Getting Social Security Help

Almost every American will eventually receive Social Security, and that means almost every American will at some point have dealings with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Few government agencies have as much direct contact with their customers. In June 2026 alone, the SSA completed 32.6 million customer service transactions online, handled 5.1 million calls to its national help line, and served 2.3 million people at its more than 1,200 local offices, according to its publicly available performance data. 

You can accomplish a lot of routine Social Security business online, in minutes, with a My Social Security account. But many tasks can be complex and cumbersome and require more time and a personal touch. In this series, we’ll run through how to get the help you need online, on the phone or in person; how to access some of the most common customer services; and how to get support working with the SSA if you have difficulty doing so on your own. Plus, we list AARP resources that can help you navigate your Social Security journey.