Oof! What a terrible experience. I had my hopes up when I read that many who come here have a good experience. My interaction was the complete opposite. The good: Location is easy to find, parking is robust, the security guard at the door was very polite, and the instructions are easy to follow. So two stars for those points. Here's where things went wrong... I needed some help to confirm that I was completing a document correctly. It's something somewhat time-sensitive, SSA is slow to review and take action, and I wanted to avoid any mistake that would require having to start the process over and delay the outcome. It was something that a phone call to SSA could not accomplish. I came armed with all of my documents, completed and nicely organized. I wanted to make this stressful visit as easy for everyone as possible. I had an appointment. Checked-in and arrived early. I was called as soon as they began operations. Great! Knowing these folks probably deal with a multitude of frustrations, I was sure to be as pleasant as I could possibly be. I explained my purpose. I was met with the Nurse Ratched of the SSA office - cold, rude, sharp, condescending... And minimally helpful. If she wasn't so busy making this the most unpleasant experience ever it would have taken a fraction of the time. In the end I got what I came for but not without a heavy dose of horrible attitude. I feel sorry for the folks who need to be "helped" by her who present her with a more challenging experience. I clearly lost the SSA office customer service lottery this day. read more

This is an awesome place! Great employees and excellent Service. I appreciate you all and the Guard was very helpful and a great person! No lines on Monday 3:00PM. BEST time to go! Jim H. read more

Abandon all hope ye who enter here. Seriously. I was unable to get an appointment online so I had to go in person. I took a number and waited 30 minutes. I was helped and told I needed an appointment. I then had to make an appointment for a future date when im right there in person. All i needed was a replacement card. They refused. So basically, you need an appointment just to make an appointment. read more

As I was unable to get appts online I must say that the two times 2x's I visited in-person at the Cottle Rd location, I was assisted professionally and courteously both times. This was without an appt and called up to the counter within 30 minutes. So cool! Note that I was prepared and had all my documents in order and on hand . The staff was professional and couteously...one actually had a slight sense of humor (not overdone). In this day and age seems we're all rushed to get things done, including me. If I'm stressed to begin with and a situation "takes on a life of it's own;" I've found that 99.9% of the time I take a couple of deep breaths and relax. People who work in the customer service industry put up with a lot of garbage and as they are human, sometimes they too can get stressed and over worked. I'm certain that it takes a toll on the employee when someone across the counter is yelling at you/us. They're taught to remain in check and continue. Occasionally this does not work. It's possibly the 110th time they've encountered a customer with the same issue as yours...and although you are innocent, you don't deserve to be treated rudely, understandably. The employee may be having work/personal issues. You're not at fault. Again human kindness is great when it's offered at times like these. What I do, is look the individual in the eye and say "breath, you're probably having a hard day. I know how that goes. Again, breathe deep. Go get a drink of water. I'll be right here when you get back." It doesn't always work, but knowingly, you tried... ...and it's heartwarming when it does work; as you've helped someone with kindness. Remember that!!! Take care & blessings to all. read more

The social security office is the epitome of government failure for patrons in need of services only they can provide. They wonderfully illustrate a lack in efficiency, innovation and customer service. If you need an appointment, expect to wait months for the next available date. If you arrive while informing them you have no appointment, they'll give you a number, have you sit and wait for over an hour, only to tell you once your number is called that they require an appointment to assist you. Another prime example of an area that needs to be completely overhauled. read more

They are very polite the office is always clean and they people that work there they are so polite service is fair I would recommend that office again read more

I truly wish there was an option for zero stars. My experience at this office today was horrible. The female security guard was rude, mean, uninformed, and made me fear for my safety. She is a severe liability. I have a disease that causes a variety of symptoms. I have used a task-trained service dog for years to help mitigate these challenges. Service dog handlers get used to pushback about access rights, distractions, and unsolicited pets. I have never experienced the kind of blatant discrimination as I did today. My dog was wearing a vest that said "Working K9- Medical Alert". The security guard stopped us and asked one of the two legal questions, "Is that a service dog?". I answered yes, and thanked her for asking. (The service dog community has been assaulted by the recent trend of faking service dogs. We know the two questions that are legally able to be asked and are grateful for the vetting.) She didn't ask the second question, "What tasks is it trained to perform?', but his vest indicated that he alerts to medical episodes. The security guard then said something strange. "Well the vest says K9 and that's different from a service dog." I politely told her that all working dogs are classified as K9s, including service dogs. She rudely insisted that a K9 is different. I just took my number and sat down. About 20 minutes later, my dog sensed a heartrate spike, and he alerted me as he is trained to do. (He puts his paws on my knees.) The security guard walked over until she was about 6 feet away, and loudly asked again if he's a service dog. I was honestly confused and again I confirmed that he is. This is when things got bad. She started yelling at me, accusing me of making up a fake alert to cover for my dog "jumping and causing a ruckus". I was shocked. She then went back to the K9 thing, and told me I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm faking being sick, and she's trained to deal with people like me. She told me that I looked stupid in front of all the other customers. She refused to give me her supervisor's info, and proceeded to make a loud personal phone call where she mocked me. As a trans woman, she should know better than to discriminate against someone for being different. She needs a job where she doesn't interact with the public and doesn't carry a gun. read more

Don't come here without an appointment. Literally the most insufferable place on earth. Come 1 hour early and maybe you are 5th in line. I'm convinced people camp out over night. They do accept service animals however, so that's a plus. read more

Once again the cottle road social security office drops the ball and created another blunder depriving a recipient, me with a timely payment. I have not had any benefit payments thus year . And according to the policy I won't receive mays payment until that month of June. I have visited this field office 10 times pleading with the staff t For my benefit payments. And I walk away every time with out any positive results. This has to be the worst field office in the entire system leaving the elderly indigent and with there lifeline for survival. I have had no income for 3 straight months due to the social security appointment policy. Waiting a full 1and half months for an appointment. Completely ridiculous lie after lie by social security staff changing the rules from day to day. read more

I was pleasantly surprised that the wait for an agent was under 10 minutes, my questions were answered, information was updated and the followup promised by mail. I expected to have to go in and present a ton of paperwork, but it looks like it should be pretty easy to finalize. read more

Spent 4 hours to call social security to make an appointment, I did not successfully. Either wait wait long long time when social security line got pick up , then even before the conversation it got hang up right the way, this happened at least 3 times. read more

Stay away from this place. We were at the front and saw a sign to make an appointment and scan the QR code. But then later the process, the website crash and kept saying "unavailable" we refresh the page and kept re trying. But in the end, can't make an appointment online. So we went in person. Did the kiosk machine and waited. Customer service is horrible and you need to make an appointment before coming in. Wasted a whole 2 hours waiting for nothing. What's the point of the appointment system when you can't even sign up for one??? This place needs to be review and a one star. read more

Sometimes they have long lines and waiting they need more people to help fill the windows for better service . not the fault of the workers... read more

I'd there was a lower rating I would add it. This field office is the worst in ssn jose. They don't help people here.just stall the process, aby process. read more

The staff were nice, just need to wait longer because they have a lot of client. They need more staff .

The Agent ask me to bring a copy of a check I received about a year ago, I had a seizure, I couldn't work for a month, took me a month to get a copy of the check , she calls me and I make appointment for the next day , get the there she calls my name , I show her the check , she tells me that not enough, she now needs a copy of the break down of the check .. read more

I went to the Cottle Rd social security office on Friday August 30th 2024 at 8:45am, they open at 9:00am. After NO HELP on the phone, cannot go online, just go down in person they will fix everything. Waited over an hour, called to window 4, only 2 windows were open. The bilingual man gave me a reset number so I could go online, He SAID he ordered me a Social Security debit card. Went home tried to use the reset number SS man gave me, the card read EXPIRED, would not work!!!!!!!! It's been 11 days no social security debit card, everything is overdue, car insurance, life insurance, just BILLS ECT Wells Fargo shut down my accounts, where is my CHECK??????? Mr. Window number 4 Did You Get My Check. Does not matter everything is done, everything is gone, there is nothing left. No car nothing. read more

I had lost my daughters ss card and applied online but I still had to show documents in person. I came here at 9AM and was waiting in line to get a number. An employee came out asking if anyone was there for social security card documents and spotted me with my papers. She quickly asked me what I have and she copied them and said she will process them. I would have had to wait over an hour but I was done in 5 min!!!! I am so grateful for her. read more

Office is closed. Isn't stated anywhere on their website or even clearly on the door. Things need to be updated and more clear. The phone number it says to call for help on their door after five minutes on hold it hangs up. Waste of time. Terrible service. But then again I shouldn't be surprised. It's social security... Just feel bad for those who aren't tech savvy and won't get the help they need till everything reopens. :( read more

Social Security - No one inside building. Lights off. Says they're taking appointments but aren't. Parking lot empty. - Public Services & Government Near Me - San Jose, California

They have 17 windows in which they choose to have one open to help customers at a time. It takes all day to get anything done especially when you just need to get a social security card. It is really crazy that they think we have all day to be sitting here read more

If I could give negative star I'd already have done!!! Parents and I had been waiting for 2 hours this morning t to have some credit correction. And after I handed the tax filing form to a lady called Nguyen . she was so seriously asking if my patents were owning tax or got refund. I didn't understand the question first. Then she showed impatience attitude said"apparently you don't know what you are doing here!". She said she saw they owed tax and said"you don't have the proof here, so I can not help". I said which form that I need? She then said "I don't know, you need to contact IRS, I don't work there so I don't know!!". WTF???!! She has no help altitude and her altitude was the worst regards to bad customer service!! If you got to talk to Nguyen, that means you are in bad luck, she is not going to help you, but just to turn you away after few hours waiting in the office. read more

It was easy and very friendly. I thought it was going to drag or I was going to run into rude people, but instead it was the total opposite.

Extremely POOR PERFORMANCE in handling my application ***** In their records, Social Security Admin had the wrong birth date for me which triggered early Medicare eligibility and earlier than justified Medicare invoicing. On Dec 19, 2022 (6.5 months ago!), I submitted my application, together with all the necessary identification docs, to this office, in person, to correct my birth date in their systems which, downstream, would update Medicare's records, and would then stop Medicare invoicing until year 2024 when I will be truly eligible for Medicare. Last Friday (6/30/23), I visited this office for the 3rd time since Dec 2022 to inquire about the status of my birth date record update application. I talked with Larry at the window, who said he had to defer to his management for review and action. He, there and then, went to their back-office, talked with his manager (Jennifer I.), came back to the window, took down my phone # and email address, and rested me assured that Jennifer I. (office manager) would call me on that day to discuss my case. I am yet to receive a call from Jennifer! Three days later, I just left Jennifer a voicemail, and will have to wait at their mercy to contact me and hopefully correct this horrible "wait forever" situation. read more

Very mixed service. I got different answers from different employees. Also, I was effectively blamed for paperwork sent via FedEx to the Baltimore processing center going missing. One employee said, "They lose stuff all the time...Why did you mail it there?...Why are you including our letters to you in this packet?" (I was trying to be considerate and save them from having to search for the letters.) My lawyer even warned me about their poor reputation. In general the social security system is hamstrung by woefully out of date computer systems, doing everything on paper, and being underfunded and understaffed. read more

Definitely quicker than I thought. Got there at 8:30am and I was the 3rd person in line. 9am they opened. Checked in by 9:05am with my number. My number was then called by 9:10am to get my request to get a replacement social security card for my daughter processed. Have all your documents to make life easier. I was out by 9:15am and the card will be mailed to me within 2wks. read more

The first thing you do upon entering is to check in with the kiosk to the right. If you don't have an appointment, the only option is to select "Other Business". After you have gone through with the steps, you will be given a slip with a letter followed by three digit. Then you wait in the waiting area until they call your number. There is a TV in the middle of the room that shows the numbers that the windows are servicing. Unfortunately, the numbers don't run in order so it's hard to predict where you are in the queue (maybe this prevents people from giving up since if you feel that you are close, you are more inclined to wait?) The signage was very clear and the waiting room was brightly lit. The calling of the numbers was also loud and clear. Lots of props! It's a huge contrast compared to the Santa Teresa DMV which I am sure if people often try to hit both in one run. I recommend coming early. There's bathroom to the right of the waiting area. You should bring your own publications to read or consider reading one of the SSA publications which are also to the right of the waiting area. The publication comes in Spanish as well as in English. If you are blind or have low vision the office can also help you. I started typing this review 30 minutes after I have started waiting on a Thursday afternoon. By the time of you reading this review, I may still be waiting... So consider making an appointment. read more

One month before turning 65, I decided to apply for Medicare at this social security office located on Cottle Rd. I brought all my necessary paperwork and needed documents thinking everything would run smoothly. Instead, my experience was a nightmare. After a two hour wait, my number was finally called. At first I was relieved knowing I was being helped by the office manager who had announced her position to the entire waiting room. I told her I was applying for Medicare Parts A & B. She said there is no need to apply for Part B. What she did NOT tell me is the penalty I will incur for applying for Part B at a later date. She then sat me at a computer two windows away from her window. After about 30 minutes of trying to "set up my account," I had to leave the computer and ask her for assistance. She became extremely impatient and told me to "go home and complete my account." So, after waiting for 2 1/2 hours, I left in total frustration. Now I understand why this office has such low ratings. read more

I went there to apply for Social Security Number. I looked up on Google that they have least people there an hour before closing. I arrived about half an hour before closing. I got my number and started waiting. I had about 6 people in front of me. They let people in until the very last minute and everybody who had a number was served which means that pass closing hour. I was the last person on that day and I it was 10 minutes pass closing time when they took me in front. They explained what they are doing and were sorry that it takes so long for them to type everything in. I think it took 15 minutes in total. I can't say a bad word. Everybody were very respectful to me, but I'm also humble my self. read more

When you enter the office, you'll see a self-service kiosk where you select 1 if you have questions about a social security card or a name change and 2 if you have any other question. After you select 1 or 2, a receipt prints with a number printed on it. Have a seat, and wait a few minutes for your number to be called. I've been here twice, and never waited for more than 5 minutes. The system is pretty good, and works efficiently. The customer service we received today and was good, and so I would be giving it 4 stars except for my previous experience, which knocks the rating down a notch. A couple of weeks ago, I came here with a question about my newborn daughter's social security card. The issue was that her name was cut off on the card - there was a missing letter, and I wanted to know if they had just run out of space when they printed the card or if they really had the name in their system incorrectly. The lady who helped me had a little bit of an attitude. The agent suggested that my daughter would end up shortening her name herself and that I should just do that for her right now. Ummm, I don't think parents need naming advice from social security agents. I tried to ask her if there were any implications for my daughter in the future if she had one letter missing from her middle name on her card, and although I asked several times in different ways, I don't think the agent really understood the question. read more

I needed a new Social Security card, so I did some searches online and found this Social Security office about 5 minutes from my house. I pulled into the building's parking lot at 2:15 pm on a Thursday afternoon. I was a little worried because the office closes at 3:00 pm and I heard that there could sometimes be a long wait. (In fact, there's a 1-Star review from earlier today that I had just finished reading.) Anyway, I checked in and got my number, sat down, and prepared for a long wait. In less than 5 minutes, my number was called. (They have an electronic board where your number id displayed, similar to the DMV or your Kaiser pharmacy). I approached the window, handed over my forms which had already been filled out, handed the woman behind the glass my Driver's License for identification purposes, and waited while she clicked away on her keyboard. By 2:29 pm, she handed me a "receipt" telling me what to expect, when I should receive my new card, and so on. Was the security guard friendly? Not especially. Did the woman behind the glass greet me with a smile and ask me how my day was going? Nope. But here's the thing. None of that matters. I was in and out in less than FIFTEEN minutes! That's what really matters to me and that's why I'm giving this office a 5-Star rating. read more

ATTITUDE problem. I stopped calling my case worker because she was getting annoyed with me (Sorry I'm not an SSI expert so I ask a lot of questions) So I call the people answering the main line, just as rude, I don't understand why government employees act like they hate their lives. Seriously get into another profession people. My daughter has speech impairment and mild hearing loss, so I thought the social security administration would be able to help us. I am a single mother, I work, I go to SJSU, and have been living on my own for years, I might just say screw SSI and stop taking the dam payments just because this office is so freaking rude and seriously have no EMPATHY whatsoever. read more

I went at 11:40, my appointment was at 12:00 and it took 1 1/2 hr after my number was called Even though I had an appointment and only few people were waiting. Will not recommend this place read more

Okay, there is only one positive person at this security office and his name is Oscar. many other workers there were not courteous and simply placed a lot of frustration on the patrons who were in need of assistance. additionally, dont bother to call the offices. no one pics up their phones...which can be very frustrating as well. if you need a question, you can't get it answered by the phone because they dont pick up. you have to drive yourself over there to get the answers that you need - such an inconvenience! read more

Got there at 11:45 and was out by 12:30. I did not have an appointment. There were 14 numbers serviced before they called mine. I thought that was fast. The representative was very helpful and kind. read more

I do understand that they take appointments before walks-ins BUT after waiting for about an hour my number was next and some guy walks in to pick up a "desk" and they direct him to one of the windows. TWO associates helphim for over 10 minutes - meanwhile the 10am appointments star rolling in! Then I hear one of the associates tell the guy "next time don't cut" and starts laughing... Now 45 minutes later I still have not been called!! Are you serious! If they didn't take that guy and use TWO window people then I would be out of here by now.... read more

Just got back from the SSA office on Cottle Road after the quickest interaction with govt services EVER!! I am very impressed :) I was dubious after seeing a full car park outside, but luckily there was a space by the entrance, which I grabbed. Once inside, you have to get a ticket according to the purpose of your visit. Then an officer looks through your purse or any other bag you may have on your person. I settled down with a good book expecting my number to take forever to come up on the screen. Before I knew it (less than a minute later) a lady called my number and asked me to go to Window 2. You should listen carefully and not get engrossed in your book cos I barely heard her & my number never came up on the screen simultaneously!! No complaints however, as I handed over all the documents the lady requested and answered any questions that she had. Perhaps I had an easy request (update info on social security card) or perhaps I was well prepared with all the docs that she needed (definitely recommend looking at docs required for whatever you're going in to see them for)?! Whatever the reason, I was over the moon at having spent less than 10mins when I was expecting a 2-3hr wait!! Very happy overall and I really hope the SJ City cuts don't impact these individuals as I really think they're doing a fabulous job of being on top of things & providing a fast service. Service isn't always with a smile, but get over it! They're not there to hand hold and be nice, they're there to do the service you came in to request. I really don't think they were rude because I was a minority (most people who work there seem to be from a non-Caucasian ethnic minority), so I think your experience will really depend on your attitude and expectations. read more

The employees at this SS office have, to a one, always been courteous and helpful. Went in yesterday to change my tax withholding status and was in and out in a very short time. The representative who helped me was friendly and helpful and handled by transaction very efficiently. This has always been the case over the past few years. Perhaps I'm prejudiced, as I've found the California DMV employees to be pretty good people, too. read more

I knew they opened at 9, I got there at 745, waited. More people showed, line formed... not too bad. When we finally were let in I got my number and sat. 15 minutes later I was called to my window, presented my paperwork and I.D., answered some questions... done. I'd say that's great considering I made no appointment. read more

i know that its friday and probably the most busy day in the week/ but still, 2 employes on over 30 people? waited almost for 3 hours. wow you got worst even than the dmv. YOU need more employee! read more

Terrible service. One Women in the window that trying to helping over a 40 people. Ridicules! Waiting over a 2 hours still read more