Long wait but friendly staff. The facility was well managed with security. The staff was knowledgeable about our process and provided next steps based on Federal Law. read more

Understaffed federal employees doing the very best they can with limited federal budget. Don't go on Monday as that is busiest day. SSA now requires an appointment for most so call first and get an appointment. read more

they printed my daughter's last name in the wrong way although they have her last card with them also I show her documents and when I try to fix it, they keep refusing to fix it, I have been there six times without anything. I don't know how I can correct my daughter's last name. GH read more

Leans too much on supporting illegals or undocumented employees. Typists are exceptional however, i feel aggravated for the transgendered ladies who spit on me. read more

Easily the most frustrating experience I've ever had with a government office. Wait was very short, but then as soon as I saw the person at the window she told me "why are you here? Go somewhere else." I was shocked. Zero help. read more

I sit here, 5-yrs. later, another SSA office, another horrible experience. We got here at 920 am - with a 4-month old, boy able to get here any sooner. When we got here, the line was only 20-deep, not bad. What was intolerable was the very curt security guard who barked out orders in the most demeaning tone possible. We get it, you don't like your job. Or your just tired of the day-in, day-out monotony of your job, but if people don't hear your instructions because you cane step further than 5-steps from the door, don't be surprised when they do the opposite of what you asked Once you get inside, you still have to wait, at least for us over 2-hrs in another line just to get a number to sit and wait to be called. Ridiculous. We live in an age of technology where there is absolutely no excuse for still using meet and greet methods to conduct business. McDonalds figured it out with self-serve kiosks, and they serve more people per day then you do. Heck, even grocery store delis have figured out an automated process to expedite people and out the door. So why can't our government? The only justice in this world has to be that Social Security truly is economic levelizer In our government bureaucracy. When you pull up to the parking lot you see Jaguars, BMWs, Range Rovers parked next to beat up jalopies and rundown cars. It's been interesting to watch old white dudes that probably only get close to minorities in restaurants in the service industry have to stand in line with them waiting to conduct business. I will say the benefit of staying here and Social Security for 3+ hours is watching this amazing Social Experiment playout. read more

Go in the afternoon. It's not busy and the staff was cool. In and out in 20. (Yelp wants me to write more words for some reason.) read more

I will never strike gold or hit the lottery; but I must say my experience applying for a replacement Social Security Card and adding suffix to my name will make up the difference. Office opens at 9:00 I arrive at 9:10 wait 5 minutes to get a ticket to see an agent, 10 minutes later I am presenting my documents, pre-filled the application and after a few questions, she hands me a receipt and tells me my new card will arrive in less than two weeks. Total time in office 20 minutes. Coffee in my coffee cup in the car was still warm. read more

The office was very clean and professional. I went in just before closing ! The staff ! The nice lady at the window was very pleasant. I thought they would be somewhat annoyed with me because i got there at 4pm and they were closing at 4:30pm . But they were cheerful and respectful. I didn't have to wait at all! Thank you so much !! I went in also "it was Friday " . Thumbs up to the staff ! Have a great weekend ! read more

If you can Avoid This place please do so.. I have been here since 10AM! And still waiting JUST TO GRAB A NUMBER! Im sure this people know how busy it gets here so there for they should have 2windows open to give out numbers! This is super crazy! They have 26WINDOWS however about 10open for service! WTH! And You ask "security guards" for some assist.. All they hit you with is "sorry do not work here , u need to make a line" dont work here but its inside the building!? read more

I understand why all the reviews are so negative.. it's a government business so of course there is going to be negative things said. But I had such an amazing experience. I just got married and came to change my last name. I got there at 9 and stood in line for not even 5 minutes, I got my number in the next 2! I was seen, dealt with and gone before 9:30. To be fair I did all the paperwork before I go there so it sped up the process a lot! The women that worked with me was super helpful and was very clear about everything. read more

This place is a nightmare! I agree with all the negative comments. I spent 4 hours at this place and did not accomplish anything. Very unhelpful staff who could not care less about one. I have to go back again with more documents and an dreading the thought I Of going back there! I hope I will have better luck next time. Bring all the documents that could possibly cross your mind and hope it will all work out. And BE VERY PATIENT. Expect to spend several hours. read more

I needed to pay a visit to this office to update my SSN information. I came with the full understanding that I may be waiting for a considerable amount of time and that I may encounter endless lines. I went to the office on a Tuesday at 11am. There were no lines when I walked in. A security personnel directed me to the window for check-in. I presented the purpose of my visit and was promptly given a number as well as a form I needed to fill out. I barely filled half of the form when my number was called. I went to my window. The officer that helped me was friendly and handled my case quickly and efficiently. I walked in there at 11am, I walked out at 11:10am. I'm sure that this is not always the case, but based on this experience, I much prefer this office compared to the others I've visited. Very pleasantly surprised! read more

I waited thirty minutes with a specific question. Once I got on the phone, I posed my question, was interrupted and misunderstood. When I responded trying to re-explain my point, the representative said "I let you speak; you need to let me speak. Don't speak over me." I waited for her to continue her point, when she finished I asked if she was "done" and she replied, "Yeah that's why there was a *pause*." We went on to solve my problem, once she understood what I was actually asking for. In the end I reminded her of our rocky ending, upon realizing/remembering she was being recorded for quality purposes, she said out loud "Oh, we're being recorded." and began disparaging her coworkers, their literacy, and overall capability. Trying to say my piece, I began to speak again, she spoke over me and loudly began saying "Goodbye, have a good day, ma'am!" Honestly, I've never been treated like this by someone who had never met me. I pride myself on respecting customer service representatives, etc. I did not feel like I was calling for a service; it felt like I had run into a mean girl at a party. Left the worst taste in my mouth, and if I was sure I wouldn't get the same woman again, I would have called back to speak with a manager about her abysmal manners and attitude. Long story short: worst customer service I've ever received from a government agency. Disgusting manners and attitude. read more

AVOID LUNCH TIME AT ALL COST. Unless you have 3 hours+ to spare. My interaction with staff were fine but the line and wait is really ... You need lots of patience. Bring certifications (birth or immigration), even if they didn't mentioned it through the phone or online. Go early or go near closing time. Best of luck read more

On 5/23/2019, it took me an hour just to get a ticket to get help. My timer says I have been here over two hours and I appear no closer to getting help. And my request is simple and should be accomplished in a few moments. These guys make the DMV look fast. We should put them in charge of our healthcare! read more

RUDE PHONE SERVICE. The person I was speaking with hung up the phone on me. I understand due to covid everything is slower. That doesn't give a right to hang up on the phone when inquiring questions. Just plain rude. As a healthcare professional, I do not appreciate someone who would not show the same respect that I give when I take of patients. Just plain rude. Show some respect, don't just hang up the phone when you don't feel like answering questions. read more

I'm writing this review specifically because I saw these reviews and other ones that came up when I used Google Maps and was quite worried about my impending visit. It's a government office in a busy area where not everyone speaks English. Allow time. It's not the end of the world. I arrived shortly around 1:15pm on a Tuesday to have my Social Security card updated to my married name. The place was very full. First you have to get in line to get a number. I was "first". I caught on that they wait for about 10+ folks to queue up, and then someone comes over to go through everyone. This process repeats. So I had to wait about 10 minutes standing before getting my number and a seat. Cells phone ringers are to be off - this announcement was made after somebody had a particularly loud jingle. I was called after about 40 minutes - there was a steady flow of folks being assisted. By the time I left, shortly after 2pm, the place had cleared out considerably. So maybe many folks head there on a half-day after lunch...? Do your homework on what you need. There is a secure drop-box and I think I could have sealed up and left my application, but I didn't want to part with my passport or marriage license for 2-3 weeks. Everyone was polite. Parking was a bit annoying, the immediate lot was full and many are reserved sites so you may need to walk. read more

Wow, if you're looking for a foolproof way to ruin your day, stop by the Social Security Administration. This place is the epitome of bureaucracy and government inefficiency. (Not to mention, it was really hard for me to find... Google maps took me to the back of the building, so I had to drive through the parking lot, only to find out that they're actually on the ground floor and I was a level too high...) When you enter, there is a window that you go to receive a ticket. I arrived a little before 1 PM, stood in the line to tell the woman at the window why I was there, and received my ticket at 1:09 PM (I know this because they print the date and time on your ticket, and I read it over and over again waiting for my number to be called). It's generally always crowded here, and finding a seat right away can be difficult, but you'll see people move around and you can snag a seat eventually. There is a line of numbers on the TV in the front (though the numbers on the TV don't tell you which window number you should go to, so if you miss the announcement, you're in trouble). The TV only plays reruns of different Social Security information/propaganda/commercials/whatever. You definitely can memorize everything that flashes on that screen in the time you wait. Anyway, I was R753. They have different prefixes (depending on what service you're looking to receive, I believe) such as A###, Q###, etc. I was looking to replace a lost social security card and got placed with the "R"s. They were in the 20s when I sat down. After a few minutes there, I figured the pace to be about 5 minutes per number. I finally got seen at 3:04 PM. They stop admitting people at 3 so they can get through the queue before the sun goes down. As long as you have your ticket, you're good. They won't kick you out or anything if you don't get seen before 3. Anyway, I had printed out and filled out my form beforehand (which I kind of regret doing, because at least if I didn't do that, I'd have something to occupy my time for a few minutes). The guy at the window just copied all of that information into his computer. The process took less than 10 minutes in total. Online, it said that I'd just need my passport (or some form of identification), but he also asked for my birth certificate as well. I'm glad I brought it because I'm not sure if they would've told me to come back tomorrow if I didn't. I don't know why requesting a new social security card online isn't a feature yet. It would've saved me a lot of time... They do have a few features available online, so I definitely suggest looking through those before just heading down to the physical office. read more

Took a long tine to wait to get a ticket for a person who was 99 year old just change the new address. Pkease have a line window for oldest person in the future Thank a lot read more

Oh Social Security Administration, you make the DMV seem like happy hour. You know the ticketing system at the DMV? Same idea at SSA, except you have to stand in line to get a ticket (only one line that is going out the front door) and the boards that display numbers called, does not work. So don't budge from your seat to say use the restroom or take a breather outside -- they may call your number, but you won't know because it's not posted on any of the TVs. SSA should spend less time paying Patty Duke to tell you why it's fun to retire, and use that money to redesign their system, open more lines up, and some technology that works. It's a real cluster. Take a book. read more

As usual government offices have long lines specially social security, but kudos to professional staff they have in this office. They are so patient and they woul professionally handle your case. They are respectful and they do give good vibes to the people which some ssa office lacks. read more

It seems like EVERYONE who works here has an attitude towards you for no reason on the phone. Why work here if you are going to have attitude towards everyone who calls. Terrible that's why this place has such a low rating read more

They suppose to open at 8:30 and at 8:42 we are still outside. Please be mindful of people time. Finally opened. Staff rude and no help. Security guard is rude and nasty read more

After the September 11th attacks, the Social Security Administration (SSA) changed its policy regarding the initial issuance or replacement of Social Security cards. If you need to get a new card, you have to physically present yourself at your local SSA office with a completed application, other documents (e.g. birth certificate, marriage license) and a government-issued ID to get a new or replacement card sent to you in the mail. Such was the case for me. Bring a good book or a smart phone with you for the purpose of keeping your mind occupied. This SSA office is popular and the check-in lines are long. The service a person gets, provided all of the paperwork and proofs are intact, is efficient. The Edsall Road location can be accessed easily, within the City of Alexandria, from North Van Dorn Street, or the Edsall Road exit off I-395. Have the street address (or a good app) in hand, pay close attention, and look for the appropriate SSA signage. The photographs included for this review help too. read more

Yes, the lines will be SUPER long and you'll have to wait a terribly long time. But the workers are friendly and competent. I arrived an hour before they opened and there was already a line at the door to get in! Once the building opened, they let the majority of the line inside (by then, the line was winding through the parking lot). You'll continue to wait in line inside, and then you'll get your ticket with a number on it. Make sure to bring ALL your documents, multiple forms of ID, your social security card, and any relevant paperwork pertaining to the reason for your visit. I brought things I wasn't sure they would need (my birth certificate, etc). It would be awful to wait a long time and then get turned away for incomplete documents. The workers did a good job wading through the very long line. They were friendly and answered my questions, and if they didn't know the answer, they went and found someone who did. I'd also suggest checking online to see if the services you need are offered online instead of in person. I spent 3.5 hours there! 4 stars because the workers know what's up and are respectful, but having to wait outside in the freezing cold isn't great. read more

I came here in July to process a name change because my baby was due mid August and I didn't want to deal with paperwork in the midst of labor/raising a newborn. Baby was born and HER social security card came but mine did not! I called their customer service number and they said my papers were not processed and that the last transaction they show for me in their system was from back in 2003. Are you kidding me? So I'm back here waiting for 2 hrs and counting. They even skipped my number so I had to go back to the check in window to make sure they see me. I also had to fill out another application even though I have their letter confirming that they have received my application back in July. Let's hope this time around they actually process my stuff instead of wiping their assess with my application. read more

Woefully understaffed. I waited for almost 2 hours in line, and probably had another 40 minutes to go but had to leave to go back to work. This must be what Trump meant when he said he was going to deconstruct the administrative state. What a nightmare. read more

This is regarding their over the phone service. The woman came on the line with a sigh and grumbling like I'm annoying her. Then she was dismissive and cut me off without listening to what I was saying. I was calling on behalf of my mother, but I wasn't asking about her information. I just needed information on how to set up direct deposit for my mom and what I needed specifically since I keep having to go back and forth with them. She wouldn't listen and said she won't tell me anything because I'm not my mom. I told her I understand that she can't set up anything right now, but I just need to ask questions to help my mom. She of course, cut me off. I told her to treat me with respect and professionalism and asked for a supervisor. She woudn't give me her name and she sent me to a random mailbox that wasn't set up which forced me to hang up. This isn't the first time I got treated this way from this office. They really need to address this issue. I can't believe there are people that are bluntly rude and dismissive to their customers and get away with it. read more

I went in on a Friday at 3:00PM to get my last name changed. I was in and out within 10 minutes and I was pleasantly shocked. I had already filled out my name change forms and picked up the copy of my certified marriage certificate from the courthouse. I simply bought my certified marriage certificate, drivers license, birth certificate and social security card. I was very satisfied with the service. However, I was told that I was one of the lucky ones. I literally never had to sit down to wait at all. So as a suggestion, maybe Fridays around 2:30PM-3:30PM are a slow time. Good luck! read more

So far i always went early in the morning, long wait in front of the door and than inside. But today i wend aromatic 3pm and i finished everything for less than 30 minutes!!! Ladies on the windows were very nice and professional and they knew everything needed to know regarding to my case. Happy to say great job done today!! Thankful! read more

0 stars. LOL that someone said they were in and out in 30 min for a name change. I'm going on hour 2 right now and it's looking like it could keep going all afternoon. I asked when I would get my documents back if I opted for the drop box instead and was told that they "don't know, there's no average amount of time for processing drop box documents"...ok. Great. Sorry I don't want to ship my passport off to a notoriously dysfunctional agency for an indefinite amount of time. Also, side note/business idea: people need to start opening cafes right next to ss offices. There are so many pissed off hungry people here who thought they would be done with this clusterf by lunch. read more

This is what healthcare will be like if the government runs it. A sea of bureaucracy, forms and acronyms and poor service. Line out the door. Security guard corralling and shoving "customers", no one accountable... hours of waiting and in the end I leave with my need unresolved. read more

The most unorganized and rude people I have ever dealt with. It took me from Aug 24th to Nov 8th to get my new name on a social security card and to get all the documents I mailed them returned. I had to be on top of the whole process and call biweekly. Yet, most staff members I dealt with over the phone and in person always made it appear to be me at fault and my problem. They "lost" or misplaced my marriage license, passport, and drivers license for a few weeks. Do not deal with this location, go to Arlington. It is scary how this place is being run! read more

Not sure why the bad ratings. Friendly staff, fast service. So so so much better than the office in SE DC.

Don't enjoy visiting any Social Security Administration office takes to long to be seeing, staff rude not to mention for the review that could of done through US mail or phone wast of my day why no self service? read more

I got there right when the door opened and waited for 45 minutes in the line before getting my ticket number. It was a rainy day, so we carried an umbrella. Right after we got in the door my 22 month old son wanted to open his umbrella and I was told by the female guard to put the umbrella away. My son threw a fit when I tried to take the umbrella away from him, so I said "It's not that this (carrying an open umbrella) is bothering or hurting anyone here". She said "If you have a problem, you are welcome to go outside." It's pitiful...enough said. If you are heading over there, prepare for a long wait. One star goes to the officer who handled my case, he was courteous and professional. read more

On a Thursday afternoon I came in at around 1:00 to change my name. I had prepared to wait for hours, but I was in and out in under 30 min. It was easy and pleasant, just bring your stuff and fill out the form in advance. read more

This was literally the worst experience I have ever had. My mother has been living in Taiwan part-time to take care of my grandmother. She made the trip over here, partly to register for widow's benefits. We went when she first arrived to get things worked out. We waited a few weeks and still did not get any paperwork, so I called the main social security administration who said that the paperwork was sent to my old address, which was updated while we were in the Alexandria office. It was suggested that we go back to the office to get a summary reprinted for us, which leads us to this review. The receptionist at the desk was incredibly rude and incompetent. She told us that she couldn't help us and the woman who originally did our paperwork was not in the office, so no one would be able to help. We inquired when she would be back, if she was on vacation, if she was ever coming back and she said, "I don't know." She updated my mom's address one more time and then asked for her phone number. We gave it to her, but I told her that my mom was returning to Taiwan in a couple of weeks, so the woman said, "Well, they won't put anything through if she's not there for anyone to talk to." Then she said that they could do all this work at the embassy and how they weren't doing their job if they couldn't help. To which I replied, that there is no US embassy in Taiwan. She basically ended with her saying she couldn't help and that there were people behind us. I can not express how unprofessional she was. Plus, they would not give me a name or number of the branch manager to talk to. She said that they only had the number of the main US SSA. Convenient, isn't it? read more

I needed to apply for a social security number since I just recently got my greencard and didn't have one. I got there around 11 am and the line was just absurd, winding around the building on the outside. In disbelief I went inside to see if there were different lines for different errands or if there were a numbering system for waiting. I also tried to inquire more or less how long it would take to reach the counter but the staff just looked at me as if I was stupid. "Is it more like one hour or four hours" I asked but I only got a shoulder shrug back. To me it looked like I would have been an hour or two on the outside in the sun (and several more on the inside) so since that was not an option for me I decided to look into my options of how to do it at a different hour or somewhere else. I left feeling like I live in a 3rd world country. I can only agree with most everybody else here that this place is a nightmare. read more