Social Security Office – North Branch

For every retard writing a review for a SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
YOU ARE RETARDED. This is office where no one wants to go but they still have to of course it’s gonna be boring and you’re gonna have to wait. I think anyone would hate to wait. They have to help tons of people coming in and being rude, they are try to so their job. You guys are so stupid. I can’t believe you’d fill out a report about having to «wait». Pathetic.

This office is a poster child for government inefficiency and bureaucracy.
I came in to get a replacement Social Security card — had all the proper id as well as the required form already filled out. I proceeded to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait and, well you get the picture.
I understand that there are probably some serious issues that are dealt with here, but mine is not one of them. It seems like they should have a line for simple stuff and many other lines for the more intricate problems.
In the roughly 30 minutes I was there, 3 people were helped. There were about 30 people ahead of me. In that same amount of time, I watched at least 5 people, myself included, walk out having not been helped. Ridiculous.
I am going to go back one day soon about 30 minutes before they open and cross my fingers. I will update my review after that experience.
Another government FAIL.

Got there at 8:50, ten people in line. Was inside the door with a number by 9:04 and then called to window by 9:08. Interviewer pleasant, competent, took extra time to help me. easy parking. Easy to fine. Give it a 5

Front desk customer service individuals are great. The social security case managers are rude and speak to individuals in a very belittling manner. The case managers are unhelpful with information to families. Their poor behavior should be reported every time as it’s sad individuals of this nature are employed in the customer service sector.

Well, my first experience there sucked, a few years ago. Terrible service, and they did not send me my new card for months, and I had to go pay again because they said that I had never gone in and paid! Today, I went in to change my name and gender and request a new card. I went just before 9 am and there was already a line of about 15 people waiting for them to open. They have limited hours of 9−3pm M, T, TH, F and 9 – 12 Wed. I walked in and it took about 10 minutes to get up to the computer terminal where you answer a couple questions and then put in your SS number, which is readily visible by anyone who wants to watch you punch your number in on the screen (no keyboard). Your number does not show up, but the «keypad» onscreen has large numbers and like I said, anyone who looked could get your SS number quite easily, so beware of that. When you’re done you get a printed out number and go sit down. I sat for about 20 more minutes until my number was called. The whole office is pretty open, so if your request is somewhat private in nature, as mine was, you should keep your voice down. The person who helped me, Donna, was incredibly nice and completely respectful. She took care of my issue quickly and said my new card would arrive in 2 – 3 weeks but that my name/​gender would be «in the system» tomorrow. If you’re ready to wait to get in, and wait once you’re in the small office, it’s not a bad place. I’d rather go here than downtown!

My expectations were very low — as if I were going to the dreaded «DMV» — however, I have had great experiences at DMV and I had a great experience at the Social Security office at Haller Lake. After squeezing my rig into one of the skinny but numerous parking spots, making my way through the double doors, past the uninformed but engaged and professional security person and taking «a number» — I waited maybe 10 minutes. Others in the waiting room were, well, entertaining, and there was a flat screen on the wall with various bits of social security administration advertisements and information for those who didn’t bring a book. When my number was called I was directed to a rather private counter and the staff person resolved all of my issues. #1 I had my SS card confiscated when I was in my 20s because the SSA issued my number to another person — so now have one number associated with my education and another with my work (AWKWARD); #2 because of that not all of my earning had been posted to my «new» ss#; and #3, I can’t find my ss card. She was able to find all my W-​2 that were is some kind of suspended file and get them properly recorded, she made a request to have my two ss numbers linked (os if I apply for a new job there will be an explanation in the SSA records about their mistake resulting in me having two numbers, and she ordered me a new card. I was out of the building in 30 minutes! Holy smokes — whodathunkit?

Drove up here instead of going to the downtown Seattle office — and I’d recommend doing so for anyone else looking to avoid major aggravation. We went for an official name change, downloaded the ss-​5 form in advance and had it ready to go. We went about 930am on a Monday morning. Wait time? About 15 minutes. The actual ‘interview’ was maybe 5 minutes, if that.
It’s difficult giving ANY government-​agency type office 5 stars, but truly this is a relatively painless place to go.

I have never had such an easy experience at a government office. I was in and out in 10 minutes getting my name changed after getting married. I went at 10am on a Friday if that helps anyone out!

I had a problem with number of credits. The person I worked with went out of her way to look into the issue and help. I was very appreciative.

The visit here to order a replacement social security card was surprisingly easy.
We had our paperwork printed and filled out before coming here which probably helped and arrived around 2pm on a weekday afternoon.
After about an hour we were out the door! The promise of a shiny new soc card to arrive in 2 weeks. :)
We tried this before at the Lynnwood location and there was a terrible wait, however, a sign there suggested that they can accept appointments!
Edited to add: We got the card today!

I’ve had to come to this office 4 times in 3 years (marriage, baby, & 2 au pairs) and every visit has been refreshingly free from hassle. Yes, you have to wait a while, but it’s orderly and reasonably pleasant in there, and, most importantly, everyone has been really polite and even friendly. I’ve had none of the eye-​rolling and huffing and puffing I’m accustomed to getting at bureacratic flourescent-​lit government offices.