PM and Kevin was terrific and took care of all of our needs quickly and efficiently.

I scheduled an appointment online and received reminders through text and email about my upcoming appointment. Upon my arrival, I had already checked in on my phone and just had to scan the QR code provided. I waited less than 10 minutes before I was called to a window. The employee and I had a great conversation and she was also helpful and kind. I was out in 30 minutes or less. read more

We had a surprisingly pleasant experience considering bureaucracy is usually the least amount of fun you can have, ever. You absolutely should make an appointment, which we did--they had to announce to people in the waiting room that they will take all appointment BEFORE any walk-ins, so walk-ins may wait literal hours before being seen. But everyone we interacted with was friendly, helpful and competent. read more

Adding further to my earlier reviews, I had submitted my SSA-44 for Medicare Part B IRMAA adjustment, and SSA refunded the amount they had charged for January and February 2026 without the need for any follow-ups. Reconfirmed what I had mentioned in my earlier review about SSA being very efficient and making sure to take care of their subscribers. Keep it up! read more

I was applying for Medicare and the worker was extremely helpful and very uplifting. hope there will be more people like her in other government departments. read more

The Social Security Administration has become incredibly bureaucratic and frustrating to deal with. You're now required to make an appointment just to be seen but even when you do have one, there's no guarantee they'll call you in order or on time. I watched people without appointments get helped before those of us who followed the rules and scheduled ahead. It feels disorganized and unfair. I understand things can be busy, but there needs to be more accountability and better management of their appointment system. read more

My wife went into your Social Security office in Hayward California Friday April 25th to sign up for Medicare. I also went because our previous visit there was not a great one. The man was very rude. The visit last Friday was 100% the opposite. The young lady that helped my wife was Shalonda. The absolute best customer service by far. She was very soft spoken, answered all my wife's questions along with a smile. I will say that honestly, she needs to do all the training of the old staff and show the new team members how to excel with customer service. I would also think that she be considered for advancement to a managerial position. THANK YOU, Shalonda. John M. read more

I did a walk in right at 9 AM on Friday for a name change (just got married). I was finished by 9:35. As a person of color, I felt respected, taken serious and taken care of by their staff in Hayward. I will be back for any future needs. read more

I just walked in to drop off my paperwork. Luckily I only waited for 20 mins! and got my business done. The SSA employee that I dealt with was very pleasant. read more

I had an appointment and was seen within five minutes of my appointment time. The lady who helped me was so nice and helpful.

Line is always long here and takes a long time to be called. Be prepared to be on your phone to have time passed by. Some workers here are disrespectful and think we're some small minded people that is not smart enough to talk to them about what we are here for. One worker lied and played with our emotion she said we needed some documents of proof then she can reinstate the benefit when she received the proof then she ended up saying we cannot reinstate the benefits. We Wasted our time and effort. read more

Went there to order my sons social security card. I took his original birth certificate and my valid California drivers license. The wait was not long. Maybe about a half hour if that. I actually expected a longer wait. When my number was called I approached the window and advised the employee I was there to re order my sons social security card. I presented the legal documents (my calif drivers license and my sons original birth certificate). I was advised that the documents I presented were not acceptable to order his social security card. Apparently his legal birth certificate with the county seal and my drivers license is not sufficient. It was explained to me that "birth certificates can be altered" even though I was presenting an original and as I stated before with the county seal on it I was advised that I needed to bring either my sons insurance card (that is not a legal document) and or his medical records that show his date of birth. Medical records can be ALTERED as well. I just don't understand how a birth certificate is not valid but medical records and or an insurance card is???! Fricken baffling to me. Beyond ridiculous. read more

I am well overdue of when I said I would write this and I just want to preface this with: you attract more bees with honey than vinegar. In other words, no one wants to go to the SSA office, don't be rude as a visitor, be nice, the employees there are there to work, and there's just no reason to project any stress onto them. My father and I went into the SSA office determined to get all his retirement "stuff" figured out. We did his application on line and we didn't hear back for months even after we mailed out the documents SSA requested. When we called, the lady on the phone told us we had to go into the office and provide them with a passport, I was confused by this, but we're getting somewhere, we'll go! My dad is an immigrant, he's worked in this country for over 40 years and put me through college, I needed help to help him retire and get his benefits. So I went to this office, ready to learn, ask questions, get it all resolved and handled. We were also told on the phone the day before our visit that verification of documents at the SSA office is shortest wait and quickest appointment which was assuring to go the very next day as a drop in. She was right, we did arrive around 10:30am on a Wednesday and waited probably 7 minutes before we got to meet with someone. The first lady was very nice and I explained to her that we had completed an application in January (it was April 3rd) and my dad retired as of April 1st and nothing had moved forward which is why we were there with his passport and naturalization card because the lady on the phone told us to the day before. The woman confirmed she already had those documents in my dad's file so she wasn't sure what the issue was and then Lisette came by to help clear up our confusion with my dad's application for SS benefits by asking her colleague cheerfully: "Want me to help with this one?" Her colleague agreed and Lisette looked up at us and said "You look like cool people, come over to this next window we'll sort it out." And I could see the clouds starting to part and the sun shining through...in my mind. Lisette confirmed at the start that because I had filled out my dad's application online that I'm a third party so my dad would have to verify/confirm that he is applying for SS benefits. Cleared that up! And she even said sorry for it not being clearly communicated to us, so nice! We spent the next half hour sorting it all out and it would've been quicker had it not been for all my questions, I was even repeating back to Lisette so she could confirm I understood correctly. She was God sent, I know that may seem intense, but my dad's social security benefits is one aspect of his retirement, there's his union and pension, medicare, there was so much paperwork and deadlines and you have to do this first before you do that. I had been overwhelmed for weeks, just avoiding following through cause I never knew where to start and all those weeks of paperwork and phone calls disappeared from my mind thanks to Lisette. She was friendly, caring, helpful, understanding. My dad has an accent and sometimes likes to share stories and Lisette was so so kind to him and would actively listen. I am also in my masters program right now for public administration and I've come to realize that she sets the standard and values for what it means to be a public service worker, she's the ideal, her care to help people with the government resources and benefits she's responsible for "administering", she's amazing! At the end of the appointment, my dad had said he wished my mom was with us cause how would we get Lisette again when I would come back with her and Lisette offered to make an appointment with my mom to meet her. I was ready to start start crying happy tears, again, this all has been weighing on me for months, it's a lot of things and a lot of formality and policies that's in really confusing jargon, Lisette was and is an angel! She literally sat with us as I called my mom to ask her availability and Lisette worked with that...right? I'm getting teary again. read more

My number was called a few minutes I got in. Everything went smooth. To eliminate the wait time in line, register yourself from the kiosk outside the SSI office or make an appointment in advance. read more

They don't care about anyone!!!!!!!! They don't answer the phones they hang up on you everytime you call they don't say anything just pick up and hang up or you are on hold for 2 to 3 hours at a time they are all idiots that work there!!!!!!! read more

Got there at like 9:15 ish I wanna say? But anywho there was a long line, it went super fast though. Security guard was very patient with everyone and he was very kind.. waiting time was about 35mins not bad at all. If you're in a rush I suggest making a appointment and or showing up to be in line like @8:30.. if I had to I would go again.. read more

Went there today at 10am. Notice says they are working until 12noon today only-Friday. Why? No Federal holiday today 5/10/24. Then they said they are not doing counseling today. For an elderly woman turning 65, they couldn't do an exception. I brought all my papers. Lady just being lazy, I have still about 1.5 hours left. They said I have to get a call in July few Days before my 65th birthday. That is why elderly people get scammed! First by SS itself! read more

Horrible place. I called them to ask how to change my physical residence address and my mailing address. The lady who picked up phone, said : you have already been denied for the disability benefit , what is the point to change address??? What the hell??? I got denied, meaning it's the end of the world ? And I can't even change my mailing address? Ridiculous read more

Unprofessional, curt and abrupt on the phone. Called because I needed information on following up with a claim I helped my uncle open, and rather than directing me, agent immediately insinuated that I was doing something illegal without him here with me. "Oh, is he there with you?" she says snidely. Your tax dollars at work folks. read more

It took 4 min 25 seconds listening to and stating answers to a computer voicemail system in order to establish my place in line. Then I was informed of a 1.5 hour wait time and encouraged to ask to be called back. I said "call back" VERY clearly, but then the voice told me to stay on the line and that I'd be talked to by a human shortly. The voice asked for feedback at the end of the call. How could the SSA have the nerve to ask for feedback when their voicemail service is almost barbaric in its thoughtlessness and illogicality. How could any human being with a brain not realize that this system is degrading and stupid? read more

I went to this SS at 10:15 and was out in less than an hour. I was very impressed! 5 stars go to Kuya Ronnie the security guard / information or customer service desk. Not only was he nice he was very helpful to everyone and knowledgeable. He also made sure everyone has a mask on. Salamat po sa tulong ninyo! read more

1) do NOT go during the first of the month 2) make sure you have ALL your documents needed prior to coming here 3) you should receive ALL your documentation back!! I had all of my documents ready to go, and the fire alarm went off 3 times!! We had to evacuate twice. It took me a total of freaking 4 hours.. ugh.. what a nightmare of a place. Never doing a name change again! read more

I went to the Southland Social Security office with out an appointment . I was out of there after having all my issues and questions addressed by friendly personnel . The place is fairly small , so it gets crowded fairly quick . Seating is too close together . Overall, not a bad place to get your important problems / issues taken care of . read more

Though it is located on the road through Southland, it can be difficult to find. The sign is only on one side of the building. It can be missed, especially If you come in from Hesperian. My tip: The address is "#500" meaning suite 500 on the 5th floor. It is the only building around with 5 floors. (Total of 6 floors, actually.) Keeping that in mind, the building is easy to locate. The wait times will vary by day of the month, day of the week, and time of day. I went on Friday at 10:30am. The main parking in the back was full. I had to park way out in what I am calling "auxiliary parking." Not exactly concert parking, but not 7-11 parking either. I went for a replacement card. There were blank applications under a sign on the left hand wall in the waiting area. But no pens. Used a pen of my own I found in the bottom of my purse. The public bathrooms are down the hall. They're also unisex. The linoleum is stained. Looks like someone used the wrong type of cleanser at some point. But it was well-stocked and obviously cleaned that morning. There are only 5 visible windows with clerks behind them, but don't let that scare you. Behind door 6 is a room with about 20 cubes. (Not all were occupied during my visit, however.) I was helped by a very nice lady with long beautiful braids. She entered my address information in the system. (If you're not actively receiving benefits, they likely don't have this information on file.) She ordered my replacement card to be mailed to me. It should arrive in a couple weeks. She was pleasant, helpful and quick. Though I only came in for a copy of my card, the nice clerk was able to also provide me with an activation number to use to create an account online. So I ended up with even more help than expected! I waited 1hr 15mins. Out in time for lunch. Not too bad. But. I was there because I need to get a new "Real ID" from the DMV that will soon be required by DHS for air travel. Unfortunately, this requirement has increased traffic at this office as well as the DMV. If it weren't for this requirement, I wouldn't have had to wait there at all! The office has a Self Check-In station. And multiple queues depending on your particular issue. (Similar to the DMV.) What the DMV has, that this office could use, is the nice person that makes sure everyone has a pen and clipboard, any required forms, forms are filled out properly, and answers any quick and easy questions. If you can, I recommend submitting your request online. But, like me, you may not be able to do so. I received an error when I tried. If you do have to go in person, I hope your experience was as good as or better than mine. read more

Every documents I sent to the office is always never received forcing me to have to go in person. I'm certain that the person working the mailroom are throwing them out. There is no way 3 different documents would not have been received. Too suspicious. read more

I'v been to social security office at Hayward  a few times this year and two times I have had the misfortune of going to a lady with glasses in her late forties at window 4, I think her name was Chǒulòu de rén, she gave me the impression like I was someone trying to get something for nothing!, it just upset me to be looked at with a stone face! with no empathy and challenged everything I said or asked, short of long story, I did manage to get some needed help from Mr. Diaz he deserves a five-star read more

I didnt have an appointment. I had to do a name change from a recent marriage. Check in on the 5th floor and wait for your name or number to be called. Came in 8:30am got out by 10:15am with my receipt People who even came later than me still were assisted faster. read more

Called and waited 3 hours on hold to be told there were no available appointments and they would mail be appointment slots within 5-7 business days. I never got the mail so decided to bite the bullet and just go walk in. Came in at 2:44 and was called at 3:50pm. Took less than 10mins for the lady to look over my documents and change my name on my social security card. There needs to be a better system for this. read more

so I got in here at 9:10am today and I was hopeful id be in and out. when my number/ticket had been printed, I was B212; they were only serving B204 when I sat down. Bummer. all I needed was a new SS card bc I got married and changed my last name...this is why people don't change their last names, it chews up your whole fricking morning. I should've gone shopping over at Southland for an hour or walked around or something, vs. sitting there the 1hr 25min. The majority of people there were filing for SS benefits, so they had ample people accommodating those folks get checked in. I think my wait was actually less than theirs which is sad, I don't wish long lines/waits at any office on anyone, it just sucks. homie who sat next to me was smart and said he grabbed his number and then left for an hour, so at least his time wasn't wasted. so I waited there and then FINALLY my # was called... the lady assisting me was very nice and helpful. handed her my forms...I was seriously out in 5min. so all that time for such a quick turnaround, very frustrating. apparently somewhere you can make an appointment for this place; I didn't see where. when you go down here, bring your patience, headphones, and a book...and settle in! read more

Stay away from this place AT ALL COSTS if you are looking for a name and/or gender marker change, or any service related to straightening out your ID documents during a gender transition. Go to the San Leandro location instead. The person who initially helped me was very nice, and put my name/gender marker change through after I showed them the necessary paperwork. However, their "superior," a middle aged white cisgender woman, came through after I had already left the station with my receipt, and made the person essentially undo my gender change. The transphobe handed me a packet of outdated information that CLEARLY contradicts information that was available on the SSA.gov website, and used it to justify demanding further documents from me (and the person I went with) before she would "allow" us to have our information changed. She also tried pulling the excuse "your paperwork uses the word gender and we have a field for sex." This, too, is out of date information. There was no reason the documents we brought should not have been accepted, other than this woman's agenda. The next day I was able to get my information updated at the San Leandro Social Security office with no problem. They informed me that the agent who denied my gender marker change at the Hayward location was in error, and that I indeed only needed one document for the change to go through. I have informed the ACLU of the unacceptable anti-transgender discrimination I have faced at this Hayward office. I wish I had gotten the transphobe's name. read more