Social Security Administration

I got there on a Wednesday 10 min before they opened and stood in line. I recommend this, because the parking lot is very small. Once I got in, I was out in less than 15 min. I got married and needed my name changed and a new card. They have a really efficient set up. Social Security cards are taken care of very quickly. If you’re there for something else, I can see why you might have a longer wait. As far as the security guard… He definitely is «all business», and I found him quite funny, actually! People get too offended these days. The lady I worked with was great as well.

Ample parking when I arrived at 9:50 yesterday. David who assisted me is professional and personable. He spent all the time needed to answer my questions. It was a pleasant experience. Security guard is rather surly, however.

Omg could this get any worse?
No parking, no place to sit, and 2 hours still waiting for any little bit of news. I’m not impressed.
The check in was easy but then your left neglected.
Another office understaffed.
Oh and the security guards, not nice. Rude actually.

be sure to get here early. the parking lot is super small, I got here around 8:30am and it was full by 8:45am. I didn’t have an appointment, but I was in and out of there within 30 mins. the person who helped me out was very friendly and made the process of changing my last name and getting a new social security card quick and easy. also, don’t bring any food or drinks! security will make you finish it/​trash it at the door.

I came here around the afternoon and was in and out within 30 minutes without an appointment. Which is pretty fast for places like this. Only downside of this place is the parking. Pretty small. Luckily I was about to find on right away but leaving the place there was about 5 cars fighting to get parking and would let me leave.

My service was good, however it did take me a good 45 minutes to find parking. Once inside the security man was very rude. I understand that it must be a orderly manner inside for confidentiality reasons, but there’s a way to go about it, especially with elder citizens that can’t move as fast or hear as clear. Besides that my service at the counter was very pleasant and quick!

I went to the SSA to get a new social security card since I changed my name. I was very pleased by the service at this location. I went on a Thursday morning and was in and out with my name change in 15 minutes. The security guard is very friendly and helpful and the workers are efficient and professional. There is a parking lot that fits around 15 – 20 cars. Great experience at a government office (unlike the DMV).

I went to this office to pay a Medicare bill. I was in and out in 32 minutes.
Quick and courteous service.
Yes: limited parking — I was fortunate to find one open spot in the small parking lot when I arrived.

Went with my son to get a replacement card as his was lost when he moved. Wednesday was his only day off and that is the day the offices close at Noon. Because of the last minute nature of our call, no appointment was able to be made. HOWEVER, the nice man on the phone said, just get here before we close at 12 and we’ll help him. Got there at 11:50 and within minutes we were at the window. Dwayne (??) not only was efficient he was kind and I managed to get some help setting up my own on-​line SSI account, which hadn’t even been on the agenda. No one waited more than a few minutes and everyone seemed happy (unlike at the DMV) none of the personnel hurried anyone even though it was after 12 by the time some were helped. 5 Star service at a governmental agency. Who would have thunk it?

Hermes from «Futurama» would be proud of the bureaucracy that is the social security office. Anyways, one star lost due to the crappy service (the security guard especially) and another for how long it took me to get in and get out. But quick service when I was helped.

A month ago, I had a great experience at the SSA office. I arrived 15 minutes before they opened and was greeted by the nice security guy who asked what I was in for and got a number… i just got married and needed to change my name because it is the name I use in my business.etc. My number was called by 9:08am and the exchange of words and and signing took 5 minutes. Erin helped me and she was super sweet. Huge success. Tip of the day– get there early because it sounds like it gets Hectic later on in the day!

This review is of the Oceanside, CA Social Security Administration office. On Friday November 21 at 11:25 AM, my husband and I arrived at the office and found ample available parking. We were in and out of the building within half an hour with our business completed. This included getting two replacement social security cards and one statement of Medicare benefits. I commend all the staff and send special thanks to Mr. Alexander who provided exceptionally cordial and efficient customer service.

Worse customer service. Bad unfriendly security guard and no parking. Only 15 parking spots for visitors and security guard wont even tell us where we can park otherwise even though we asked nicely. I should give this place ⁰⁄₅ star.

I had a great experience here. I made an appointment to help my mom collect SS Retirement. We arrived a few minutes early, checked in, and they called us in by name right on time.
We were helped by a very nice latina-​looking young lady with glasses and wavy hair (if you’re reading this I’m sorry I didn’t remember your name!), who got my mom all squared away even without her CA ID card (we’re still waiting for her new senior ID card to arrive), set up her direct deposits, explained all the caveats and terms associated with her SS benefits, and generally made everything very quick and simple.
It seems rare to walk out of a government building thinking, «Well, that was easy» after getting everything you were hoping for, but that’s what happened and I thought they should be commended. Thanks O-​Side SSA!

Go in the morning! I came in a half hour after opening with out an appointment. I needed to change my name on my card after recently getting married. I was in and out of the office in 20 minutes! I wasn’t expecting pleasant customer service (typical stereotype for government offices) but the woman who helped me was very friendly and helpful!

yesterday morning i woke up with the long standing belief that civil service was a workfare program for people that can’t muster the basic skills to work in either the fast food or housekeeping industries.
but i rolled out of bed anyway and spent much of the day trying to straighten out my mom’s MEDICARE on the phone. finally somebody at MEDICARE told me i needed to go to the local SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION office.
today i spent three and a half hours waiting for my name to be called only to find out (after about thirty seconds) that apparently i had to call MEDICARE ’cause there’s nothing the SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION can do to help. yeah, i know the letter i got from MEDICARE has contact info for the local SOCIAL SECURITY office on the paperwork they sent me but …
everything in my experience over the last two days suggests that i may have over valued those fine folks in civil service.

God awful. Terrible. Worst experience ever in a government building.

It is rather strange to write a review to Social Security office, but I do feel the need to acknowledge the service, and efficiency of their staff and friendliness of everything that worked there. Not often you hear good things about government agencies.

Sorry to be a combo breaker, but I experienced what Glenn C. was worried about.
First and foremost, when you’re coming from the 78 and get onto El Camino Real, it’s on the right side of the street relatively in the middle of the block, going up hill. With moderate traffic, this place is ridiculously easy to miss. You’re looking for a little wooden sign that says «Social Security Administration.» Hug that right lane and let the other cars go around you, otherwise, you’ll have to double back like I did.
Now, when I finally did get inside, the place is clean, I’ll give them that… but the security guard was useless. When I first walked in, all the security guard did when I approached him is say, «Check in screen is over there.» He didn’t even hear me out. Sorry, that’s considered rude not to even let the person approaching you voice their question, regardless of how redundant you anticipate it might be.
I went to the registration screen, which was rather vague on what to appropriately select (I had recently gone on a job interview and had my card was in my wallet when it was stolen, so I wanted to get a replacement). I read online that as along as you brought in a photo ID, or a badge with your photo, you should be able to order a replacement. I got A38 — the current counter was at A32. «Sweet!» I thought, «Only six people ahead of me. Should be in and out in half an hour.»
Bull.
I sat there for an hour and a half before they got to A36. They do have TV screens that play random facts and information on expediting your business with them, but it gets repetitive fast. An older lady sat next to me since it was getting packed… we struck up a conversation and passed the time away — when she told me she was there to change her address, I recommended if she had a computer or a trusted family member with internet access, that she should go online and do it, because it would be so much faster. The wonderful woman gave me her ticket in thanks for the suggestion, and as she said, «Anything to get out of here.» She was G245, and amazingly, that number was called 15 minutes later.
When I got to the window, the man was as helpful as the security guard. When I told him my story of my wallet being stolen, he asked me for a picture ID to order the replacement. I handed him my employee badge from LabCorp.
«You don’t have a state/​government issued ID?»
«No, I just told you my wallet got stolen.»
«I’m sorry, but I need an official ID.»
«The SSA website says that you can use a work badge from your current employment. Please, I took the day off of work.»
«Sorry, I need a driver’s license or a state ID.»
Largest waste of time.
Thank God Carlsbad PD called me the other day to tell me they got the suspects and my wallet, SSN card intact.

Ok, so I realize the SS office isn’t really a 5 star event, but I gave them 5 stars because I felt they were very efficient and I was in and out in a timely manor. The employees were also cheerful, which is shocking at a government office!