Social Security

24-Hour Telephone Service

Publication No. 05-10082 

March 1999 

ICN 468360 

Social Security's Toll--Free 

800--Number Service 

We have toll--free telephone service to provide you with a convenient, 

easy way to conduct your Social Security business. Whether you 

need general information or to ask a specific question about your 

benefits, you can call our toll--free number, 1--800--772--1213, 24 

hours a day, including weekends and holidays. You can speak to a 

representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. People 

who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll--free “TTY” number, 

1--800--325--0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. 

When Should You Call Us? 

Our lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month, so, if 

your business can wait, it's best to call at other times. However, if you 

are planning to file for benefits, you should call us as soon as 

possible. 

What Can We Do For You? 

Following are some of the services available when you call the 800 

number. You can call to— 

● schedule an appointment to apply for Social Security 

retirement, survivors or disability benefits, Supplemental 

Security Income, Medicare or other services; 

● change your address; 

● sign up to send your Social Security benefit check directly to 

your bank; and 

● find out how work affects your Social Security benefits. 

For your convenience, automated services are available 24 hours a 

day. A recorded message will tell you how to leave your name and 

address, when needed, so we can complete your request. We'll 

respond to you by mail. You can request— 

● an application for a new or replacement Social Security card; 

● a Request for Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (SSA--

7004), which gives you an application for an estimate of your 

Social Security benefits based on your lifetime earnings; 

● a benefit verification (the amount of Social Security benefits 

you receive each month); 

● the location of the closest Social 

Security office; or 

● a replacement Medicare card. 
After 7 p.m., you can use the automated services to request a variety 

of publications or listen to general information messages. 

To Help Us Serve You Better 

When you call, you can help us serve you by having— 

● your Social Security number handy; 

● a list of questions you want to ask; 

● any recent correspondence you received from us; and 

● a pencil and paper to record information and answers to your 

questions. 

Who Answers The 800 Number? 

The employees who answer Social Security's national telephone lines 

are fully trained representatives, just like the people who help you if 

you choose to visit a Social Security office. They use computer 

equipment and have access 

to your Social Security records. This means you can handle most of 

your business using the 800--number telephone system. 

Your Privacy Is Important 

We treat all calls confidentially—whether they're made to our toll--free 

numbers or to one of our local offices. When you call, we'll ask you 

several questions to help us verify your identity. If you ask a friend or 

family member to call Social Security, you need to be with them so 

we can ask your permission to discuss your Social Security business 

with that person. 

We also want to make sure that you receive accurate and courteous 

service. That's why we have a second Social 

Security representative monitor some incoming and outgoing 

telephone calls. 

Social Security's 

Toll--Free Number 

1-800-772-1213 

Internet: www.ssa.gov 

Social Security Administration 

SSA Publication No. 05-10082 

March 1999 

ICN 468360