Social Security Administration

Just went here today to get a replacement SSC and while the line system was a little different, I thought the overall experience was good. The security guards did very well at explaining the rules and how the line system worked which made the process more bearable than it would have been without them. I was only there for about a little over an hour including the half hour I waited outside before they opened. If you have all the documents you need and listen to the rules your experience should be fine.

I read the previous Unilocal reviews and still wasn’t prepared for what I witnessed as far as lines! I will start off by saying that I arrived at 1000 on a Wednesday where posted hours were 0900 to Noon. I spent 10 minutes outside the building in queue then another 20 minutes in queue to get my initial number another 90 minutes waiting for my number to be called. During this time, my only entertainment was listening to the Security Officers joke with patrons and do their best to keep spirits high and hopeful.
I will say that once my number was called, the person helping me was very respectful and diligent. I can also say, I received my new social security card with my updated «married» name in less than 5 days. This portion of the experience was impressive.
By noon, the Security Officers announced the doors would be closing and that no trips to the car or outside smoke breaks were allowed. I left shortly after noon, so in total it was onsite more than 2hr to update my name on the social security card. I truly hate that SSA doesn’t run as efficiently as a Target checkout lane. As a «technology» person, I am left wondering if their queuing system is based on current data science algorithms for scheduling. Maybe one day going to the SSA will be more like the modern emergency room with a «current wait time» posted out front indicating whether or not you need a half day off of work before attempting a task.

Efficient for processing my documents.
Come as early as possible before 9am as you will have to queue.
For me, it was:
20 mins queueing outside the building (standing)
20 mins queueing inside the building (standing)
Got my number
1 hour of waiting for them to call me (sitting)
15 mins process
Done :)

If I could give it a zero star, I would. This place is way too small to accommodate more than 20 people, with all the growth we have in the NoVa area you’d think they’ll expand this office. By visiting this place will make you appreciate the DMV so much more. Their system is antiquated, just to check in… you have to wait in line for about an hour or more to get a number. Your number is given to you written on a post it note, really?! The security guard is on a power trip, ordering everyone to tighten the line & jam packing us in a tiny waiting room breathing down each other. They only have 4 Windows but only 1 or 2 are open to help anyone… slow as heck! Overall, I don’t have anything even close to good to say about it. I wish social security would get it together & make things easier for folks who only need simple things like change of status that could easily be done online instead of wasting my whole day at this hell hole!

I read that the best thing is to arrive early, due to long lines. I arrived at 7:00AM, temp 12 degrees, sat in the car for a while, then waited on line for 40 minutes. I was second in line, thank goodness. After all was said and done, the woman who helped me gave me all the wrong information, so when I got back home, I called SS Admin and finally my problem was solved. Wow, what a place.

Read about many negative reviews. So I did some research about how to make my experience less painful like other reviewers. I came today to get my name changed due to marriage. Pre filled and application, brought my official marriage license/​certificate, US passport, my US citizenship official certificate, name changed petition official paper when became us citizen and my old social security card. Time: I arrived at around 8:15 Tuesday morning, I was the third, other two people before me arrived 7 am, we all chated during the wait, nice people, by closed to 9 am, there were about 30 people, around 25 per case/​some come with their agent or family/​friends waiting in line. Open time: Door opened at 9 am sharpe, security are pleasant and helpful, gave out clear instructions, instructed us into the office efficiently/​helped us get out of the cold fast/​very considerate. There are 3 windows open, they screen each person’s application first and give out ticket number to each case. I got mine, sit down and wait no more then 1 min, got called into the side office/​desk area, the manager helped me with all the documentation, small chat, very fast, friendly, very helpful. I walked out of the office at 9:15 sharpe. My new marriage name will be officially updated in 24 hours, will receive my new SS card 7 – 10 days by mail. Tips: met a very nice agent during the wait, she says 8 am arrival usually good, also Mon, Tuesday, Thursday and Fri 3:30 pm will be good time to come, because the officers want to finish work and go home on time. They close at 4 pm, only wed closed at 12 noon. If you want to call, phone line open at 8 am. Office: very clean, has a restroom, has two male security guards, parking friendly, easy to find on google map, there is a guy used his gps but went to the wrong place, so make sure you check the map online before you plan the trip, bring small blanket and small folded chair if you plan to come early, vibrate the cell, can only bring water bottle in the office, no coffee or any other beverages, speak on the phone outside. Change name after marriage is not allow to make appointments ahead of time, it is very straight forward, just walk in. I shared my honest and fair review to all because this office function very well according my good experience. Everyone is professional, no attitude, but do ask questions if you have, call ahead before time, will help you a lot.

My experience here today was fine. It is like any other government service office (take the DMV for example). You should not expect it to be super fast! I arrived around 8:45 AM and it opened promptly at 9:00, there was a long line but I was done within an hour. The three staff members that I interacted with were pleasant and it was a relatively painless process.

The security guards were calm, courteous and managed the line efficiently. They helped find my elderly parents seating. The representative was also kind, helpful and considerate. We waited about one hour.

I read some of the Unilocal reviews before going and I think that might have helped me prepare for the experience and possibly preventing me from giving them a 2 star review.
When you go here, be prepared to wait a long time. Bring a book or make sure your phone is fully charged so you can play games on it. And wear clothes suitable for the weather because most likely you’ll be standing OUTSIDE in line for quite a while before being let in because of fire safety codes. The building is pretty small and there are lot of people who need to go there.
I was going here to change my name after marriage and it went relatively smooth and it took little over an hour. Talked to a semi friendly lady who barely looked at me and barely acknowledged my presence but she did tell me to have a good day when it was all done…

I did my homework on getting my name changed after marriage and mailed all the correct documents to this facility. After 5 days (it says your card will arrive in about 10 days but I just wanted to make sure it was received) I called to verify they got the documents. Talked to a guy who ended up putting me through to some random woman’s voicemail — still have not gotten a call back from her btw. The next day called again and got somebody slightly more knowledgeable, she asked me to detail what I sent out and I informed her I sent my marriage certificate with photocopies of my ID’s. She said they don’t accept copies of IDs, you have to send an actual ID (1. that wasn’t anywhere on the website, 2. who the hell gives out their active ID in the mail?!) and that the documents would be returned to me. I was forced to take a half day off work to arrive an hour early as suggested on Swarm and my boss is still pissed about it. After about an hour of waiting I was finally taken back, the woman was nice (only by a touch though) but it was very obvious she’d rather be anywhere else… that’s fine, nobody really likes their job… she gets a confused look on her face and said that my name had already been changed in the system. I told her that I was told that they would not accept my documents because they were copied. She said that was absolutely correct and was very bothered that someone accepted it anyway (I’m not complaining here!). It was done the same day I was told it wouldn’t be accepted. So pretty much whoever I spoke to got off the phone then approved my documents… again, not complaining but I did waste half a day and several lunch hours because of that.
Ironically, my card arrived the very next day, way less than 10 days… and that is exactly what saved it from losing 2 stars. I don’t know how I got so lucky (minus taking unnecessary time off) but I really appreciate it because changing your name, it turns out, is quite difficult and I need to get it done immediately.
BE WARNED — if you create an account with them online and have to X out before you get to the part where you assign yourself a username, IT WILL LOCK YOU OUT AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET UNLOCKED IS BY GOING INTO AN OFFICE. Which I find to be absurd.
In conclusion– my biggest tip to you is to arrive exactly 1 hour ahead of opening time. Don’t bring any food or drinks in with you, they’ll make you leave them outside… and they make you silence your cell phone and take any calls outside.

It’s hard to understand how they justify using only 1 – 2 windows to help customers (three windows are available) when the waiting room is full and 20+ people are waiting in the sun outside on the sidewalk.

I recently came here in the morning time and was not surprised to see the amount of people in the waiting room after reading prior reviews. I was quickly checked in and given a ticket. I waited for about an hour and was then called and finished within two minutes. Very easy and I experienced no problems, the staff are very friendly and polite. I would definitely bring something to keep you occupied while you wait though and also try to come in the morning.

Not really sure why folks have such high expectations for this type of transaction? I had to get a new SS card after a name change. When you walk in you wait in a brief line in order to get a number. This allows you to interact with a person so that they can make sure you have the correct forms. Then you have to wait for when your number is called. My wait was about an hour and half so I left and came back. You can ask the clerk how long the wait is … but this is ONLY an estimate.
Tips:
— Do your homework … make sure you fill out and bring the correct forms and identification.
— If you can leave, go get yourself a drink at Starbucks (about .5 miles away)
— There are not a lot of seats to accommodate all the people so come knowing this…
–Give yourself at least TWO hours. This is not an office that can be visited on your lunch hour.
For me, once my number was served, my transaction took about 4 minutes and I received my new card in the mail in less than a week.
Good luck!

To complete my transaction, I had two choices — sit and wait at SSA with my originals in hand, or get my originals certified by the issuing agencies (all of which are Government, which means I would also have to sit and wait at those agencies as well). I chose what appeared to be the lesser of the two (2) evils — sit and wait at SSA.
After reading the previous posts, I came prepared with my puzzle book, iPhone for music and my patience in tow. What else could I expect from a Government Agency but to sit and wait. After obtaining my number, I sat in the quite cramped and crowded lobby, listening to a multiple of languages being spoken while having names and numbers being called out through windows and doors. After an hour, my number was finally called.
Now, I would have given my experience a 3 because this is the Government, and I expect slow inefficient services from Government employees. What I did not expect was a lack of civility. This is why I am giving a 2.
The door to the client interview area was opened and my number was called. A woman, who did not identify herself, but sits at the first desk, immediately to the left «greated me.» I walked up, said «hello,» no reply. She turned her back, I said «Good Morning,» no reply. She turns to me and says «Now how can I help you.» I replied, «you can start by saying Good Morning back.»
Really!!!
Is this what our society has come to? People have to be compelled to respond to civility and common courtesy?
After her silence, and her disingenuous «Good Morning» back, I broke the ice and opened discussions about the facility. She appeared to be happy to have a sympathetic ear across the desk, and about 3 minutes later, my transaction was complete.
I give the experience a 2 because while her manners appeared to be lacking (maybe she just wasn’t having a good day — but there is no excuse for rudeness), she did recover, and got me out the door very fast.
Tips to a speedier SSA experience:
— Bring a book, music, or something to distract you while you wait.
— Make an appointment, if you can. If you can’t, get there at least 1-​hour before the doors open.
— Bring you patience, because most of the clients either don’t speak English well, or don’t bring all of their paperwork and will proceed to argue with the people behind the counter.
— Bring your understanding, your transaction will not be completed during your lunch break!
Appearance of the building — Old. The ceiling tiles are worn/​discolored and broken in areas. The partitions in the lobby are stained and dirty. The rooms smell musty/​old. Their must have been a flood, because wall paper is peeling at what appears to be a water line at about a foot high. Small, cramped, dull, drab, dim, and dingy looking. For an office, located in a professional office park, the inside looks anything but professional.
Good Luck!

Fairfax SSA office — hands down THE RUDEST people I have ever interacted with. And one of them was apparently the Manager! All I wanted to do was drop off some forms for SS card replacement, so nothing complicated, yet anytime I tried to say anything I was cut off, snapped at, and treated like a child. I happen to work for a different government agency that also involves a lot of customer service — if any of my co-​workers treated customers the way I was treated by the people at the Fairfax SSA office, they would no longer have a job. That level of rudeness is unacceptable.

Today I went for the 4^th time, and I demanded to talk to the supervisor. The costumer service I give 2 start, they need to improve that skill. I have been there four times and I still waiting for my SS card. For that reason I lost an opportunity that an enterprise would hired me, they could not wait for me anymore. Each time I go, they tell me different reason. I am very disappointed.

So I went back to get my SS card. They insisted that it was sent out (Yes. I get 1000 junk mails a month and that one official mail never came!) First of all, this lady at the info window this time, spent about 15 seconds checking her email on her iphone. Then I coughed to let her know I am there. She was throughly annoyed and asked me why I am there. I told her about what happened.
«it was issued» (while glancing at her iphone)
«I never received it»
«…» (glancing at her iphone because it’s so important to read her personal emails while at work)
«so…»
“I will give you a number.“
After I get my number, I sit down to wait for my turn, this lady and the customer was just chatting away «oh. yeah. this weekend. blahblah. oh yeah. really? oh my. hoho haha»
I understand these people probably get paid $ 10 an hour but come on. Cut the chitchat and be professional about what you do!
Long story short, somehow it’s either USPS or my fault that I didn’t get my replacement SS card.
6 letters. IDIOTS

I was in and out of the SS office in about 15 minutes to apply for a SS card for my daughter. I went mid-​month on a Tuesday at about 10 a.m. Made sure to have all my paperwork and more and filled out the application ahead of time. Pleasantly surprised!

Haha, I wish I had read this five years ago. I still haven’t changed my name to my married name, after the third time I blew up at someone and never went back, I had my crying baby with me and it sucked. They did the, go back and make another appointment thing with me. What made me blow up is someone else had let it go for the customer in front of me who was helped for something different even though technically she made an appointment after I came in. They got a find a better way to run things.

How to Survive in the Social Security Administration Office Mini Outline.
(Slightly inspired by Patrick H.‘s thread)
I. Queue Line Necessities
A. Before Opening
1. Insulated Outerwear
2. Quadruple-​Layered Shoe Insoles
3. Four Season Tent
4. «Pre-​Game» Meal (next meal: unknown)
B. Inside Building
1. YOUR PAPERWORK
2. Portable Bleacher Cushion Seat
3. Ear Plugs (to block screaming children)
4. Hearing Aid (to hear assigned numbers)
5. Edible Contraband
a. Granola Bar
b. Water
c. Valium (or other anti-​anxiety medication)
II. Mental Stimulation
A. Literature
1. «The Dummies’ Guide to Bureacratic Efficiency»
2. «Les Miserables» by Victor Hugo
3. «Purgatorio» by Dante Alighieri
B. Electronic
1. iPod
a. Yanni
b. Dr. Phil McGraw
c. Other Self-​Help Audio Book*
2. Mobile Phone
a. Gaming (Solitaire)
b. Text Messaging
c. Video Recording (YouTube annoying customers)
C. Miscellaneous Documents
1. Checkbook (to balance)
2. Form 1040 (to file)
3. 401k (to plan)
4. Sudoku (difficulty: absurd)
Okay, here’s some serious advice.
— The Social SECURITY SECURITY guard does not actually work for Social SECURITY, but rather for a SECURITY firm. Don’t ask him what the wait time is. It varies!
— If you miss your number being called, you have to start ALL over. Bring an ear trumpet if you have to.
— If you complain, everyone else can hear you complain and will rightfully make fun of you for it.
— Take the necessary time off from work. Your matters with Social Security cannot be done over your lunch break.
— Remember to bring completed forms and proper documents. Failure to do so will result in having to queue all over. You don’t want to endure such torment again.
— Be prepared to stand and wait. Space is limited and chairs are scarce. This would be a great time to fake dependency on a walker with a seat.
— The photograph of George W. Bush staring back at you is tantamount to crossing the River Styx and entering Satan’s domain.
* — «Remember, you WILL get through this!»