Very incompetent staff! One person gave me different information from the other. I went to a different office and had my paperwork done there, whereas this office refused to help us out. Rudy promised to call me, but never did. read more

The entire staff takes time to explain all the needs in a professional kind matter. I respect this office tremendously at their patience with everyone they help. I recommend this office to anyone that needs someone to listen to them. There professional, respectful and put the client in front of them at the highest level. Thank you so much for your helpful service. Steve read more

I've been coming in and calling for 9 months, along with signing multiple papers and have not received a decision as to whether I qualify for SSI. They told me April 2025 I would receive benefits but the stalemate continues. Nothing. read more

I find it literally Impossible to get ahold of a social security agent and it's urgent that I speak to one and I'm not able to access my online account. What should I do? read more

One of the worst calls ever. I was in need of information and wanted to make an appointment to discuss benefits for pending retirement. The guy on the phone was judgmental and questioned my desire to retire at 62. He proceeded to tell me I needed to be interviewed. I don't have a disability claim. Just wanted more information other than what is on the website. read more

Call main social security number and don't bother trying to call or talk to this office! They are rude here and will hang up on you . Spend 45plus on hold to the get hung up on TWICE by a male and female employee. Male on is David and he's vnit helpful and does not listen and will hang up on you. Ironic ... people who are disabled get abused calling this place. It is bad for your health so don't do it. read more

Incredibly fast and professional handling of my SSDI claim. Good followup to keep me informed.

I received an email regarding my Medicare Part B application requesting additional documentation and a certified form from my previous employer. I called the Santa Cruz office and spoke to James. James was awesome! He had the problem better than solved in less than 10 minutes! I highly recommend the Santa Cruz Social Security office and especially James! It should be a 10 star review! read more

I called the national SSA number in August 2022 and found I was #25 in cue. Decided I didn't want to wait. Called the Santa Cruz office number and ended up talking with a gentleman within 5 minutes. He was able to answer all my questions and even helped me finish applying for Medicare in the saved application I had on file online. I think the only reason people might give a low rating is that they aren't prepared with information needed for whatever it was they wanted to accomplish. I had a good experience with the Santa Cruz office. read more

I walked-in on a Thursday to have my records updated. The lady who interviewed me was super nice! I was done and out of the building in about 30-40 mins. read more

I visited this social security office and honestly, my experience was great. I was in and out within 45 minutes, the man who assisted me was helpful and clear, and I got the answers I needed. Without that experience, I'd have given one star. My negative review is for the other of the two workers - who seemed to use NO discretion while discussing the privacy of others. She spoke so loudly that the entire room could hear her discuss and interrogate a person about their request (which I won't disclose, though I know it) and specifically demanding to hear details about their domestic violence situation. I understand that these details may have been pertinent to the request, but they did NOT need to be shared with the entire room. The person asking for help was begging her to speak quieter - Even saying "please ma'am, this is about my safety" and the woman continued to question at full volume regarding the abuse. In the end, the person being helped left in tears. I understand that local agencies don't have all the answers and can't always do what we hope they can, and I understand that government jobs are hard, but some empathy and compassion would have gone such a long way; Not to mention the direct breach of privacy this person experienced. There is a poster on the wall listing guarantees of privacy not only of personal info but also of personal background and situations. These were absolutely not followed and made me uncomfortable and nervous to share my own information. read more

I just called the social security in walnut Ave .. I don't know who's working in answering the phone but he wasn't of much help , he was very rude on the way he answered and just hang up on me twice ...Men like him shouldn't be working there .. time 11:05 Am 01/31/2022 I think he's to old and grumpy to be working there . ‍ read more

Called and was told I had to come into the office. requested to make appointment but was told I couldn't. now sitting here over an hour waiting while everyone with appointments is served. only one person working. so frustrating read more

Entered, the security guy gave me very helpful info about the check in process at the kiosk. Got my ticket number and was called almost immediately. Got replacement SS card set up. ...can't say enough about how helpful the security officer at the front door was; courteous, respectful, informative, etc. Go by if for no other reason than to see a true professional at work! read more

Maricela Torres was so very helpful to me and i appreciate it. This system can be difficult and i am always so grateful to encounter someone like her. Thank you read more

I wish I made an appointment! But, I checked the site and had no idea how to... At least I got there and the wait was minimal. I went to change my last name to my married name. But, it seemed that there were a lot of interesting people waiting for money. It felt a little soup kitchen-esk. read more

I don't know why this place has really bad reviews. Granted it's a social security administration office, and the sound of that will make ANYONE groan, but honestly the previous reviews do not reflect the office today. I went in on a Tuesday morning right when they open and there were already 5 other people waiting ahead of me. I checked in, got my number, sat down and waited. I think I waited for all of 5 minutes before I got called up. The lady that helped me, Eleanor, was SO nice. She was able to answer my questions really quickly, and got all my paperwork done in less than 10 minutes. While there was no long conversation, it was fine because she was really friendly and I was in and out of the office in 1/10th of the time I had expected to spend there. Not to mention the office space is very open, clean and fresh feeling. Totally doesn't feel like your run-of-the-mill social security office at all! read more

I went in on a thursday late afternoon 3:30pm to do a name change after marriage. Walked in, security told me to sign in on the machine, sat down for 2 seconds when my number was called! Didn't even get time to settle in! I nice gentleman helped me in less than 10 minutes I was in and out of the place. i couldn't believe it. I brought work to do while i waited. Superior and fast service. I am still in shock at how fast and easy it was. Thanks! read more

Funny story, I decided to bike down to this place on a Wednesday and totally forgot that they closed at noon. I got there at 12:02 and see that it is closed and I'm like "FUUUUUUUUUU"!!! That'll teach me to check places hours a little better. Next time I came here I waited probably 30 minutes and then finally got everything squared away. There was only one worker serving people so it took a long time and there were like 20 people waiting on average. read more

If I could give this office minus 1,000 stars I would. Michael at this office is a real piece of work. I dropped off a check in their office and asked for a receipt of payment in case something happened to the check I had proof it had been received by him. He told me "They do not give receipts. No worries, I'm the guy who processes these payments and it would be done that day". LIAR!! Waited two weeks followed up since the check had not cleared my bank. Guess what?? The payment was processed the next day!! If I had not followed up the payment would still be in his desk drawer. His attitude was rude, doesn't really care, entitled, and sucks to be you since I'm going to do what I want. Followed up with a phone call for info on the account payment was for, he starts off with "I'm not going to talk to you if you have an attitude". Really who has the attitude? If he was working in the private sector and NOT A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, his ass would be hitting the curb. I don't understand how SSA can have such an uncaring individual dealing with people who are in need of information and assistance. The only thing he's worried about is taking his breaks on time, eating lunch, and going home to wake up the next day and torture more people who give him his paycheck. SSA should give a personality test to see what kind of disorder he has that makes him so NASTY!! There are plenty of nice caring people who could do his job and make it easier on all the people who need assistance. SSA please take more care when hiring people who are dealing with the public and do not know how to navigate social security. I feel especially bad for the public who are disabled or unable to get through negative experiences like this one and come on the other end satisfied. read more

Went in there to ask some questions to help fix an issue with SSI and a very ill-mannered older lady named Linda, was the worker that helped me and she just seemed to hate life itself. She was EXTREMELY unprofessional and when asked to speak with someone else since she seemed to have a attitude problem for no apparent reason, I could hear her in the back yelling at her supervisor, telling false stories to make her seem like we were being crazy. It was just unbelievable. It is shocking that someone so rude and ill-mannered could even hold a job. Customer service at it's very worst was experienced here. read more

I was not able to make an appointment online so I went down to the office. I found parking on the street and once inside I used the kiosk to take a number. I was in and outta there in just a few minutes. The man who helped me was very pleasant and the waiting area and restrooms are very clean. read more

i came to the santa cruz social security administration after i received horrible treatment by the staff at the watsonville location. I am pleased to say that i was helped beyond my expectations by a woman named brandy. She immidiately helped me and made me comfortable. read more

I'm glad that Social Security is in place in America. I've got to say though that the Social Security Administration is the most incompetent bureaucracy that I've ever encountered. One year after receiving retirement benefits, they said they didn't pay me enough, so paid me more. Six months later, they said they paid me too much, so they witheld my benefits for two years. I accurately reported my income which was just over their 'threshold' of allowable income, and their annual report states in black and white they they will adjust benefits when they get actual income at end of year. Neither was it done, nor benefits changed when I accurately reported income and requested adjusted benefits in writing. I waited 15 months to go to court to appeal their decision. The judge ruled 100 percent in my favor. Five months later, I'm still waiting for them to pay me back. I've since received the most bizarre communications from SSA, with seemingly arbitrary figures included, with no acknowlegement whatsoever of the state court's decision. My lawyer agrees that it's "truly puzzling". read more