There is no more walk in or appoints in the office now. All telephone appointments. Took a month in the waitlist, then another month for the appointment. Then they didn't call. Lied in a note that they called three times, but there is no record on my phone. And I have to call the national line to get a referral to the local office that failed to call. Took another hour on the phone. Looping phone trees for you to guess the magic words to get to an agent. And the agent you get is an asshole. Extremely rude and unhelpful. Talks down on people. Department of Government Efficiency my ***. The government has never run more inefficiently read more

I received a phone call from SS who said they could not approve starting my SS payments because my State of birth did not match my approved Medicare information. I was instructed to go downtown with my original birth certificate and drivers license. When I got there, the security guard informed me that Seattle started a call-in requirement for appointments this week and gave ne a phone number to call and a QR code for their web site. There is no way to request an appointment on their web site. After a long phone tree, the robot said the on-hold wait time was "over 120 minutes." That could mean "not today." I will try again at 8:00 AM and see if "over 120 minutes" means over 8 hours. I have spent over 2 hours today to get this far. read more

Okay, I'll have to admit that there are some very bad reviews of this place that made me laugh out loud. As one who's everyday job involves "setting expectations", really people what do you expect? Everyone from every walk of life, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, etc needs to come here to get their paperwork. In my case, I had to replace a lost SS card, which I'll be sure to never need again, if I'm lucky. First, they open at 9, but allow you to get there early at 8:30 to grab a ticket to get your place in line. As for me, I showed up in early afternoon and it was quite busy. As I drew my ticket, I expected to sit down for an hour before my name was called and I WAS able to get my new card applied for and back to my car, which was parked on the street, within one hour. The security guards here, really go above and beyond their jobs I think, to help facilitate the best situation for everyone there, including themselves. But they help and intervene when and where it's appropriate, which was much appreciated. The room itself is quite cramped with very airport-like seating cramming a lot of people into a small space, will provide you with a plethora of various odors to smell. I'm not sure what they all are, but I wasn't hungry for a number of hours after my visit. If you have a wifi hotspot and a tablet, your time here can be really productive. They don't have any public wifi. I was very pleasantly surprised at how nice the agent was, once I got to my turn. She was very friendly and nice and the transaction went quickly and convveniently. read more

God.... Never losing my social security card again after having the misfortune of visiting this shit hole. I went on my hour long lunch break, knowing I'd be pushing it, but thought it wouldn't be too bad. Haaaa. Try an 1.5 hr wait. On top of that, everyone here was sketch as hell. There was this one lady who kept talking to herself and smiling at people SUPER creepy and guess what... HOMEGIRL CAME AND SAT BY ME. She kept talking under her breath and was talking about my clothes (not mean, just in a weird descriptive way) and I nearly had a god damn heart attack. I moved as swiftly as possibly after being still for probably three minutes... I hear if they can't see you move, they don't know you're there. I finally got called up and explained my situation, and was done with the process in about 5 minutes. The guy that I had was rude and had an attitude for no reason. The two stars is for the security guards - they're all really nice. read more

I called Bobby on 800-772-1213 on May 9. She works in Auburn WA out of the Seattle WA office and she was very helpful in explaining yet another letter from the SSA Medicare system regarding the special costs of Medicare Part B that would be assessed to me unless I called them. Thanks to Bobby's knowledge and special assistance I was able to find and complete and file one more online form. Congress has made such a mess of the SSA laws and regulations that people like Bobby have to spend their entire day helping people like me get through the many forms and help us identify and provide the required evidence just to get our basic benefits after we have paid into the system for 40+ years. Thanks Bobby! I am glad you Feds finally got a tiny raise this year. I wish it were more. You are the best! read more

Humiliating, disrespecting and unprofessional! Avoid the Philipino lady if you could because she literally told me she had to go take her break before finishing assisting me. She told me to get another ticket and wait from the start! After waiting for more than hour, she wanted me to wait all OVER AGAIN This is the worst customer service I have ever had. read more

I absolutely dreaded coming to the social security office to get a new card with my married name. I put it off for... well, I'll use the "we moved!" excuse. But a lot time on top of that. I came in the afternoon, not hard to find but a small office. An officer immediately asked my reason for visiting and prompted me to use the computer sign in system. I was also able to fill out the form while waiting, so that when my number was called (just like the DMV) I was ready. The woman I worked with was very nice and the process was quite simple. I presented my marriage license and she didn't say anything about the time gap. She just said "Congratulations," and told me the new social security card would arrive by mail within two weeks. Total time was 20 minutes, at most. My card actually came within a few days! Also, I didn't even need to present my original card, just provide my number. read more

I arrived at the office about a half hour prior to the official opening time on a Wednesday and almost every chair was filled by the time employees started to help people...I advise arriving early. Nobody likes making a trip to the SSA, but I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. The two security guards working at the door couldn't have been more helpful or polite, and the number queue system for serving visitors based upon their specific needs seemed very efficient. read more

Zero stars if I could give it...had the worst experience ever... First of all, the location has changed to 915 2nd Ave in the main federal building downtown. But you won't find that info anywhere else unless you show up at the door of the old location and see a sign saying they've moved. Even the security guards at the new office said there's no other way to find out... I came in for a simple name change after getting married which turned out to be a 2+hour fiasco which lasted 2 days (and counting) mainly due to people who don't care enough about their jobs to do the right thing. The wait was about 30 minutes..which was to be expected. Long story short, the lady at the counter originally informed me that I couldn't keep my maiden name as part of my middle name because it wouldn't fit. I find out later when I called the office that it was complete b.s. The character limit is 16 and my new name would have only taken 10. They told me over the phone to come back in the next day because I had to do it in person. So I took yet another lunch break, drove downtown, paid for parking, only to be told that they couldn't process this request until my new card came in the mail and because I only had a temporary driver's license issued to me. Doesn't matter that they processed it just fine the day before with the temp license. Oh and yes, she confirmed that my name really could have fit when I was specifically told NO just the day before... So at this point, after two trips and multiple phone calls, nothing was accomplished. I have to wait for my faulty card to arrive in the mail and look forward to another trip to the social security office. Although I think I will travel a few more miles north and try my luck at another location. read more

Going to this place is like watching a remake of The Wire set in East Germany. Long waits, smelly, uncomfortable seating, security guards yelling at you for using your phone. And the people who have helped me have been surprisingly surly about getting details right like my address or the spelling of my name. Pro tip: place opens at 9, but you can get there at least 30 minutes early to register, so you're at the front of the line when they start calling numbers. read more

I went there to replace my Social Security card and I was expecting a long wait and bad customer service. I was happy to receive good service from both security and the lady who assisted me. The wait was only about 45 minutes, which I think is very reasonable for an infrequent need (this is the first time I've lost my card and I'm over 35) and for not having an appointment. The staff was especially professional considering that many fellow patrons seemed to not be very sharp or good at following simple directions. It'd be nice if the federal government could do a few more things to make the place feel less like MINIPLENTY; however the Brutalist architecture of the building would make that a tall order. read more

Life is not always easy. Andrew Snyder makes mine a lot more manageable, he is always so helpful. Communication is the key to success with your Social Security account. read more

I can't complain about the staff. They are friendly and professional with all the colorful people that come through. It's the actual logistics. I'm not sure what the groups mean, but group A moved 1 number every 15 minutes and I was more than 10 numbers away.... Some days are longer than others, so be wary of Thursdays for sure! Their hours are extended to 4 now, but still closed on Wednesday after Noon. Be ready for 2 hour waits, but 45 minutes is possible if you're lucky. Tip: Only some elevators go to the 9th floor. Check before going up! read more

Don't ever get sick or injured. I told Erin (case worker) that the research I've done says people get denied for disability in the first few steps, as regular practice, then have to give a lawyer a big chunk of the money you collect to fight them. The whole process can easily take up to 2 years. In the meantime you are supposed to fend for yourself, even if you can't afford food. This is based on direct information from people who are either on SS or applying for it. Erin assured me, people only get denied when they either, don't get their paperwork in on time, or can't get doctors to back up the fact that you are disabled. I have doctors, tests and records at University of Washington Med center and The Polyclinic, that back me up fully and have labeled me as permanently disabled. They denied me anyway, as the research had shown me. They have a doctor on staff, who doesn't work with patients in ongoing care like most doctors do, and spends much of his time only looking at representations of people on paper. This doctor helps them decide the case, based on paperwork. Neither Erin or this doctor have ever even seen my face. read more

I went in after a stressful day at the courthouse processing my divorce and was in and out with a name change in 10 minutes. I visited right as they were closing. Just be mindful of their new closing hours which are posted on a handwritten note on the door. read more

We moved. I lost track of my SS card. Normally I have a pocket of amusement for people who lose their personal identity documents (specifically birth records) and all of a sudden I'm one of them. Empathy now! My visit to the SSA rated much higher than my recent visit to the DMV, probably because I chose a non-peak time to go in. I'm the 3rd in a small line just before 9 AM on a Friday morning. The first guy in line starts yanking on the door. d00d. That's not going to make them open up any faster! Promptly at 9 AM a security guard opens the door and the guy practically runs in. He grabs a number but the guy in front of me decides to bypass the number machine and go to the empty counter. I'm thinking "Whatever" and choose a service and get a number. Somehow, I'm the first number they call up. Mr. Door Yanker somehow didn't get a number and the guy who skipped the # line was kicked back. All told, I'm in and out of there in under 10 minutes. Sweet. read more

I came in around 11:20am to get a replacement card, my wait was maybe 10 minutes. It wasn't as dreadful as the reviews made it seem. However, I noticed there was a huge wait for all other non replacement card problems. read more

It only took about 30 minutes in and out; not bad for a government run facility! When I went in, it was a little disorienting because the building looks a lot bigger from the outside. It is divided in two and you come up a ramp in the middle. The security guard saw my bewildered face, asked me what I needed and directed me to the "number station." He was super friendly, he even told me to just come back at 2 when there is NO line. But, I had already paid for parking so I wasn't about to let the city make free parking money off of me! Speaking of parking- plenty of parking around the building! I just received my card in the mail (all in all it only took a week and a half)! read more

Good service!!! Security officer Martin is very helping and friendly. Staff knows what they are doing, you just have to be patient and trust them! read more

Had a perfectly smooth experience at this location - got a number as soon as we walked in at 9 am, waited less than 10 minutes, and then the lady at the counter processed the application very politely and within 10 mins, explaining next steps to us very clearly. Couldn't be more efficient for a government office. read more

Went in to get my name changed thinking it would be a nightmare experience. Not. Even. Close. I was in and out of there in 20 minutes (Friday morning around 9:30). Everyone there was friendly and nice. Great Experience! read more

I would say its a toss up of which is more busy the DMV or the SSA office. I arrived for a replacement SSN card at 1:15 and finally left at 2:32 read more

Called two times on wed Nov 12th at 11-12 one guy hung up on me because he was on speaker. The second guy got very rude and verbally agressive even saying that he will hang up on me, and not let anyone else talk to me. Then when I told him that he was on a recorded line he said that if he was on a recorded line then he will have to hang up. He stated all this when after I told him I recorded what he just said to me. Very rude and disrespectful. I cannot waiiit till I get to go inside. read more

I needed an income verification letter from SSA. I went to the office this morning expecting to be there for a long, long time, as I have in the past. It was unbelievably easy. I got there at 9:25 and left at 9:32! The woman who helped me wasn't particularly friendly, although I sensed that she might have been not feeling well, but she was extremely efficient. I am so tired of people bitching about the waste and inefficiency of government, when the private sector is glutted with greed and opportunism! Anyway, don't dread the SSA. read more

After reading all of the reviews, I was bracing myself for a bad experience, but I ended up having a great experience! I got there at 8:30am (there were about 15 people already in line in front of me) and security opened the doors at around 8:40, in which everyone could take a number and take a seat. Security guards were very helpful (although sassy to people who didn't listen to their instruction). My number was called shortly after 9:00am and they gentleman that helped me was extremely nice and informative. I was out by about 9:15! I'd tried going on my lunch break previously and the wait was 1.5 hours. I highly recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the office opening. read more

I would give fewer than one star if I could. After calling the Bellevue office to find out EXACTLY what I would need to bring in order to complete the task I need done, it was all for nothing. This is after waiting OVER 3+ hours with no chairs available. I was told that I could not, in fact, complete the transaction with the documents I was TOLD to bring. Sheesh. Our government at work! Not likely to get better any time soon with the drastic budget cuts that our illustrious government proposes. read more

I actually rate this zero stars because the interaction over the telephone was such an incredible waste of time. I am paid to assist an elderly couple to put their information together for their CPA. The husband has dementia and is a group home. The wife lives in a retirement home. There hasn't been a 1099 for the husband's Social Security benefits because his address hasn't been changed from when their house was sold three years ago. We were only trying to change the address so as to receive a 1099, the monthly payments going to their credit union account was to stay the same. The person on the phone was very unhelpful and wouldn't make the change requiring the elderly wife to physically go to a Social Security office which probably won't happen because she is elderly. I was trying to assist but she refused to take any information from me, even with the wife's permission. VERY UNHELPFUL and costly for this couple. read more

I was helped by Jennifer Miller twice. On both occasions, she was very efficient, professional, very helpful. I learned a lot from those two meetings. I was able to apply for my retirement on my first meeting. My check arrived in less than two weeks. The second time ( Sept 8, 2017) I applied for my Medicare B, I got a confirmation and everything is good, I am just waiting for my Medicare B card.I am really impressed and I would highly recommend this office. read more

Long wait times and the "officer" on duty was a little short with people. He really has that little man syndrome. The lady that helped me with getting a replacement social security card was fairly nice, but the mood had already been ruined. read more

This is one of the worst experiences of the federal system that one could have. One of the guards shouted at people to pay attention to their numbers saying that he wasn't there to do it for them. The place was hot and full of people waiting. The numbering system was so confusing (letters and numbers that were randomly called) that you had no idea of when, if ever, your number would be called. I waited an hour or more and finally left as my parking meter was running out and I had no clue when my number might be called. All I needed was to turn in some forms, but there was no way to do so without waiting in line. What a disgraceful "system"! read more

Avoid this office at all costs unless you like ridicule, waiting for over an hour to be helped, and enjoy being helped by people that are bitter at the world. My girlfriend went here to change her name and address. After waiting an hour to be helped, a lady in her 50's finally 'helped' her. The lady first incoherently mumbled 'where's your application'. My girlfriend asked what? So the lady yelled with sarcastic pauses "where's your application". My girlfriend informed her that she wasn't given one. So the worker let out a very loud, long, "i can't believe you're living" sigh. She did this about 10 times throughout the entire process (basically whenever she had to do something that required more than picking up a pen).. Finally at the end the lady mumbled "you'll get your card in 4 to 6 weeks". My girlfriend isn't a native English speaker and mixed with her mumbling, she thought she said 46 weeks. So asked, it almost takes a year to get? The lady laughed at her, then raised her voice and did her sarcastic voice "FOUR TO SIX". Then continued to type and laughed at her again saying to herself, "almost a year. haha". There are more very rude and unacceptable moments, but I'm sure you get the point. So drive 10 minutes (or 30) out of your way to go to a different office. Like the previous poster said, this is one notch below the DMV (Bothell DMV had a unbelievably rude worker). read more

Anyone with a complaint about this office: did you make an appointment first? if you do, you bypass all the lines. Just show up at the appointed time, sign in and be taken care of. I have had two appointments, two different employees on two different matters, and felt well taken care of. read more

I went there today and realized that they had moved to 2nd Ave long time ago. Don't waste your time assuming that they have two offices at the moment. read more

I had to get onto medicare quickly and the Seattle Lenora Street Social Security office fast tracked my application. I got signed up with a couple days to spare. So, 5 stars from me. read more

My review is concerning my benefits. Andrew Snyder--I have discovered--does not know how to add. He seems to think I made over 1040.00 that had my benefits cancelled I have sent my monthly earnings to Andrew numerous times giving him the corrected monthly earnings from my job and the HR dept from my job, but he insists that I my monthly earnings was over 1040.00. He had the nerve to keep sending me monthly checks and a payment adjustment without mailing or calling me to tell me I went over my over 1040 dollars for two months. This is not true. I now the Social Security tells me I owe over 8000 dollars! I have tried to talk to Mr. Snyder in person or over the phone but he will not return my calls. I have left several messages. I want to give this zero stars for not communicating with me, giving me wrong information, and being very rude to me when I went to the office calmly trying to talk to him. read more