I drove up from Menlo Park and was greeted by a guard blocking the door, he wanted to search my pockets, everything. I felt violated. The other guard is usually to the left, friendly, doesn't block the door...I found it very inappropriate. I turned and left without doing business there. read more

I had to change my name. I waited only 10 minutes and there were some 5-6 people before me. The guy who helped me was really really nice. I wish all government offices were like this one. read more

Went in and came out about 15 minutes later. Was waited upon within 6 minutes. Everyone was cool and at ease. Questions answered and I am a happy camper. read more

What a disappointing experience. I had 2 simple questions I wanted to ask a real human (I didn't need a full interview). The guard was gruff and abrupt "What are you here for?" , searched my purse, grunted and pointed to a computer "Follow the instructions!". It turns out you can't just ask questions, you have to wait (for over an hour) for an interview. I had another appointment somewhere else well within that hour, so I just left. I did not experience a friendly, helpful guard and there is no one but the guard at the door. It felt more like a prison (or an airport, ha ha) than a helpful government agency. I've been told that SS offices in smaller towns are much nicer, so I'll go elsewhere. read more

Im pregnant, already pissed and irritable that I had to wait 2 hours for them to tell me I had the wrong documents. Which by the way, how the f**k was I suppose to know that when their online services and phones dont work to clarify?!. Clueless lady behind the desk couldnt even direct me with the right info. Then she didnt return my social security card back which I didnt realize until later. It pissing me off that I couldnt make an appt or complete what I needed online. Get it together!!! read more

HORRIBLE customer service by a clerk named Angela! My mom went in inquiring about a disability issue she has, and Angela was NOTHING but rude towards her and talked down to her and pretty much humiliated her. She wasn't a bit humble at ALL! I work in the customer service field and NEVER would I ever cut off a customer in the middle of their sentence and show how annoyed and frustrated I am. If you don't like your job, I suggest you get out of that field because your frustration shows when dealing with customers. What ever happened to good customer service?! If I were to ever treat a customer like that, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have a job anymore. Maybe this lady needs more training on how to deal with customers and if she's not willing to change, then maybe work elsewhere because customers don't need to put up with attitudes like hers. They come to you for help, not to put up with your arrogant condescending attitude. read more

My only tiny complaint is that the building can be difficult to find since cars parked in front of it block the sign that indicated that it is the Social Security office. Other than that, once I parked, walked to the building, entered and received a number, and within 10 minutes, my number was called, to my surprise, seeing as there were many people waiting that had been there before me. I bet that didn't make them too happy. I was there to change my name and had everything I needed, and the process was smooth, and the person who helped me was friendly and helpful in answering my questions, so I was happy with being in and out of there quickly. He told me that with the receipt, I could head over to DMV, and I hadn't even planned on doing that the same day! So, I got two big things done that day, and am overall pleased with the service I received at both institutions. read more

I walked in today at 9:45am without an appointment. I waited 10 minutes to be seen in an efficient and courteous manner. I had three questions that were taken care of in a professional, non rushed way. Kudos, especially to Monique, who solved the problems I had. read more

Not a great experience, to say the least. Arrived at 1:50 and did not leave until 4pm. Warning! If you have signed in and and waiting for your name to be called, please listen for your name carefully. If you have to go outside the door for any reason, and come back in, just hope that they have not called your name while you were ouside even for a second. This happened yesterday when I was helping a client who is disabled. I left for a second to help her up the ramp, came back and asked 3 different people and was told 3 by all that her name had not been called. Our appt was for 2:00.Finally, the nice guard in the front noticed how long we had been waiting. He said he thought that they might have called her name once, but could not really hear clearly. Sometimes, it is very difficult to hear inside. Again asked 2 different people again, 1 was extremely rude, finally found out that they had called her name, but then took her off the list, because they said we "must have left". Finally at around 3:35 we were helped, by a very nice gentleman, but all in all the experience is horrid. Most, but I want to stress not all, but most are non-caring individuals that should be working at something else where they do not interact with the public. read more

My experience with the San Mateo office of the US Social Security Administration was an absolute nightmare. When I arrived the first time, all I needed to do was to show my marriage certificate because at our one year anniversary, my payments would be changed and based on my husband's income (which was larger) rather than mine. Instead of taking care of this, the case worker, Joe, demanded I produce paperwork from a part-time college teaching job I completed thirty-five years ago. He wanted proof that I wasn't receiving retirement benefits, which was ridiculous. First of all, no community college or university in the country gave part timer instructors retirement benefits in that era. Second, if they had, they would of course be reporting the payments to the IRS. I had seen at least three different case workers previously in San Francisco and Redwood City, and no one had asked for this information. Trying to get proof of no retirement benefits was extremely difficult. Most of the administrators I called would not return my call. Finally I got someone to write a letter saying that no part time instructors in the district received retirement benefits for work completed during the 1980's. If sending me on a wild goose chase wasn't enough, Joe incorrectly input my income as ten times the actual amount, resulting in an avalanche of notices, and my payments stopping cold for several months. He also had my ex-husbands's social security number on some of the paperwork even though I had provided my new husband's number when I married him a year before. These problems continued for a while with no end in sight. I received no notice of my marriage certificate being noted to qualify for an adjustment in income. I had nightmares that I would never receive my social security income, which I needed badly. I was distraught at my helplessness dealing with this group of incompetents. I had appealed to the manager, who did nothing to help. Finally, my husband suggested I contact Congresswoman Jackie Spier's office, and that did the trick. One of her assistants, Aaron Kiesler, contacted the Social Security office a few times, and finally my case was resolved. One more thing I'd like to mention is that at this office, case workers didn't have last names and the manager was "out of " business cards. I will go to Redwood City next time. read more

ive never been inside, BUT THEY NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE. so you get one star. not even a message. gotta love the feds!

There's nothing you can do about a government agency, but the lady who helped us was pretty ok. as expected. she would have gotten a 4 star if the security guard wasn't so rude. i mean as soon as you walk in he had the "hey you" attitude and was just a real jerk. Really ghetto so unfortunately, i had to get ghetto, too geez, it's a simple process. walk in, go to kiosks, register, sit and wait. it was about 15 minutes. but he really was bad. there's nothing you can do with this yelp thing, but this just took a minute so why not. I was going to ask him why he was there since he obvious was miserable and it was only 10am. wow!!!! read more

Well, when attempting to contact The Social Security Admin.by phone...the # provided by the Google website is A FREAKIN FAX...THAT'S RIGHT A FAX MACHINE SCREEMS IN YOUR EAR!!! Pretty sad but typical for a GOVERNMENT AGENCY!!! If you need to visit the S.S.A. office in person, the experience was way better for me in person. I arrived at 4 pm and was taken Care of quite quickly and with no issues!!! Heads up.... D.M.V.at 4:30 pm moves at lightening speed to accomadate the customers and handle the business in record time...they want to go home at 5pm.. Just sayin. One last thing... THEY NEED TO PUT A VALID CONTACT PHONE# ON THESE WEBSITE!!! Now!!' read more

Angela helped me and was very efficient and helpful, telling me what documents I needed and even calling me to see if these documents had arrived from another source. After I dropped off the materials in the Express Box, she called the following morning to let me know the documents were ok and to make sure I kept a copy. We had called to find out what to do and had an appointment. Once we got there, our wait was brief. Thank you Angela! read more

Came here to change my last name after getting married ... I was a little nervous because I've always heard how difficult the social security offices can be. This place was super easy !! I didn't wait anymore than 30 min , the lady who took my info was super nice, seemed really happy and was joking with me about getting married in Vegas. Whole process took 10 min and boom ! It's all done !! read more

I came here on my day off with my mother to help her inquire about retirement. To my surprise, the service and wait were above my expectations. We came in and waited about 20 minutes for our number to be called. The lobby had a handful of sketchy characters. We were directed to the back of the office and was greeted by a young lady named Araceli. She was incredibly helpful. She explained everything and simplified it for my mother to understand. She also started my mother an account on their website. Araceli was a pleasant surprise for both of us. Her service and knowledge were impressive. It was a little difficult paying attention to what she was saying because she is very attractive and charming. If my mother wasn't there, I would have asked her if she was single! Above all, my mother was more than satisfied with the information Araceli provided her. read more