Social Security does call you, but only after you have started the process

Social Security will not call you out of the blue to tell you that you may have access to for SSDI or to offer you benefits. The agency calls people who have already filed a claim, submitted medical evidence, or are already receiving benefits. If someone calls claiming to represent Social Security and you have not filed anything, it is a scam.

Legitimate calls from Social Security come from the local field office that is handling your case. They call to ask follow-up questions about your process, request missing documents, schedule a consultative exam, or notify you of a decision. The call will come from a number that traces back to a Social Security office, and the person will know details about your specific claim.

You can also call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to check on your claim status, ask questions, or provide information they have requested. This is often faster than waiting for them to reach you.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security calls people who have filed a claim or are already receiving benefits, not people who have done nothing yet.
  • Legitimate calls come from your local Social Security field office and the caller will know specific details about your case.
  • Social Security may call to request documents, schedule an exam, or tell you a decision has been made on your claim.
  • You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to check your claim status or provide information they have requested.
  • If someone calls claiming to be from Social Security and you did not file a claim, it is a scam — hang up and report it.

Why Social Security calls during the SSDI process

Social Security contacts you by phone when they need information that was not in your original process or when they want to tell you something time-sensitive. Common reasons for a call include asking you to send medical records from a doctor you listed, clarifying dates or work history, or scheduling a consultative exam (a medical evaluation paid for by Social Security).

The agency may also call to tell you that a decision has been made on your claim. Some offices send a letter instead, but many use the phone to reach you faster, especially if the decision is approval and they want to explain what happens next.

If Social Security cannot reach you by phone after multiple attempts, they will send a letter to your mailing address. The letter will explain what they need from you and give you a important date to respond — usually 10 days.

How to recognize a real Social Security call

A real call from Social Security will have these marks: the caller will know your name, Social Security number, and details about your claim (the date you filed, the condition you listed, doctors you named); the caller will not ask you to confirm your full Social Security number or bank account information over the phone; and the caller will be able to tell you which local office is calling and offer a callback number you can verify.

Write down the caller's name, the office location, and the callback number. After the call, you can verify the number by calling the main Social Security line at 1-800-772-1213 and asking to be transferred to that office. If the number does not match, the original call was a scam.

Real Social Security staff will never threaten you with arrest, demand when ready payment, or ask you to wire money or buy gift cards. If a caller does any of these things, hang up when ready. These are always scams.

What to do if Social Security calls

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security and you have filed a claim, listen to what they need. Write down the caller's name, office location, and the specific documents or information they are requesting. Ask them to send a written request to your address as well, so you have it in writing.

Do not give your full Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords over the phone, even if the caller seems legitimate. Social Security already has your Social Security number on file. If they need banking information to set up direct deposit for benefits, they will do that through a find online portal or in person at the office, not over the phone.

If you are unsure whether the call is real, hang up and call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213. Give them your name and Social Security number, and ask whether anyone from the agency has been trying to reach you. This takes five minutes and removes all doubt.

What to do if you think the call is a scam

Hang up when ready. Do not give any information, even your name. Do not call any number the caller provided.

Report the scam to the Social Security Office of Inspector General by calling 1-800-269-0271 or visiting oig.ssa.gov. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the phone number that called you, the date and time of the call, and what the caller said.

If you have already given information to a scammer, contact your bank and credit card companies right away to let them know. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) so that someone cannot open accounts in your name.

How to reach Social Security yourself

You do not have to wait for Social Security to call you. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

When you call, have your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative that you have filed for SSDI and give them your name. They can tell you the status of your claim, whether they are waiting for documents from you, and when you can expect a decision.

You can also create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you log in, you can check your claim status, view documents Social Security has received, and see messages from your local office. This is often faster than calling, and you can do it any time of day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Social Security call me if I have not filed a claim yet?

No. Social Security only calls people who have already filed for SSDI or are receiving benefits. If someone calls claiming to be from Social Security and you have not filed anything, it is a scam. Hang up and report it to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271.

Can Social Security call me to ask for my Social Security number?

No. Social Security already has your Social Security number on file. If a caller asks for your full number, it is a scam. Real Social Security staff may ask you to confirm the last four digits to verify your identity, but they will not ask for all nine digits over the phone.

What if I missed a call from Social Security?

Social Security will try to reach you again, usually within a few days. You can also call them at 1-800-772-1213 to find out what they needed. If they were requesting documents, they will send a letter with a important date for you to respond. Check your mail regularly during the SSDI process.

How long does Social Security take to call after I file?

There is no set timeline. Some claims move quickly and Social Security may call within a few weeks. Others take several months. You can check your claim status anytime by calling 1-800-772-1213 or logging into your my Social Security account. If you have not heard anything in 60 days, it is reasonable to call and ask for an update.

What if I do not have a phone or prefer not to talk on the phone?

You can visit your local Social Security office in person to handle everything face-to-face. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. You can also create a my Social Security account and communicate through messages in that account. Some offices also accept faxes or mail for document requests.