Having to approach the SSA is nearly as dreaded as having to go to the DMV. Here's how I managed to have a 5-star experience at the Berkeley SSA office today:   1 - I did not have an appointment so I made the effort to arrive at the office front door 15 minutes before opening (8:45 am); 2- While you're waiting for the office to open, you'll see a flyer posted on the front door.  The flyer has a QR code for checking in.  Even without an appointment, I scanned the QR code, after which I was prompted with some questions (such as purpose of visit and etc). Once done, their system sent a new QR code to my phone (to be used once the doors open). 3- Once the doors opened, I approached the "check-in kiosk" inside (once you walk in, turn to your left and you'll see the kiosk).  The kiosk will prompt you to scan the QR code given to your phone (see #2 above). 4- Once the system scans your QR code, it will issue you a paper ticket with an appt number. 5- I took my ticket and found a seat.  By this time, the waiting room was about 1/3 full. 6- In less than 5 minutes later when my number was called, I approached the Window I was told to go to, sat down and received outstanding service, guidance, etc.  All my questions were answered very clearly and concisely .  In another 10 minutes I had everything I needed and left the building. I noticed that by this time (9:15), the waiting room was full.  It definitely pays to get there early! 7- remember to bring your gov't-issued ID, and some method for taking notes in case there are some followup steps you'll need to take. read more

Well, I had to return. A claim of mine was denied with a form letter that did not explain why. I wanted to know how to appeal. An hour later, I was seen my the guy that actually sent me the letter. Oh, now I get why. Okay. read more

The Social Security office provides an essential public service, and the staff demonstrate professionalism in handling complex and sensitive matters. The process requires patience, but the structure and order in place help ensure that requests are handled accurately and securely. I found the staff to be efficient and attentive, working steadily to move people through the process while still taking the time to answer questions clearly. Their effort to maintain organization in a busy environment was noticeable, and it helped create a sense that each case was being handled with care and responsibility. It's clear that the staff carry a significant workload, and their consistency and focus reflect a strong commitment to public service. Even under pressure, they maintained composure and professionalism, which made the experience more manageable. Overall, the office serves an important role in supporting the public, and the efficiency and effort demonstrated by the staff contribute meaningfully to providing reliable assistance. read more

The guy that I talked with today was rude, condescending, insensitive and clearly NOT interested in helping to answer questions about survivor benefits. I wish I had his name to call and report him.People like him get their sense of power by making others feel bad. It was an upsetting call ---which was supposed to be at 2:45 and he called me at 3:15---as if he was doing me a big favor. read more

I walked in around 9:45 on a Monday, picked a number and was serviced even before I got to sit and wait. The young gentlemen behind the counter was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and able to help me. I live in Europe, I get pension from both sides, I needed to get information on my status, and he provided it in the shortest time. The whole thing lasted 15 minutes tops. I highly recommend this office. read more

As of November 2024, the Social Security Offices are no longer taking walk-in appointments, and the wait time is several weeks. This is not a beneficial or efficient policy change. read more

I went to the Social Security office at 2045 Allston Way in Berkeley on 10/10/2024 to get a replacement Social Security card. I thought I would have to wait in line for a couple of hours because I hadn't made an appointment. But much to my surprise and delight, I was the only one there around 11:00 am! I took a ticket and was called to the service window within 30 seconds. The friendly attendant processed my request for a new card within a couple of minutes and handed me a sheet of paper that I could use (in combination with my driver's license) to prove my right to work at my new employer the following day. I told the attendant this was the best service I had ever received at a government agency. (If only the DMV was this efficient!) The only issue is that the sheet of paper I received did not have my social security number on it. My new employer still accepted it. But I still need to submit my actual social security card within two weeks, which I was told will be arriving in the mail within seven business days. So, make sure to confirm that the Social Security office has your current mailing address on file. read more

Berkeley's management needs some training in customer service. I had a telephone redetermination interview scheduled by the Berkeley office weeks ago. I cancelled an important appointment with my doctor and organized my day so I may be ready to take this telephone appointment with social security and no one ever called me. After waiting for over 2 hours around my phone I decide to call the office to see what happen. A rep answered my call and she verified that I did have an appointment but due to an employee called in sick that day the office was short staffed and there was no one to call me at my appointment time. Management should called me to let me know my redetermination interview will need to be rescheduled. Management should have the courtesy to call us when an appointment needs to be rescheduled. Although I am poor, disabled and elderly my time is still valuable. Very disrespectful and terrible organization stills on the office's management's part. Customer service training needed for the people running that office. read more

Quick and easy. Came here regarding my social security card. I arrived at 8:54am (they opened at 9am). The doors were already open and I was the 11th person in line. I was in and out in about 20 minutes. There is a little machine on the left hand side where you check in to get your number. When you are ready your number will be called over the speakers (there is also a monitor near the security guard post that shows who is being served. Pros: -restrooms available -friendly security guard in the morning -fast service -extremely close to the downtown Bart station Cons -n/a read more

Review #374 - 2018 I've been meaning to get my son's SSN card replaced since I have absolutely no idea where I'd misplaced it. We actually came by around 12:30 PM on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and found out that they actually close at noon on Wednesdays. Wish they'd actually updated their hours on Yelp so I didn't have to drive out here in the rain to find out in person. I came back on Thursday, December 6th around 1 PM, and I was #A437. There was a bunch of people there waiting ahead of me so I expected it to be a long wait. Unfortunately, I only had about 30 minutes to spare so I only paid to park for 30 minutes and was ready to leave if I wasn't called on by that time. There was no cell reception inside the building so I decided to walk out front for a few minutes to send some text messages & I guess my number was called, but I didn't hear it. Luckily, they called #A438 & I heard it from outside so I came back in to check if they had called my number and I heard, "last call for #A437". Thank goodness! I was actually in and out of the place in less than 30 minutes and still had 3 minutes left on my parking meter. I guess it's so much better than waiting at the DMV. read more

Social Security - Public Services & Government Near Me - Berkeley, California

I went 5 times or more last year since Nov.2024 for the same reason that I went there today for. I was maybe the 10th in line outside. Once in, a lady (Claudia) said on their PA system that we must have an appt if we are there for a social security service.(What else would we be there for?) I got my ticket from the booth and once called, I approached the lady, (CLAUDIA again) said "if you are here for a social security service that u must make an appointment, and this policy started this year,". REALLY?!!! I must've missed that memo. No one told me this in the last 5 times that i was here last year. she even stated, "if you were in line outside, you should've seen the notice." I was the tenth in line. their notice was not in front of me. The only way you can get a good look at the notice was if you were right in front of it. the reflections outside made it very difficult to see it from an angle. it looked like it was just taped from the inside window. not from the outside. They always give me a hard time on getting a copy of my social security card. they said I needed to get my green card updated, so I did and it took me 5 months to get a temp one. My i-94(temp green card)finally arrived in the mail yesterday after a long series of tag emailing to USCIS and phone calls. I have the proof that they have been asking for. They are always giving me the run around. The guy with the beard, started it first, my last 6 or seven visits last year I dealt with him. he would ask for documents that was already in my possession but would say, This is not valid. My court-ordered delayed registration of birth certificate (I was adopted by a US citizen when I was a minor) was not sufficient. Then he asked "you said you were not a citizen. To my knowledge, I am but I havent sworn in. FACT: anyone who possess a court-ordered delayed registration of birth (due to adoption) is a US citizen. you can only adopt a minor and only a us citizen can adopt. That makes me a US citizen., he denied my request throughout my 6-7 visits. Now Claudia is just continuing his legacy. They knew that my need for a copy of my ss card is time-sensitive. I probably lost my place in receiving the benefits that i needed this for. I explained it to claudia. she doesnt care. and your notioce outside does not specify which services are available without an appointment. it just says that SOME social security services must have an appointment for. They need to be to be more specific. time is not a luxury that i have in this matter. It was uneccesary for Claudia to just see me and say that i need an appointment for the service that im requesting. I cant stress the urgency of my request enough. Why do we need an appointment to get a copy of my social security card. I, now have the updated version of my temporary greencard. i was already in front of her with my i-94. I handed her the i-94 with my biometrics photo on it when she asked what my name was.. Why do we need to make an appointment if we are already there in front of her? Make your sign more visible by placing it on the outside of your door. you are wasting peoples time. This visit was my first time this year. They did not have any signs last year stating that you must have an appointment to be seen for obtaining a copy of your social security card. Each time I went to The SSA office in Berkeley I took time off work. They said the next available appt to see me is Feb. 26 2025. I really just feel that I was treated unfairly. especially since they know what I'm there for and I have the updated proof of status of residency. I give this office 3 negative stars. read more

They made an egregious mistake that ruined my credit, which I only found out about when I applied for a mortgage. After a huge effort on my part to get anyone to speak with me about it, they admitted they made the mistake, and then claimed they could not rectify it! I had to enlist the help of Barbara Lee's office to get this office to do what they were supposed to do: report their mistake to the credit reporting bureaus. It took months for them to clean it up. Then they tried to claim I owed them tens of thousands of dollars I did not owe them. Had to file an appeal, go to admin law court, and even after I won, this office failed to comply with the judge's order. Had to follow up with the appeals office to get anywhere. They sent me a letter that included a letter to someone else. To be clear, it had a letter to me inside, but it also included a letter to another individual, and included that person's SS#, DOB, address, etc. AND all that information for their spouse, as well. I kid you not. I called the office and the guy I spoke with acted like it was no big deal, initially asking if i threw it out. Yes, that was his question. When I said that would be a violation of federal law, and of course I did not, he asked me to drop it off at their office!! I found the person the letter was addressed to, and gave it to them, and I hope they filed a formal complaint. When I asked the "technical specialist" "Katie" (she refuses to provide last name) how they could have sent me someone else's info, she said she was working from home and when she sent the info to be printed in the office, the person who got it must have made the mistake. What's the takeaway? The SSA is giving their employees access to everyone's confidential information in the comfort and privacy of the employees' homes, making identity theft and mistakes even easier. Unbelievable. Most recently, I received a letter from SSA regarding health insurance. The Berkeley office reps, including Katie and Mr. Loza (assistant manager) told me I had to apply for coverage I already had. I expressed concern that was not the correct procedure (the letter was clear that my coverage would continue, I just needed to pay for it, but the reps were telling me I had to submit an application to obtain the coverage I already had). They assured me it was the right procedure. But of course, it was not. A week later I get a call from Mr. Loza telling me my application for coverage (which I had at the time I submitted the applications), was denied. He could not explain why. In fact, he had no idea how any of it worked, no idea about the rules involved. Nothing. Once again I have to enlist the help of the esteemed representative (and hopefully soon to be senatory) Barbara Lee. This office is a horrible, horrible joke. I can only imagine how many people end up homeless and without healthcare as a result of the misinformation, negligence, and total disregard from the employees at this office. read more

Not that anyone with authority will read this much less act on it, but... You need an appointment to get in. You need to talk to a rude guard at the door to figure out how to get one. You can't get an appointment online. You have to call the local office. The number is busy almost all the time. Kept trying for nearly an hour. Finally got through. Was left in the wait line with muzak for 20 minutes. Then the phone started ringing. I let it ring for half an hour before I gave up. read more

Basically it took 2 1/2 hours of waiting to turn in two forms. Would have completed it online except I was told by SSA service line it would be faster to complete my signup at an office. I did not get the immediate update on my status and the estimate was the same if I mailed it in. As for the office and service--slow and uncomfortable. read more

Rather efficient. So easy to miss as you're walking along Allston. Between the YMCA and Shattuck. Next to that cheesy named Lox stock and Bagel.... Touch screen for why u r there, and take the numbered receipt that spews out. There are about 20 chairs and no wifi. Meters surrounding the street range from 10,30 minutes, to 1 hr to 2 hr. I'd say an hour should suffice. Can always tell the bailiffy-looking man your name and come back after feeding the rip-off meter! PS Open from 09-15 read more

Went in to apply for a new social security card. Went on Monday morning, got there 5 minutes before opening and was one of the first people in line. I was done before 9:30. I can't speak for people with more complex issues but for a new SS card this was really quick and easy. Also the person helping me was very kind and professional, answered all my questions. read more

I went to the Berkeley Social Security Office just to turn in paper work. You can not even drop it off. You must take a number and get in line :-( When I got to the counter I just told the person I wanted to make sure the supervisor got it. Instead of saying just ok, she goes and rudely ask if I had talk to her and more. I told her I spoke to her last week . I have turned in paper with before that went 'missing' I hate to do crap like this twice. Make sure you get names etc and dates time . What a pain !!!! read more

I guess this location is OK. Why? Cause there isn't much else to compare it to. So.... The parking sucks, City of Berkeley killing your change slot. The security guard (that was there the day I went in, at least) is doing a little toooo much. He talked too loud, trying to be helpful (HELLO, PLEASE USE SELF SERVICE OVER HERE...PLEASE TURN CELL PHONES TO SILENT....HOW CAN I HELP YOU...SEE MY BIG GUN...?) Interestingly he didn't flinch a toenail to help a super-elderly gentleman that couldn't get his giddyup when called to go to the window for service. Other patrons had to help. Thankfully they have plenty of chairs in there, cause you're gonna wait "awhile", maybe not quite as bad as DMV though. Not the fun place to be, but when you've got social security business to handle, options are slim to none. Hey, there's a snack place next door. read more

Terrible service, I have been helping my mom for 3 months try to obtain her benefits from the Berkeley office, we had to even mail a document from the post office ACROSS THE STREET because they would not allow her to submit it to a person or even in the drop box located in their office? After completing all the steps and submitting four different forms of identification, we have now been waiting for over three months for anything. We call once a week and leave a message for Mr. Johnson and no one ever calls back. Its really terrible that they would treat a 79 year old woman this way. Honestly it's reprehensible she does not have a computer or a car and at the very least they could return her phone calls and let her know the status of her widowers claim. I hope Social Security will realize that these are people who just want access to services and be treated like human beings. read more

Expected a crazy wait and disgruntled workers but was surprised with the overall experience. I had to come here to change the name of my social security card after tying the knot. The security guard at the front door was kind and helped me out with the process: grab a numbered ticket, take a seat, and wait for your number to be called. Two windows were operating, and some people had more complicated issues to resolve. Mine was a simple process, and so once my number was called, I was done in less than 10 minutes. read more

Epitomized by the teller whining, "you're in a government office; you have to wait!" when I asked for an estimate of how long the process would take since I had an appointment coming up. The answer would have been 30 seconds more if she had just told me. Instead, she slowly whined about how she couldn't tell me what to do, while I unnecessarily messaged the next appointment to say I'd be late and ran out to unnecessarily feed the meter! Basically, what should have taken 2 minutes total took 2 hours! The worst parts are their attitudes and not having any clue how long it will take! TL;DR: block off your whole day and prepare to be whined at. read more

I spoke by phone with Katie at the Berkeley office about a complicated issue I had with my Medicare bill. She understood exactly what I meant and gave clear suggestions as to how to fix the problem. After I sent in the form she gave me, she solved the issue within a week. I was amazed that bureaucracy could operate so quickly. read more

I had to come by 3 different appointment and was always attended by the same white lady, she's has been always rude, she yells at you no matter what, how is she not fired has no one complaint? read more

I was dreading going into social security to apply for a duplicate card. I was in and out in a matter of 28 minutes thanks to Ms.Anixter. Wednesday I went in and a gentleman told me I needed my birth certificate. I came back today with it and Ms. Anixter said I did not need it. Ms. Anixter was nice, polite and professional. Thank you for great and speedy service today. (I only put 38 minutes on the meter because that was all the change I had..time to spare).Great Day at Social Security in Berkeley, Ca. read more

A pleasant surprise! Went there this morning to straighten out some Medicare issues that I couldn't online or on the telephone. Arrived at 9AM, the doors were open and people who had been waiting before me were seated with numbers or were in line at the waiting ticket machine. Very orderly process, the guard watching over the line to register was knowledgeable and friendly and helped me when the machine was slow in taking in my social security number on the touchscreen. He told me how I could make an appointment next time online or through the 800 number. Waited a pretty short time, maybe ten minutes, my number was called, the intake person gave me a form to fill out and went back to my chair to wait for my name to be called. This took a little longer but eventually Eric came from the back room to get me and we sat down at his cubicle. He was great - calm, explained everything well, personable, answered every question and I was done! Got what I needed changed, which I was very worried about, and I left. The whole experience took one hour exactly. Very efficient I thought, good service and a surprisingly good experience! read more

I would never have guessed that I'd be writing a review about a Social Security office, much less a positive review, but my experience with them was so good I needed to say something. I needed to get some social security cards for my family and the process couldn't have been easier. The office is quite small from the outside so you might miss it. Fortunately, there is a pay parking garage right by the office so its easy to park. I arrived about 20 minutes before the office opened to get in line. There were maybe a couple people ahead of me. In a move I couldn't believe, the security officer opened the office EARLY. They let us in a few minutes before the scheduled time. The gentlemen at the counter also started seeing us early. Their process was efficient and everyone there was very friendly. The office was also clean and fairly comfortable. If you need to go to a social security office, I'd highly recommend this one! read more

Friday morning. 8:40- Waited outside in the cool morning brisk air behind 10 people. 8:50- Another 15 people behind me. 8:59- Door opens, mister security man makes an announcement of how he'll check us in. We all get a number by our super nice and helpful security man and take a seat. Within 5 mins they check me in and ask me to wait again. Within 10 mins, I am seen by a really helpful rep as she takes care of helping me get replacement cards. It took her some time to process all the paper work (that and she was gossiping with a co-worker- great multi-tasker! hah!). I waited longer outside then I did inside. (Boo) I didnt know that replacement cards were at no charge! Weee!!! read more

Worst experience at a government agency... So you know it was bad! The countergirl said over an hour wait so have lunch you'll be okay. When I came back in less than hour I lost my place and it gets worse the window person told me to start over with a new number because it was unfair to people who waited. I said we'll its unfair because the young lady told me it was all right. I asked to speak to the manager she said I will get the manager when I am finished with customer I said ok. When the lady left she said, "I am the manager!" Very funny and unprofessional I asked for regional office number she wrote down the Berkeley number, the security guard was on his phone telling people not to use there cellphone just completely unprofessional. I am never going back read more

The people who work at the Social Security Office are strange. They act professionally towards you, but are annoyed by anything you do. Try to smile at them or start a conversation with them, and they will shut you down quickly. You won't get any friendliness and "home remedy ideas", like another user posted, that reads like a fake review. Try to start an application with the wrong person, and you might get wrong information because people are not trained well. For example, I tried to start Social Security with a person for my disabled son, and he told me I had to prove custody first. This turned out not to be correct, and represents the deeply held suspicion that the people there have for their clients. I left saying, "That's not what they told me last time". One time I went in and asked some simple questions, and they knocked five dollars off my benefit amount because they get very easily annoyed. It is like they constantly berate the clients that come in behind closed doors, and when they are at break. The five dollars knocked off my benefit amount is petty. I know that they deal with petty people all day, and that has visibly changed the office. They make the speaker system distorted so that everything seems more authoritarian, for example. The office used to be much better, and people could work with others at a desk. Then they changed the office so that the workers were behind plexiglas. They got some new workers who hate their job, because they have to deal with people whom they talk shit about later, then they come in the next day and have to deal with the same people. read more

The office was well-organized and my benefit application took less than an hour, including waiting. Granted, in mid-afternoon mid-week mid-summer, it was not busy, but, still, things went smoothly and the staff were responsive. I will say that the federal SSA website is not as user-friendly as it could be, and, worst, the 800 number is completely backed up -- half an hour wait for help with the website or a local appointment time, and a two-hour wait for applying for benefits by phone! I would suggest that the office have form drop-off slots and, for busy times, a local phone or local online appointment system, if the federal SSA will allow it. read more

AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL!!! I wish we could rate below 1 star. I went with mom; the person at window rudely said too late to see mom, come back another day. It was raining that day; it took us more than an hour in traffic to arrive, waited and this! I asked for a supervisor to explain why; but was told that he could not come. (When we left, he then showed up at the window to talk to his staff.) I guess it is Friday; staff want to go home so they would not work longer. It was 4pm; sorry, many of the working class are still working; well, not here. How about being candid that you don't want to work longer, just say so. Instead, they looked at my mom's letter, first told us we were wrong about the time. When we read out the letter which we were not wrong about the time. Then, they said, oh, we don't want to argue; it is too late today. I would not recommend coming here if your case requires more than simple transaction. They are slow, mean, incompetent, and mis-using authority. I wonder if they ever think where the social security funds are from; seems like the funds are from them and we are at their mercy to draw funds. What a sorry place. read more

I've been dreading getting my name changed so much I waited til my license is about to expire to finally get up and do it. I got here around 8:40 and there was about 4 people in line in front of me. I was like that's not so bad so I got a breakfast sandwich next door. It's now 845 and I'm going back in line the line, fortunately the line only grew 2 people. When the guard opened the doors the people started calling numbers right away after we got all checked in. I was seen at 910 and was out of there with a receipt by 915. Im kicking myself in the butt for not doing this sooner to avoid my husband getting on me about changing my last name for 2 years. Tips: 1. Go more towards the end of the month. Less crowded overall 2. Get there 15 mins early 3. Have all your docs filled out read more

We checked in using the touchscreen and the machine prints out a number. You sit down and wait for your number to be called. The wait wasn't long. All we wanted was for them to issue a proof of benefits letter. However this was during the government shutdown. When it was our turn, lady told us that they cannot give us the letter and to go online to do it instead. So you made us wait for all that and you can't even give us service? Why are you not putting up signs upfront? The visit was a waste of time. Tell me when I check in so I'm not wasting my time or yours! You even had a handout to give us directions on how to do it online! Why aren't you just giving it to me at the front door instead of having us wait. You are giving yourself more work when you are telling everyone the same thing over and over. read more

Had to come back here again! They messed up something in my file. This time I was here in the afternoon. There were hardly anyone here yet it took them an hour to get to me. Then I was called into the back where I sat for an hour just to hear that it was a mistake and I could go home. WTH?! I should mention that the waiting area was full of people talking to themselves this time too! EWW! read more

As others say, the security guard is very helpful so at least you sit down to wait with a positive attitude. My experience at this office trying to sort out a problem relating to requesting a social security number for a child has been extremely frustrating and has lasted almost 6 months. Aside from one particularly unpleasant young woman, all the employees have been willing to try to help, but they have all given me different information. I lost all trust in this particular office, however, when two days ago I was told that two notifications had been mailed when none were received. It was a silly, disappointing, run-of-the-mill lie to cover for dropping the ball on the case. There's lots more, but it's boring bureaucratic ineptitude stuff. If you have an unusual or complicated situation, I'd suggest going to another social security office simply because this one doesn't appear to have it's act together for anything more involved than regular straightforward transactions. read more

All I wanted to do was drop off a form and get a copy stamped as received. No conversation, no advice necessary--just DROP IT OFF. Nope, what a silly idea from a forgotten era. Take a ticket and wait--thought I was flashing back to the days of the Soviet Union for a sec. The security guard was nice and very apologetic, so he gets five stars, but this note is to rate the agency that is the creature of our tax dollars, not the security service. read more

Painless! I just got back from applying to change my name. While the waiting area was half full, I was only three people back in line when I entered due to people bringing family or friends with them to wait. (It would have been a bit longer wait had one of the customers completed his application beforehand but he didn't so he had to get back in line.) I got in around 1:36 and was at the window around 1:51. I barely had time to read my book. Now let's see if in 2 weeks my card arrives with the correct info. read more

This place wasn't half as bad as I was expecting from the reviews here. I arrived in mid-afternoon, when the place was pretty crowded. Wait times were long but not excessive, and all the workers I encountered were friendly and helpful. The physical setting has a depressing, grey "soviet" quality, but other than that the experience wasn't too bad. read more

I recently twice visited the SS office in Berkeley to apply for Medicare benefits. Having already spent endless time dealing CA EDD this summer, I now expect the worse from any public agency/ One walks in, uses a kepad to get a ticket, sits down, waits to be called. So far, so good. In less than 10 minutes, I heard my number being called. I could tell the general direction in which the voice was coming, but couldn't see anyone. There are 3 receptionist who call numbers, sitting in setups similar to a bank teller. However, between each receiptionist, there is a large, 3 meter or so high, panel. Imagine a public restroom for men, with panels separating ea other for privacy. Same deal, except the panels at SS are huge. Well, from the area where one sits & waits to be called, only one person is visible, so when you hear your number called....and it's not from the one visible person....it's initially a little disorienting. So, in a matter of seconds, I hear "Number 472, last call." And I said, loudnly, "I hear you, but I don't see you"! Anyway, I got to the window & encountered a very impolite, unfriendly person who, by look & manner, seem to be implying that my reasons for coming were invalid, but I was told to take a seat & wait to be called by a benefits counselor. In the meantime, I saw this scenario repeated with a few other clients. Numbers called & not being able to see who was doing the calling, getting the "last call" threats. Who could of devised such an incredibly moronic system? And what would be the experienced of a hearing or sight impaired person?! On my 2nd visit, I was fortunate that from where I was sitting, I could see the "caller." He was surly, impolite, argumentative. I ended up walking out. I am writing SS Admin (from whom I doubt I will hear), but also my U. S. senators & U.S. congressional representatives about this. We shouldn't be treated like this. I urge everyone whose experience has been like mine to do the same. (This addendum on 8/21/2010) Yes, I agree with a couple of comments that I shouldn't have rather 4 starts. I must have been so angry that I forgot to explain that the 4 stars were indicative of the service one gets when one finally gets beyond the nasty, mean, belligerent, impolite, hostile, sem-literate pitbulls who sit at several reception windows. I've spoken w/two benefits counselors (2009, 2010), the 1st to get my medicare part B set up....the second, at the beginning of this year, to get my SS pension started. Both were remarkable sharp, articulate, efficent, friendly, & the promised results were spot on & timely. So, what I meant to say in my initially confusing review was that everything is great after you get the past gargoyles in the front. Good luck! read more

EVERY MONTH these incompetent workers change my benefits - lowering it each time, of course - although the information remains the same! They do a series of math problems to justify it and when you protest, they ignore you unless you send a registered letter, then they phone and try to explain their actions by talking constantly,,. worst government agency I have every encountered!!! read more