I was in-and-out in 25-minutes for my name change appointment. It honestly took me longer to drive here and find parking than the actual appointment itself. You clear security on the ground floor and the guard directs you to the 2nd floor. You check-in, wait for your number to be called, then proceed to the appropriate window. You need to call to make an appointment as they don't take walk-ins. I had to wait 30+ days for the next available appointment (-1 star for the month long wait). Not sure if it's always that way or if it's just the year-end rush. Other than that, it's fairly efficient. read more

You need to go there when you're my age I'm 66 and this stuff is confusing. So if you need money because you earned it over your lifetime, then you need to go and find out all that really bullshit that goes with it. Some of it's good some of it's not. But it is what it is. read more

I was so nervous at first! I had received a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security office who gave me an appointment time and promised to text the address. When the text never arrived, and because they hadn't asked for any personal info, I couldn't help but wonder: was that a scam or the real deal? The next day, I decided to go to the office anyway. After going through security and getting my number, I actually got to meet the staff member I had spoken with on the phone. She was incredibly nice, calm, and pleasant. She was so helpful and took the time to explain every detail of the procedure and process to me. I left the office feeling so relieved and in such a happy mood! However, as soon as I got to my car, my phone rang--it was the Social Security Administration again. I started to feel frantic, thinking something was wrong, only to find out it was the same lady handling my Medicare application. She was calling to let me know I had left my jacket on the chair! I was so embarrassed, but I am so grateful she called. Thank you so much for the wonderful service and for looking out for me! Would you like me to help you draft a formal version of this to send as a commend read more

Called to schedule a name change appointment. The lady who answered was very hasty and before we could book anything she hung up while I was speaking. Truly unprofessional. I called on June 5, 2025 at around 1:50 p.m. read more

Sat for an hour and a half only for them to tell us, "you need and appointment". Why the hell isn't there somebody at the entrance to tell you that, rather than waiting that long only to be told that they can't do anything? They'll blame it on the government cutbacks but this was happening before DOGE came into existence. They're just lousy. read more

This feedback is for contracted security. Your contracted security promoted only a feeling of danger, mistreatment and misguidance. They presented aggression due to a miscommunication of protocol upon building entry. If there needs to be only x2 guests per screening, place proper signage at the entrance. Upon arriving I entered the building to be told to wait outside. As instructed I waited outside patiently. Before they finished screening, not even provoking this treatment- they opened the door again aggresively to tell me, and I quote "you need to WAIT. DO NOT rush our JOBS". They closed the door on me.. as I continued to wait. lol cmon now So now I am asked to enter, and these are the questions asked: "What brings you to this building today?" I say, "I have an appointment" They ask "do you have an ID?" I say, "yes" While unloading all my items into the basket I wait for further instructions to pass the metal detector. They again rudely ask for my ID. I inquired if there is any signage at the door preparing the people for this screening, I get told "YES WE DO- do you want to go outside and read again?!" Niiiiice dude If your ID needs to be presented at security check in, provide proper signage. They claim the signage at the door requests these items, but they only mention items that cannot be brought into the building. This can prevent frustration and mistreatment of both staff and patrons. I recommend better training & attentiveness to your staff. I'm going to do my best to report this to the BBB and anywhere else I can blast it. Don't make it my business that you hate your job. It's rare that these days security makes you feel secure- this was the opposite. This made me feel way more in danger than safe. I hope these A-holes find peace and a better attitude. My advice, get a therapist lol read more

Social Security - Here's said sign- "laptops outside of the bag & no more than x2 guests per screening entry" where? - Public Services & Government Near Me - San Jose, California

No government office is more bureaucratic than this Social Security office. Workers there think they have power over citizens and do not care about your need even after you waited there for hours or on the phone to finally talk to someone. I was there waiting for 3 hours on Dec 30th 2024 to deliver a official document for my sister. A woman by the name of Ms Randolf told me she's made a copy and i was good to go. Now the office sent a letter saying they still need it. I called and she said i need an appointment again. When I got upset on the phone, she said she could hang up my phone call and dismissed me. That just showed in their mindset we are inferior and they have power over us. What an arrogant public servant who earn their living by people's tax money. Earlier that month my sister flew overseas here and went to the office to apply for survivor social security benefit after my brother-in-law passed away. Tino there asked for original marriage certificate, and my sister did not bring it here. Tino told her someone else could deliver it to the office afterwards and we did not need appointment. I asked Tino how would I know what day he would in the office to receive the document? He said he is "always" in the office and we were fool to believe what he said. My sister mailed the certificate to me afterwards and I went on Dec 30th. He was not working there on that day. So i waited for 3+hours and at the end this Mr Randolf made a copy and said i was good to go. Now she said everything needs appointment? What a joke. You ARE NOT there to help people, but to make life miserable for rightful citizens who need to suffer a lot in order to get what they need as if we don't have enough hardships. read more

Yes, A Lot of improvement needed !!!!whenever you need something You must go back and forth at least 2 or 3 times !!!!! First time you waited about 3 hours then when you got your turn , they will make appointment for you next time, then even though you had appointment next time, you also must wait again and again Forever waiting there to just asked for replacement social security card which is too old !!! No one care , full of people waiting in the waiting area , it is worker than DMV read more

I've always had lousy experiences at government offices, but today the person that helped me was the sweetest most personable government employee I've ever met. She was cheerful and show genuine care for me and my family. read more

Despite what yelp/google says -- THEY ARE OPEN. Appointment Only! Need to call 1-866-331-2235 to setup appointment. No walk-ins. No document drop-offs. I tried to walk-in, but was turned away and told to call. I called and got an appointment next-day, but the lady did mention sometimes appointments can be 2 weeks out. You have the option to choose AM slot or PM slot. It's just a general time for you to come: AM slot is 9-12 and PM is 1-4. I know, it can be a painful process to go through the automated calling. Here's my cheat sheet: Press: 1 - english 2 - continue your call 0 - speak to operator I waited ~5 min. If you are an elder - ask for help! If you have an elder that needs help with calling in HELP THEM. It's not very user-friendly. I felt so bad for elder people being turned away and given a paper slip with the SJ SSA# to call. I wanted to offer help make the call but they spoke very little english and with covid and all, not sure how people will respond to strangers approaching them. It just breaks my heart. 5 star for Susan the phone operator! She was pleasure to speak to. Very helpful, quick and was honest about the delays. Patience is key! Everyones just trying to do their job. read more

Social Security - Public Services & Government Near Me - San Jose, California

I arrived 20 minutes after it opened. Security didn't have an attitude like other offices I have visited in the past. Wait time was reasonable. I wanted to mention that Kelly was very helpful and answered all my questions. She was diligent and I was out in no time. Overall smooth process. read more

I needed to call SSI in Mountain View at (877) 319-0161 to renew my mom's yearly SSI. However, upon calling this number twice, the calls were automatically transferred to the San Jose office. I was told twice that this is the San Jose office, and I need to call the Mountain View office. Why do two different offices share one number? I have no control over the transfer within the SSI phone system! When the calls were transferred to the San Jose office, the staff, Susan and Limon were unhelpful. Their excuse was that I needed to call Mountain View, not them. I spent almost an hour on the phone without getting help. The SSI staff appears incompetent, unresponsive and super lazy! The sad news is that I have gone through this for the past 20 years. read more

There's 24 call up points and only 3 of the Windows are open for help. For the amount of immigrants and people in this city, you'd think our tax money that comes out of our own checks would pay for more employees to work here. For as BIG as San Jose is, this is an embarrassment. The guards letting people Inside were rude and the two guards coming into the social security place were just day dreaming. This place is a complete joke. It's sad our government workers are low staffed like this. Covid is over people. So you can't use that as an excuse. I wouldn't come here. There's no parking whatsoever and the parking spaces that ARE available only have parking for 2 hrs. The rest of the parking blocks away require more money. So once again, what is this city paying for? What are we as tax paying citizens paying for? Definitely not this office building that's for sure. California is a joke. Welcome to a blue state read more

Worst social security office. Long wait times and several empty windows with staff not calling on people. Slow data processing. Waited over an hour and still sitting while windows sit empty. Security is rude to the public. This is how we spend millions on these outdated processes. This needs to be streamlined based on whatvtakes the least amount of time to those who need more help. This is worse than dmv. At least they have an app too be able to get things done without going in. Fix yourself! read more

They only have two people working and the wait is ridiculous. There were more than 50 people waiting at a time!

I need to apply for SSI for my disabled brother who already has SSDI and a really nice worker from the Sacramento office answered all my questions last week and set me up a phone appointment for today at 11 with the San Jose office because that's where I live. He said that because I'm already my brother's representative payee, my brother, who lives in another city in a group home, would not need to be present with me. Today, a lady from this office calls me at 11:12, and says she needs permission from my brother to release information, and that I can get him on the line, or she can interview me now and get the permission later, or we can reschedule. I need to get this taken care of so I asked if she can hold while i try to get him on his group home's shared phone line and she said she could hold. I asked if she can she call me back if we get disconnected, and if I can get the phone number to call her back as well just in case, and she said yes and gave me the main office number. Of course, as soon as I tried to figure out how to put her on hold on my iphone, the call disconnected. I tried calling the number she gave me and realized it's just the main San Jose phone line, I'm never going to get back to her. I tried going through the automated system and was told by the system I was in line for the next representative, then the line went silent. Not knowing if I was on hold or not, I waited in silence for 20 minutes. Then I figured SSA always has hold music, this doesn't seem right. So I hung up and called again, this time I got the hold music! After 17 minutes of holding, the line rings 4 times... then goes back to hold. At 12 noon, it rings twice, then goes silent! Now it's 12:15 and I'm waiting again in silence while everyone's probably at lunch. Of course, the lady never even tried to call me back. I've now wasted over an hour that I had to take off from work to help my brother, plus I'm going to have to call back a 3rd time to make another appointment, then coordinate how to get my brother on the line for the next appointment. Get your information straight, don't lie and say I can call you back if I get disconnected, and get more employees to answer the calls! I don't know why I'm even bothering to write this, it's not like the government is going to look at this and change anything. At least I got to vent though, ugh! read more

Very nice and helpful staff kind to people who need help good place to visit for your social related questions.

My parents' SSI payments were discontinued in 12/21 due to the alleged overpayment which is not true. They are 89 and 90 yo old and don't speak English. I have filed a Request for Waiver for Overpayment Recovery form back in December, 2021 - faxed x2 and FedExed. I have not been able to get through to the San Jose Ca number 866-331-2235 for months now!!! after being on hold for an hour the call is dropped. I was able to make a phone appointment for them for 3/7/22 by getting through to the main SSA line. They received a call this morning with a Russian interpreter and the call was dropped. it is now over an hour late for the appointment and still no call. Does anyway know how to file a formal complaint about this despicable situation. I am planning on calling Legal Aid, but wanted to see who is the head of the San Jose office of SSA. read more

This is about the social security office on fountain ave. In san jose california next to the motel. I have extreme difficulty getting help from these crooks working there. They act like its their own freaking money they are giving out . They set you up for appointments on the phone because thats how things are done now but nobody calls you and somehow they made it to be your own fault . The bitchy lady hushes me when i raise these issues of inadequacies, as if i was a toddler asking for milk money or something . How is it my fault because she was inadequate and know nothing of her job or given positions. It is unreal how they keep your money away from you as if they've spent it themselves and dont know what to do next i was victimized every time i step foot into that office asking them what happened to my benefits. Be prepare to be bashed in. read more

Called the number to make an appointment and after half an hour of ringing the message says call back later and hung up on me. No one answers the only number to get an appointment. You cant get any help without an appointment. Complete failure. read more

The people who work there are very very rude. they yell out to the elderlies, which is call elderly abuse. they intimidate the old people because they do not want to give benefits to them. I will give them a cero star if there was a choice or -5 star if there was one! read more

If you get there early you will be in And out In less then one hour , non appointments are available! There might be a line outside but once your inside you get a ticket and it moves fast and the employees are very helpful! read more

I had a really pleasant experience here when I needed to get a new card after getting married and changing my name. The first time I came, I arrived around 8:30 a.m. I was pleasantly surprised to have less than 10 people waiting in front of me. The security guards began letting people into the building around 8:45, and I was seen by 9:15. Unfortunately I didn't have the required documents. I came back the next morning following the exactly same timeline with my documents in tow and was out by 9:20 a.m. I wanted to write this review because all the security guards were super helpful and very nice in assisting me to get to the right place. Both government employees who assisted me on both days were also very kind and helpful! If you need to visit a social security office, I do recommend this one! This place was very streamlined and worked way way better than any DMV I've ever been to! read more

With no appointment we waited 45 minutes. There were many windows so things were moving along efficiently. I paid for parking, but it's right on the VTA line, so that might have been a better option. read more

Ummm when you enter the building you have to go through a security check point...but brace yourself its a lot slower than the security lines at the airports.. Got in finally...make sure you get a number from the print screen and then you just sit and wait until your number is called... read more

Social Security - Federal building where social security office is located - Public Services & Government Near Me - San Jose, California

The staff was excellent! Call and make your appointment first so you don't have any problems. You may have to wait outside due to capacity, but the wait won't be too long. Security was really helpful and so was the social security staff. read more

The security line really needs to move faster or have a better system. There were 18 people in front of us and that took over an hour to get through. This is worse than the airport security line! When you do get through, there is another line, but with a numbering system. The wait depends on what you need to get done. The service was pleasant when they were processing our things (no attitude given). Also, I will give one of the ladies props for holding her cool when my mom and her got into a heated argument about something. When we went out, the secuity check line was empty. I guess you just have to be smart when to come! Also, there is no validated parking. read more

The wait is long .security is rude . 3security officers were really rude to some people in the waiting area .my representative was very sweet she walked me through the process the only bad thing is the plastic between us was taking away from hearing the representative when we were being asked questions had to have her repeat things over not fair to either one of us but Covid is real so it was ok. Overall I do recommend it with 5stars . Get new security because they were rude from the entrance all the way to lobby looked at my I'd 2 x and then let me in . read more

Very helpful, polite and knowledgeable staff. Even the customer support staff patiently booked my appointment and explained me what all necessary documents are required to fulfill my request. read more

To anyone who needs assistance from Social Security Administration: Do not waste your time calling the 800#, the people are rude and unhelpful (one actually hung up on me). The ONLY reason to call is to make an appointment which of course you cannot do online. Instead of all thee glitzy websites, how about an online appointment system? Why 4 stars?, All four are for Andy at the San Jose, he was very helpful, researched my issue with his supervisor and I was good to go. He actually gets 5 stars but the lack of parking not great, so deducted one star. Why couldn't the phone rep do what he did? Who knows? SSA should just close down the call centers and replace with an online appointment app, because you are going end up making one anyway. - read more

Don't bother making an appointment to come in. You will wait outside for an hour only to have to wait inside again with a number. They have 9 windows and only decided to use two of them. If you can mail in what you need to get done, I highly advise to do that and not waste your time by going and spending half your day waiting. This is worst wait times than at the dmv. read more

This particular office is not bad at all, but HEED MY WARNING: To get the best service go DURING THE WEEK and IN THE MORNING. I actually went on a Wednesday morning (in line around 9:50ish). I DID NOT have an appointment to get my name changed (hurray for marriage!) but still had no problems at all. The way it works in 7 easy steps: 1) Fill out the name change form online before you go (http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/315), print it out, bring it, a book you like and other supporting documents with you. 2) Line up OUTSIDE the building and be prepared to wait at least 10-15 minutes if you don't have an appointment or 5-10 minutes if you do have an appointment. 3) Security guard will signal for you to come INSIDE the building and will send your purse other personal belongings through an airport security like scanner. He/she will ask your reason for your visit today. 4) You also physically go through the airport like security, removing your belt, shoes, metal, etc. NO strip search. Guards - not creepy at all. 5) Once it's been determined that you are no threat to this federal building, take the elevator up to Room 244 and take a number at the self-service electric kiosk in the corner (SO EASY). 6) Have a seat, read a few pages of a book as you wait for your number to be called. I waited about 10 minutes. 7) Once your number is called, give everything (except your book) to the rep and in return he/she gives you a receipt to show that you have officially applied for a name change and you'll get your new card in two weeks. Piece of cake! Seriously, it's really not that bad, as long as you make plan to go during the work week and in the morning. I spent $1.50 parking at the 2nd Street & San Carlos garage across the street from the building. I'd definitely recommend coming here as long as it's during the week and in the morning. read more

Duration: 50 min Condition: Thursday morning from 9:30 - 10:20 AM with no appointment Details: Getting through the security actually took about 15 min. They only let one person in to the building at a time, so you will have to wait outside until they call you in. Once you are in, take a ticket and wait for your #. The staff was actually very friendly, and the place was clean. The seats are a little too close together for comfort. Tips: If you want to avoid paying lots of money for parking, park at the Safeway parking lot (2 hrs parking validation). When you are done, reward yourself with nice bottle of soda or coffee and get your parking ticket validated for free. read more

As the other yelpers mentioned, the security line is SUPPPPPPPPPER long and the wait to get through the line is SUPPPPPPPPERRRRR long! You get in line you wait! They let only ONE person in at a time, that one person must take their clothes shoes etc off as they would at the airport. It would be nice if people actually prepare themselves as they're waiting in line but NOPE! They wait until they get inside to start stripping and make the process longer for EVERYONE! Got there at 9AM took me 40 minutes to get up! Once I'm up I put in my info at the kiosk and pulled a number 2 minutes later my number was called! For faster processing make sure you fill out documents online and have it all ready! It took about another 10 minutes for the clerk to put in my info and then I was all set and ready to go! Overall it's quick to get your replacement but man that security line needs some serious work! read more

I was totally surprised. I was prepared to wait hours as I did not make an appointment. Even brought a great novel along with me. Was prepared to face mean, rude workers (none of that), wow, what a great experience. Professional, kind, knowledgeable staff. All of them, even security guard was nice. read more

They lost my IMPORTANT documents, when you call, they have your phone number if they are the one at fault so they don't take responsibility for losing your documents like passport/citizenship documents or drivers license, so think twice before you send them your important documents bc they start ignoring your calls like what they did to me(they just hang up the phone as soon as you give them your name). Very rude employees working there that are literally yelling at you over the phone. Such a disappointment. Now I'm left without getting any benefits and the lost documents that social security was at fault and not taking responsibility for it. read more

I went Tuesday Sept 22. Thanks to the person who mentioned parking at Safeway, it cost me a carton of milk, so park there and get it validated, don't pay the $8 at the garage! I arrived at the SS building at 9:20 am, NO LINE, repeat NO LINE!!! Went straight upstairs, got my ticket instantly, had the form filled out already (download it online), waited about 1 minute, then my number was called, took 5 mins and I was done!!!! I asked the clerk (who was super nice and friendly) why it was so quiet and he told me that it's the end of the fiscal year, and that usually Tuesday and Friday are their busiest days. Lucky? No complaints! read more

DO NOT go here to do any business unless you want to burn your dough on parking and endure strip search from creepy guards as you go through the metal detector. And the wait in the main lobby is obnoxious even though there is no one waiting. They have 8 windows but there are always about 2 windows opened. Don't waste your time here! read more

Reached SSN office 1 hour before closing time . Security check - 2 min Check in ticket - 1 min Filled the SSN application form - 5 min Waited for my ticket number - 5 min Gave me a acknowledgement receipt - 3 min Came out in less than 20 minutes .....no need to submit any photocopies ....just show them the originals.. read more

I've been to the San Jose SSA for years. The staff is professional and courteous. The challenge is the capacity they need to handle, and the security check at the building entry as it is a federal government area. Once you can get to meet a staff member who is behind the window, then it is a good experience. These are professional and capable social workers. The security check at the front is the main reason I can't give it a 5-star rating. The building design is a bit outdated. The security check area is too small and allows only one party at a time, so the line is out side the building. On a winter windy day, if the line is long, it could be quite harsh for the elderly people standing in the cold. read more