I needed to go to the SSA to 1. Correct my middle name (I have a two part middle name, and the order apparently had been wrong my entire life), and 2. Request a replacement card. First, I encountered the metal detectors coming in. It only took a minute and the security guards were super friendly. Check in time at the SSA on the third floor was 9:31am. My attendant was super friendly, helpful, and efficient. Check out time? 10:05am. Amazing for a government office! I would recommend going early (esp before the lunch rush). I think later in the week usually fairs better too (I went on Thursday). read more

Went to the office around 1:30, Waited 2 hours to get a replacement social security card. As the afternoon went on, service sped up as more people started working (they opened more windows with service people). This was very interesting to me that more workers appeared closer to 3 pm... when they close at 4. If I were to go again, I'd go really early or at 3:50. The security guard told me if you check in before they close they have to serve you. read more

Actually not as bad as I thought. I came in to change my name and had filled out the PDF form before coming (look online at website, you may be able to cut down your wait time or even avoid coming in at all depending on what you need). I waited maybe 30 minutes after going through security. read more

Terrible office. I came with all the proper identification to get a replacement social security card (my wallet was stolen, as was my passport) and I had to use the "secondary evidence" on the list of acceptable secondary insurance....a work ID (with paystubs) and a marriage certificate. At the same time as getting a replacement card, I figured I would get my name changed to my new married name. Apparently that just blew the guys head and he said I couldn't use the work ID (without giving me a reason other than it looked funny) and couldn't use the marriage certificate for both changing my name and getting a replacement card. "Ok, fine," I said, "I'll just get a replacement card and not change my name"....his response was just "no". When I pointed to his list of acceptable documents for a replacement card (including marriage certificates with your birth date so long as your certificate still shows your legal name) and then pointed to my marriage certificate (which stated my still legal name and birth date) he just said it wasn't going to be good enough and to go away. He seemed convinced that once a woman gets married her name automatically becomes her husband's name. Oh, and try to ask for a supervisor after your fiasco...first he flat out refused to let me speak to her and then when I insisted she was "in a meeting and couldn't talk to me". read more

Just don't come here, they don't want you here either! Before you even get through the metal detectors, they will probably hand you a list of other offices to chose from instead. Stood in line for half an hour to get a number and never even made it. Once you got a number, it was an extra 1.5 hour wait. Just terrible. read more

The SSA Office in the Loop is a place filled with incompetent individuals (save this one Indian guy who is courteous and highly competent). They have no sense of professionalism and are the epitome of a ill-functioning bureaucracy. They are rude, slow and simply incompetent. While there are many public administrative offices that need to be revamped, the SSa is certainly atop the list. If there is nothing that can be done about their speed and responsiveness, they could at least try to maintain a semblance of professionalism or public service. If not that, then at the very least, the staff there should take a a basic manner or decorum course read more

I needed a replacement SSN card so I arrived at 3pm on a Thursday afternoon. I was about 15-20 tickets out in line, so not horrendous. I brought with me a passport (expired), drivers license (expired within 5 days), birth certificate, as well as work badges with photo ID. In reading through the form, I noticed that proofs must be "valid" (e.g. Non expired) . A security guard confirmed that my documents would not be accepted. However, I could use a "medical record" or insurance card - neither of which have a photo to actually prove I'm me!!!!! This seems so shady on so many levels. Of course I did not have either of those items with me so now I will have to make another trip if I care about having a new SSN physical card (really not sure I do anymore). This is completely on me, I am more just criticizing their process. Do your research! read more

I came in to change my last name and request an updated Social security card. Definitely had all of the right forms filled out and researched everything I needed online. These other reviews are right on. The wait is horrendous. I started wishing that I had waited to fill out my forms until after I pulled a number so that I'd have something to do, but who knows, maybe that's where the problem originated from. Anyhow, once my number was called, I took only about 5 minutes at the window. I'm not sure what business everyone else there had, but it seemed like they took a long time. I got tired of reading all the boring posters after a while. I think I waited about an hour which is nightmare-ish when you've got absolutely nothing to do except read those dang posters. On a side note, the chairs aren't very comfortable. read more

You know what? I did not see at all a single person who did not have all their paperwork ready. (I am telling you because I was one of the first to get there, and I waited for two hours in which I witnessed it all). During this period of time, I was barely able to (hopefully) break the code of the "number system" the machine gives you when you walk in. The people who only have a number: i.e. 24 are the people with the problems that take the longest to solve (spoiler: they go first). then the numbers after a letter i.e. A553, D672, and E508, decrease in level of difficulty to resolve. I was one of the lucky folks with the "E" number. Why does this system suck? let me count the ways: it would make sense if the number of windows was divided among the number of categories, but no. It is random. What that means is that while the first number category and the A category move relatively quickly, the D and especially the "E" move at snail pace. So, what these means is that people like me, who came early in the morning to take care of something that normally would not take more than 20 minutes to sit through and solve, stay for 2+ hours, while the people who came prepared to wait for a while because of the complexity of their situation... go relatively quick. ... Ah! and don't let me get started on the incompetence and unpleasantness of some of the workers there. I am not complaining particularly about mine, but I did sit in front of the windows of two women who did nothing most of the time other than eat and eat and chat. Between costumers it would take them about 10 minutes to pick up the PA and call the next number because they were too busy talking. I am glad I took care of what I had to take care of and hope not to be there any time soon. read more

Be prepared to WAIT. I needed to change my name, so this was my first stop. I arrived and there were roughly 30 people already waiting. I signed in and was assigned a number- after waiting for an hour my number was called. Once I was seated with the agent, it only took about 5 minutes to get everything done. read more

Yeah... dont go here. At all costs if you can just do your stuff thru the mail. I sat for an hour while 2 people were called back. 2 people in an hour?! Forget that. read more

One star is an exaggeration Requested my missing Form 1099 on 2/6/15 and three more separate times! Still no 1099!

Waited 56 minutes to get replacement as card. Was pretty busy. For the city, I thought 56 min wasn't too bad. Lady that helped me was nice. Overall decent experience read more

I arrived at 8:45am on a Thursday morning to change my name after having recently gotten married. There was a line of about 15 or so people in front of me waiting for the office to open. I took my number and had a seat. The office only opened 2 windows for the first 20 minutes of being open. When my name was called about an hour after I had arrived, it only took about 2 minutes to actually complete the process. The clerk was rather unpleasant and didn't even bother to check my ID. I am changing an official, legal document and you can't even bother to verify that I am who I say I am? In addition, she was unhelpful when I asked a question about the name change process and seemed rather annoyed that I had bothered to interrupt her morning. That being said, I was able to complete the transaction. read more

I needed a replacement social security card. I arrived at the office at 3:40p this afternoon (12/30). There were a handful of people waiting. The system for obtaining a ticket number was straightforward. I don't see why the somewhat cryptic numbering system is such a problem for so many reviewers -- it is what it is. I spent under 12 minutes in the office split between waiting for an attendant and submitting, reviewing and signing my application for a replacement card with the attendant. She was pleasant, and joked with my six year-old son. I can't imagine the service being any better. read more

got in early, about 10 mins before 9, was called to the window less than 5 mins after I got my ticket, and was done and out in less than 15 mins overall. Just make sure you take in all the required paperwork and docs. The lady at the window was extremely pleasant and sweet, too. I was dreading this having read all the rotten reviews, but I had a very pleasant experience. Much better than some service providers who make far more money than these employees I am sure. read more

I'm only giving it 2 because the guy who helped me with my name change was SUPER friendly and helpful. Waiting TWO HOURS before he called me up, I thought I was going to lose it. Good lord. read more

This was a perfectly ok experience and the people working there are not nearly as rude or stupid as those at the DMV /Secretary of State. Showed up at around 10:30 on a Wednesday to apply for a replacement SS card. I lost mine a long time ago but it turns out that Illinois ONLY accepts an actual SS card in order to get a driver's license. In California, you just need your number and they are able (through the magic of technology) to confirm it with the SSA. Not so, IL. Honestly, IL sucks in terms of registering a car, getting license plates or your driver's license. On top of being a Kafkaesque nightmare, the employees are all incredibly rude. But this is about the SSA experience...So, you walk up to a computer, press a button and get a number. Then, you sit and wait for that number to be called. It was quiet and peaceful and the numbers kept getting called. The person I dealt with was super nice and even printed me out a verification form of SS# for the DMV (because for some reason, a SS card takes up to 14 days to be mailed to you!!), but I might be chicken to try it. I'm not afraid of those DMV jerks but I don't want to waste time trying to reason with such unreasonable people. With everything being done technologically now, I really don't understand why I need to have a piece of paper printed out with SS# on it. Even jobs just look at your passport anymore. Whatever. FYI-- the SSA will begin closing at noon on Wednesdays after a certain date. Don't remember what that date is, though. Anyway, the entire experience took about 30 minutes which I don't find that unreasonable. Word to the wise: Download the application and fill it out before you arrive! read more

I must have picked a good time to go (Fri at 9:30am) because there were only a handful of people waiting before me. By the time I finished my application to change my last name, my number was called. From there the process took about 5 minutes, and the person who helped me was as friendly as could be. If possible, definitely go first thing in the morning rather lunch time. Sounds like lunch time is a zoo. read more

All you have to do is get there when they open. I was there 10 minutes before opening at 9:00 and was out by 9:05. I did a name change and the women who took care of me was very nice and pleasant. I heard the horror stories of how long people had to wait so I just adjusted accordingly. read more

I've been here twice in the past year and the employees here are extremely helpful and friendly. Of course you may get a long wait, but if you expect it, it's no biggie. Went on a Tuesday at 9:30am and only waited 10 minutes, just gotta hit it at the right time! read more

I also was dreading my visit to the Social Security office based on other reviews. I needed to get in to change my name. I was EXTREMELY happy with my visit! I arrived a little after 9 am on a Thursday morning - got through security with no wait, got to the 3rd floor via the escalators, and checked myself in with the self-check in kiosks. There were only 4 numbers ahead of mine and that was about 9:15 am. My number was called within 5 minutes and I took maybe 5 minutes at the counter. The staff was very friendly and the process was painless. Be sure to have all your identification/forms/etc. as that will definitely expedite your visit! read more

Don't even try going here unless you want to wait for 40 unprepared people to go before you. If you are reading this review, you are probably capable of actually researching what you need on the internet before you go. I cannot believe how clueless some people are. The Social Security office needs to have people helping out these individuals so that by the time it is their turn, they are ready and not wasting other, more prepared individuals' time. People just walk in, and don't have a clue what forms they need, the security guards are the only ones in the waiting area and they don't care. There needs to be more organization, or better instructions for walk-ins. One lady walked up to the counter without even her purse, she then slowly walked back to her chair to get her ID from her purse, and she also hadn't even filled out her forms. I know this is not entirely the office's fault, there are a lot of stupid people out there, but what I am saying is that they need people there to help these morons so the rest of us can get through in less than 2 hours. There is no consistency in the numbering system either, it is all a toss up, there are like 4 different categories of numbers, apparently, the people who have the simplest tasks have to wait the longest. Also, if you know that the majority of people come in on their lunch breaks, why would you close half of you window? They need to be better staffed to accommodate the volume of people coming in at this time. My suggestion is to go to another location, and go early in the morning. 77 West Jackson is a nightmare. Trying to fit this into your lunch hour is a waste of time, twice now; I have walked out after realizing I still had over 30 people to wait for. read more