****IMPORTANT: Social Security offices are offering more in-person appointments and have resumed in-person services for people without an appointment.
To avoid waiting in line, they strongly encourage people to use the online services at https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices or call them to schedule
appointments in advance rather than walking in without an appointment.
This Social Security Administration Office determines eligibility and pays benefits to those entitled to survivor benefits.
Determines eligibility and pays benefits to the entitled legally blind. Determines eligibility and pays retirement benefits to those entitled aged 62 and older.
Administers and provides retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivors benefits, Medicare coverage, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Hours:
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Social Security Hearing Office
This Office is also a Social Security Hearing Office
Your local field office representative is available to take your call Monday through Friday from 8AM-4:30PM.
Requests for reconsideration, hearings, and Appeals Council reviews should, in general, be requested through our network of local Social Security field offices.
SSI, SSDI Appeals:
Services the following Social Security Field Offices:
ALABAMA: Albertville, Bessemer, Birmingham (Downtown), Birmingham (East), Gadsden, Jasper, Talladega, Tuscaloosa
The Social Security Administration's (SSA) administrative appeals operation is one of the largest administrative judicial systems in the world. SSA issues more than half a million hearing and appeal dispositions each year. Under the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), administrative law judges (ALJ) conduct hearings and issue decisions. Within the Office of Analytics, Review, and Oversight (OARO), the Appeals Council considers appeals from hearing decisions and acts as the final level of administrative review for the agency.
Top Online Services on SSA.gov
You can go online at: https://www.ssa.gov for the following services. You can take care of these things without making an appointment at your local office.
Apply for Benefits
- Apply for Retirement Benefits
- Apply for Disability Benefits
- Apply for Medicare Benefits
- Appeal a Decision
Check Your Account Information
- View Your Latest SS Statement
- Review Your Earnings History
- Estimate Your Retirement Benefits
- Check Your Application Status
Updates To Your Account
- Change Your Address
- Direct Deposit Setup and Changes
- Print Proof of Benefits
- Print Out Your 1099 Form
SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are:
Age 65 or older;
Blind; or
Disabled.
If you are applying for SSI, you can complete a large part of your application by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. You also can call us toll-free at (866) 592-3734 to ask for an appointment with a Social Security representative.
Parents or guardians usually can apply for blind or disabled children under age 18. In some cases, other third parties can apply for children.
You should bring certain items when you apply. Even if you do not have all of the things listed below, apply anyway. The people in the Social Security office can help you get whatever is needed.
Please bring:
- Your Social Security card or a record of your Social Security number;
- Your birth certificate or other proof of your age;
- Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or your lease and landlord's name;
- Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own;
- The names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that you have been to, if you are applying for SSI because you are disabled or blind;
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status; and
- Your checkbook or other papers that show your bank, credit union or savings and loan account number. If you are approved for SSI, you must receive your
payments electronically. Payments may be made via direct deposit, the Direct Express® card program or an Electronic Transfer Account. For more information, visit www.GoDirect.org.
How to apply online?
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select 'Apply online for disabilitybenefits.'
Fill out the Disability Benefit Application
Answer the questions on the Adult Disability Report
Mail or take the documents to this Social Security office.
The online forms are available to you seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):
Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Opening Up a MySocialSecurity Account
If you paid in to Social Security or are looking for benefits, you will need to open a 'my Social Security' account. This is an online account directly from the Social Security Administration that lets you keep track of and manage your SSA benefits, and allows you to make changes to your Social Security record.
My Social Security Account
Getting a Social Security Card OR Replacing A Social Security Card OR Correcting A Social Security Card
1. Learn what documents you'll need to get an original, replacement, or corrected Social Security card, whether it's for a child or adult, U.S. citizen or noncitizen.
Documents List.
2. Read the instructions for and fill out an application for a new, replacement, or corrected card.
Social Security Forms
3. Social Security cards aren't processed online. Print your application and find out where to take it in person or mail it.
Missing Social Security Checks or Payments
Contact the agency. The paying agency will provide you instructions on how to file a claim
File the claim with the paying agency. (800) 772-1213.
Supplemental Security Income
Pays benefits based on financial need.
Social Security Disability
Public social insurance programs that replace income lost because of a physical or mental impairment severe enough to prevent a previously employed person from working. Monthly cash benefits are paid to the eligible individual with a disability and his or her eligible dependents throughout the period of disability.
SSI
SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. People who have worked long enough may also be able to receive Social Security disability or retirement benefits as well as SSI.
Birmingham Social Security Office
Bessemer Social Security Office
I had nothing but GOOD experiences with this office today. They were extremely courteous and helpful.
These people are so rude, even the supervisor. It's extremely difficult to get anyone to answer the phone, I tried every single hour during business hours and on multiple days of the week with absolutely no customer service. When I visited in person, the waiting area was almost empty. And the workers seemed irritated when asked any questions about my case. This is extremely frustrating. The website seems always broken and impossible to access most of the time. I suggest training employees to be kind and eager to assist, we don't want to be there either..
Because of Covid-19. I thank you all for taking faxes. It's real crazy right now on planet earth. Will send my fax tomorrow afternoon. Pray you get it.
These people have the worst attitude and customer related skill set. They hang up the phone in your face, they are NOT professional when speaking to you, and lastly, they are not informative about anything you may ask of.
The phone customer service at this location is terrible! Either I can't get them to answer my calls or get a voice mail and I leave multiple messages and they still don't return my calls. I have tried at different times over the last month typically waiting over 30 minutes on hold each time and then sent to a voicemail or I am hung up on. PLEASE Sophie Pickett call me back! I was sent a letter that I am eligible for benefits through a claim at the WSU but when I call other Social Security offices they say they can't help me. Only YOU can help me!
I have called the birmingham, alablam office 3x over 2 weeks asking for an emergency appointment - have left my phone number, email, and a mailing address and can´t get any responses
Is the office in Birmingham open? There is not a good way to get card online. they keep saying my address cant be proven. Its where I get my mail. This is for my son we have been trying for 4 months now to get his card.
Hello. I am reaching out regarding my effort to change my name due to recently getting married. I live in the Birmingham, AL area and I am getting conflicting info as to whether the Birmingham office is open to in-person appointments or if it all has to be done through mail.
HORRIBLE customer service. They told me to mail in my marriage certificate MONTHS ago with a form to change my name and it would be processed within 2 weeks. Well that was a lie. It's now been 2 months and they keep saying oh its here somewhere maybe. We will get to it when we get to it...and just check back every couple months or so. Absolutely INSANE. I should not have to pay for a replacement of my marriage certificate because they don't want to work through their mail. I wish I could be reimbursed or something for the payment of a new marriage certificate because they are not cheap and none of this is my fault and entirely theirs.
I'm having the same problem. I sent in my birth certificate and marriage license as requested. It was stated in my letter to send only Original documents: no 'copies' would be accepted, but that originals would be mailed back. This was in January. It is now almost June. I still don't have my documents back. I have talked with this woman, and she promised me she would contact the people who had my documents, and have them sent back to me. I have called her 4 or 5 times and left messages for her. I have received absolutely NO RESPONSE in return. I realize they are busy. I understand that. It seems that we, as 'little people', have to jump through hoops, and do things exactly as THEY say, but they don't have to follow through on their promise. I kept those documents all these years; now there doesn't seem to be a thing I can do to get them back. I am so frustrated and angry with these people. I hate being lied to.
I have been trying to call my worker for a week, I leave numerous messages, I had gotten. A letter to contact her and now it is passed the time frame.
Called the SSA and was told they had no record of my paperwork that was sent to the Birmingham office. This included my marriage license that was supposed to be returned. I thought I was doing everything the correct way...I responded back within 5 days in regards to survivor benefits. I will now be losing 4 months of benefits.
Cannot get anyone on the phone. The phones just hang up. They told me they did not receive documents that I sent. I have proof they received them. For months they just continue to say this. I give them all the tracking information and still no documents. They have all my original documents and now will not answer or return a call. What's going on there. I need my documents scanned in and returned please.
To: Assistant manager, Birmingham Alabama office District Office, 1st floor I wanted to let you know about an awesome employee, Ms. Senora Trimuel. I mailed in my request for a replacement SS card, along with my passport, in January. I realize that things have slowed down drastically since the beginning of the pandemic. However, I have relentlessly attempted to determine the status. One person told me that my information was lost. Many times I was told that there was nothing I could do. Last week I was told that my information had been processed, and that I should have received an email. I did not. I was given the name of the person who processed it. I left her 5 messages. I did not receive any response from her. Today I again called. Ms. Trimuel told me, ‘the buck stops here’. She assured me that she would take care of the matter, and she did. I sincerely believe that excellent service should be recognized. Therefore, I wanted to let you know my experience.
I have been trying to get in touch with a manager for 5 months to get them to mail back my marriage license and passport and they always hang up on me or seem to can't help me
I been waiting for almost a year for the office to send me papers.
I keep checking the site to see if my Social Security has been processed and it'll be a month in a few days. I was hoping things would be done by now and my first check sent.
Impossible to talk to someone in this office. I am so frustrated. I have waited on the phone for over an hour and no one has answered! I understand a delay because of COVID but this is riduculous! Can't even speak to anyone to make an appointment.
due to health issues i really need to talk to someone about getting my disability
An hour and a half wait by phone? Seriously?
Extremely slow during covid. Applied for ss retirement benefits 6 weeks ago and I have not heard a thing.
Hello I was married recently and have been unable to come in to your offices due to Covid. I need to change my legal name and understand the forms and what documents that I need to present. My question is if I mail it in can I send copies of my birth certificate and Social Security card? Because I’m afraid to send the original through the mail in case it gets lost. If I cannot send a copy, please let me know whoI need to reach to set up an appointment. Thank you
I sent my I.d. and social security paper work to receive my social security card (hard copy). It’s been 3-4weeks now and I still haven’t heard anything back
VERY VERY VERY DIFFICULT to get a supervisor or manager to contact me back. I have spoken with a representative twice requested a contact. VERY VERY VERY FRUSTRATED! I was hoping to have my documents back in the mail but it has been 8 weeks and nothing. I would NOT use this office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Payment center from Birmingham Alabama called me I need to hem to please call me back
I was trying to find out was the inside opened
Need to change my address.
a 800 number is NO GOOD,,i need a alabama number,i can call from Philippine Islands to USA,my social security money has been STOPPED for 5 months,,,,,can you help me? thanks,James