Social Security Phone Number: SSA Customer Service, Human Help Options

The main Social Security Administration phone number is 800-772-1213, and the average hold time is about 36 minutes. Fortunately, that’s not the only number you can call for help or to speak to a live person.

Below are other Social Security Administration phone numbers to try so you can reach the people you need. (You can also look for answers on ssa.gov.)

» MORE: How Social Security works

You can call the main Social Security phone number Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. You’re likely to spend less time on hold if you call at these times:

• In the morning, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Right before closing, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

• At the end of the month.

» MORE: When and how to sign up for Medicare

If you have a question about any of the topics below, one of the lesser-known Social Security phone numbers on this list might get you to help faster.

» MORE: See our list of IRS customer service phone numbers

Visit or call your local Social Security office

The Social Security Administration operates offices in every state and provides a searchable list (with phone numbers) here. The SSA has about 1,230 field offices. Field offices typically operate from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Social Security offices take walk-ins, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be seen right away. They may ask you to make an appointment for another time or day.

Go to your local embassy or consulate

There are no Social Security offices outside the United States, but the administration’s Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) partners with the Department of State's embassies and consulates around the world to handle issues.

American embassies and consulates have trained personnel to help Americans abroad with Social Security services. You can find the phone numbers to the Federal Benefits Units of various American embassies and consulates here.

These NerdWallet articles about Social Security might make life easier:

• How to estimate your Social Security retirement benefit

• How to replace your Social Security card

• How to find your Social Security number

• How to change your Social Security number

• See the pay schedule for retirement benefits and SSI benefits

• See the pay schedule for disability (SSDI) benefits

• See how Social Security benefits are taxed

• How spousal benefits and survivor benefits work

• How SSDI and SSI work

Generally, the Social Security Administration calls only people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, people who are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or people who request a phone call from the agency. Otherwise, you shouldn’t receive calls from the Social Security Administration.

Avoid Social Security scams. The Social Security Administration does not:

• “Suspend” your Social Security number.

• Ask for personal information or money in order “to activate” a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or other benefit increase.

• Threaten to arrest or sue you because you don’t agree to pay money immediately.

• Threaten to seize your bank account.

• Offer to move your money to a “protected” bank account.

• Direct message you on social media.

• Ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or cash.

• Pressure you to do something immediately, including sharing personal information.

• Demand secrecy.