Social Security Offices to Close Due to Coronavirus

By Melanie Waddell

News March 16, 2020 at 08:59 PM

Share & Print

The Social Security Administration has announced that it will close its field offices for in-person services starting Tuesday to protect older Americans, people with underlying medical conditions as well as Social Security employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

Recipients can use secure online services available to apply for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas) and print a benefit verification letter.

SSA continues to provide critical services and will make certain exceptions for specific "dire need situations," which include:

Dire need benefit payments for those who do not receive a benefit payment or presumptive payments, or need benefit payments reinstated;
Cases of severe disability, blindness and terminal illness; and
Dire need SSI and 1619B eligibility decisions required for urgent Medicaid approval.

In addition, SSA said it will send critical payments by mail or will schedule an appointment for an office pickup.

Some recipients may need to wait for offices to reopen if they need a new or replacement Social Security card or benefit verifications.

NOT FOR REPRINT