Need advice about social security office

T

Tara

New Member
I am a 78. Yr old lady in pretty good health.
I have to go to the social security office with my power of attorney friend.
I. am only going to have my direct express card money transferred to ,my bank account.

My POA said he could not get me an appointment. We will just have to walk in. Can't that be done on the phone? But I know there is a long wait time.

The trouble is that I will probably get there before him. He is sending the Lyft for me.
When I come in , do I take a number and wait for him?

What if I get called in first? I can't just say I am waiting for my friend , can I?
I need him to be with me. He is also a busy lawyer.

I know the waiting time is long. What is the best time and day to go? I want later in the week.
I picked Wednesday at 1, but I think that is the wrong time.
It is the office in norristown, pa.

Rosemary
 

I've read that Social Security offices in general tend to be the busiest first thing in the morning, early in the week, and during the early part of the month. So Wednesday at 1 may not be bad or as bad. Of course as a walk in, it sometimes is a matter of luck and being in the right place at the right time. There are no guarantees.

I guess whether or not to take a number and wait for him would depend on how long after you arrive, that you anticipate his arrival. One possibility is maybe someone at the office can advise you once you are there. If not, I would not take a number if the other party isn't expected for greater than 5-10 minutes but 5-10 minutes are just numbers I pulled out of my hat ;) I don't think anyone can say how soon after you take a number, it will be called.

Good Luck !!!
 
I would think this should be a process that can be handled by the phone. I did it that when I had my social security checks to direct deposit to my bank. You should not need to go to the office just to have that set up. You need to have your bank information, routing number, your account number and then it is all set up by computer.
 

Blessed said:
I would think this should be a process that can be handled by the phone. I did it that when I had my social security checks to direct deposit to my bank. You should not need to go to the office just to have that set up. You need to have your bank information, routing number, your account number and then it is all set up by computer.
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Thing is though ... her power of attorney (POA) said he could not get an appointment for her and her second sentence said that her power of attorney friend has to go with her. Sounds like something may be a little more complicated than an individual handling it themselves. Dunno.
 
Naturally said:
Thing is though ... her power of attorney (POA) said he could not get an appointment for her and her second sentence said that her power of attorney friend has to go with her. Sounds like something may be a little more complicated than an individual handling it themselves. Dunno.
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It must be something more than she described which sounds like just setting up a direct deposit of her funds. I hope she reads her replies. It might be better for her to call social security again just to get clarification again for instructions. The office there might do things different than my location.

An appointment may have to made by her, unless her POA has already taken over her legal requirments threw a court of law.
 
Naturally said:
And her POA is a "busy lawyer". May be best to stick with his plan of action unless she discusses actions with him otherwise.
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I did not see it was a lawyer, She referenced her POA friend. My POA is my son, he is not a lawyer but it grants him power to make decisions regarding my care, finances etc. If I become unable to take care of myself, he would have go to court with information to show that my condition warrants that the POA becomes active.

I think there may be confusion on having a POA, a POA is usually not a lawyer at all.
 
I was a senior theft victim and he volunteered to be my POA.
He is a good friend.
 
Tara said:
I am a 78. Yr old lady in pretty good health.
I have to go to the social security office with my power of attorney friend.
I. am only going to have my direct express card money transferred to ,my bank account.

My POA said he could not get me an appointment. We will just have to walk in. Can't that be done on the phone? But I know there is a long wait time.

The trouble is that I will probably get there before him. He is sending the Lyft for me.
When I come in , do I take a number and wait for him?

What if I get called in first? I can't just say I am waiting for my friend , can I?
I need him to be with me. He is also a busy lawyer.

I know the waiting time is long. What is the best time and day to go? I want later in the week.
I picked Wednesday at 1, but I think that is the wrong time.
It is the office in norristown, pa.

Rosemary
Click to expand...
I would say aim to get there later than 3:30 in the afternoon. Why? Because most people get there in the morning.

Moms with kids will go when the kids are in school. Summer is strange though, no school, but it is still usually busier at these places in the morning. Don’t get there after 4:00 though, because your local office might be persnikety and turn you away since they don’t want too many people there after closing time.

My experience dealing with calling SSA locally is that phone communication is not strong. When I have been very poor, poor enough to have a case worker, OMG, they just don’t call me back. I can leave a message, but they will not call me back.

So, like it or not, the best strategy is to show up. Have your SS card with you. If they call you before he gets there, tell them why you are there and you are waiting for him and they will send you back to sit and wait but you don’t have to go through the whole cue again.

To get any questions about this, you are better off calling the main SS number: 1-800-772-1213

Again, having lived through what I have lived through I ask this question: What if your friend precedes you in death? Who is your 2nd choice for POA? If he dies in a car accident, do you have someone else who will take over if you want or need them to? That is something to think about.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
I don't understand why you can't take care of this online. If you have or create an SS account, it might be the easiest way, unless like previously mentioned, there's some kind of complicated situation. I wonder if you could do it by clicking on Starting or changing Direct Deposit online (Social Security benefits only). Click on that after opening this link:
Social Security Administration | Direct Deposit
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It was alright. My friend met me there and we signed some papers. I did not wait too long.
 
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