i got married a few weeks ago and made an appointment to change my last name with social security. i had the quickest and most easiest experiences ever as i have never been to the social security office. heck, i didn't even know we had not just one but two locations here in grand rapids! i was able to easily set up an appointment online and got texts and emails confirming/reminding me of my appointment. when i got there i was able to check in on my phone and got a text when it was my turn. literally was in and out of there in 5 minutes! loved how quick they got me in and out and how friendly the clerk was. this process was a lot less intimidating than i assumed it would be and hopefully my next experience here is just as pleasant. i also love how this location is close to the movies, shopping, and food so once you're done taking care of business you can go about your day right away! read more

The grand rapids office sucks. I've been approved since February and have not gotten a dime. Get told conflict information. Every time I call I get some excuses, short staffed or some one on vacation etc. A monkey could do better than the worker on my case. It's been almost 6 months. Is it going to be a year before I get anything. This is ridiculous. Maybe the worker should be fired. Her name Mrs Welch. Grand rapids mi. No ratings do better. read more

Went in on a Tuesday after a holiday weekend around 215pm. I had filled out information online prior to change my last name. There were quite a few people in the waiting room so I thought it would take forever without an appointment. There are 2 ways to sign in- a QR code or a touch screen computer. You can watch your number on one of the TV screens. They typically call number but sometimes it was by name. There are 2 halls and 1 main area that you could go to- signs are on the walls to help. I was called at 240pm. The gentleman that helped me (Desk B) was quick and I left within 5 minutes. read more

stupid fax number says No Answer every time i try sending it to the fax number they gave me for the kent county ssi department wich was 1-833-902-2660, this is very frustrating because yu are not able to submit any of the many forms needed for disability to get approved. Given that we can create an account online we should be able to subit documents and see what they have or have not recieved and or what they still require from people trying to get disability who are actually on strong pain meds every day to have to rely on the broken fax number and the old crappy website or even worse snail mail / hand delivery I feel strongly that this is extremely discouriging especially when having to be sick and trying to ensure what they have or dont have, I mean the stupid website is so outdated that it wont even allow people to view their past applications in order for patients to get back pay from the begining of the first time they applied they need proof of that application, their decision in regards to the application and proof that your suffering from the same illness that gets you approved three years after the first time you sumbit your initial application well come to find out back pay is only given for the time of the application that got approved that applications dateand unless you keep proof of the applications you submited prior to getting approved they wont give you mre than a year of back pay without proof of prior apps and proof of you medical conditions start date. FYI SSI System is extremly hard to gain approval and takes way longer than it is now which is at least 200 + days of the second or third time you try to apply. Also bewareof lawfirms tricking you into giving them 15% -25% of your first back payment check they try to say 90% of applicants will not be approved without a law firm representing them and even then they are still denied and typically have to go to trial before they get approved. Im not sure I believe them they did nothing to help me actually get approved although about 200 days after the third application i submitted i got approved finally and luckly dont have to file an appeal althoughit still takes 30-60 days after getting approved to recieve compensation and they take the lawfirms 15-25% of your back pay before they give it to you. This should count as extortion they get you to sign a legal contract submit representation and that is all some lawfirms do mine couldnt even send them a fax document, I plan to go over their contract they talked me into signing andinquire an itemized breakdown of the work they did for my case and then im going tosubmit a motion claiming they did not do anything they said they would help me with and scared me into possibly getting denied again before I signed their stupid contract. WArning dont sign anything! read more

If you have to go to Social Security, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making an appointment online and filling out the application online. I went on a Wednesday morning and scheduled an appointment for 10:10 to change my last name. I arrived at 10:00 and it was packed. I was called at 10:07 and was out by 10:15! Making an appointment online will save you so much time. read more

Your tax dollars at work right here. Not. This place is packed we've all been sitting here patiently waiting. I personally have been here over 2 hours. They have one window operating. They could care less. REALLY ??????? What a joke. read more

Social Security - Public Services & Government Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Think "DMV" except way worse. You can't call up and make an appointment. NO possibility of talking with a live person if you call. Ever. Forget it. You have to show up, take a number and wait. And wait. And wait. And the person taking care of you can only handle the most basic of tasks. Most anything beyond that is above their pay grade. If you call the national number, set aside a full morning, since most if it will be spent listenging to elevator music, and the people are about the same level. They made a simple mistake on my payment. I ended up doing an on-line 'appeal'. It was the most efficient way to get the issue solved. If your issue can be solved that way, go for it and save yourself some time and headaches. read more

I did need to wait. You can make an appointment, but I chose not to. The gentleman who helped me was wonderful and got what I need done in a matter of minutes. I believe his name was Chris. Thank you people for the work you do! read more

What an awful place. Be prepared to wait here all day or possibly not even be able to meet with anyone. Even if you make an appointment all I gotta say is good luck be even with an appointment you will be waiting all day. read more

Really not that bad for a social security office. Obviously it's a government facility so it won't be the most efficient or organized process so just manage your expectations. I was there on a pretty busy weekday and out of there in about an hour though. Staff was friendly and helpful too. read more