Q “I am not able to come into the Social Security Office during normal work hours because of my schedule. Are there other ways I can get information, or file for benefits without having to come into the Social Security Office?”
A Yes, many of the services that are offered at the local Social Security Office you can now complete yourself online. Start by going to our website: www.socialsecurity.gov and under the Top Services segment, located on the left side of the web page, click on Learn what you can do online.
This will open the Social Security Online Claims and Services web page where you will find information on all of the online services. There are links that will guide you through the process of filing an application for retirement or disability benefits, enroll in Medicare, change your mailing address or direct deposit, and request a benefit statement without having to come into our office.
We also offer many of our services by telephone. By calling 1-800-772-1213, you can use our automated telephone services to get recorded information and conduct some business 24 hours a day.
If you cannot handle your business through our automated telephone services, you can speak with one of our national telephone service representatives at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
To speak with someone in the Chattanooga Office, please call 1-866-964-0029 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Note: Social Security offices will be closed Friday.
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from the Social Security District Director Martin Coffey. Submit questions by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.