Social Security Administration - Westminster, Maryland

Amy G.

I understand that working at this facility is challenging. However, when someone takes the time to submit paperwork, they deserve respect. We should not be treated rudely.

Always ensure your documents are stamped by the Social Security Administration. If you drop off proof or documents, get them stamped too. This office has a real issue with losing paperwork. Even with stamped documents, you may still face delays with benefits, which can take too long to resolve.

Reporting income and submitting documents should be simple. The process needs to improve to support individuals with disabilities and help them manage their benefits independently.

Especially when the SSA demands the reporting of wages immediately. Now participants are to use the "wage reporting app."
If it does work 4 u... You're lucky.
Me, however, I don't trust an app with my personal income information.
Especially since I can't trust the people at the facility, but somehow I'm expected to trust an app with my info.?

That’s all I got!

Ashley

Not sure why the reviews are so bad. Yes, you are going to to have to wait. Thats always to be expected. I got there right when they opened on a Friday morning for a name change. I waited without an appt, for 45 mins. (I expected longer) Once I was called back, the process took literally 5 mins & I was out of there. The staff were nice & patient also so that was a plus when coming to a place like this.

Maddie B.

There is good reason for the poor reviews here. I will say first: I’m not sure that this location is exceptionally bad - I would imagine they’re all awful. Why? Because this is a government service, and it’s necessary… citizens have no alternative. They’re forced to use the SSA and visit offices like these, and employees and people in charge have no incentive to provide good service and care. We can’t take business elsewhere, complaining does nothing, and they don’t get anything from us anyway, so they just don’t care about us. That really shows.
In any case, I will describe all of my bad experiences with this office now.

First, we have visited several times and always had to wait until past our appointment time to see anyone.

Second, the security guard, other staff and the mobile notifications are all on different pages from each other. They’re disjointed and don’t work as a team. Most recent visit, we got a text notification to proceed to the window because our number was up. We got up to go and the security guard grouchily commanded us back to our seats. We tried to explain that we got instructions via text but she said nope, you wait until the staff comes out to get you. A few seconds later, staff came to retrieve us. Why use mobile notifications then? Just disorganized.

Third, calling is always a nightmare. Two possible scenarios will happen: the first is that you call and proceed through menus to hear a voice telling you the phones are too busy; call again later. The other scenario is you are put on hold for 15 minutes, after which a recorded message plays to say they are too busy, call again later. They have no call-back program (they do if you call the SSA but calling this location, they don’t) and no queue system. If you’re on the line for 15 minutes they just hang up on you and you have to call again and navigate through menus again, and it’s an endless loop. Sometimes takes over an hour to talk to someone on the phone.

Lastly, a nightmare scenario happened today! We had an appointment scheduled at this location for today. We made the appointment over a week ago. They have our phone number and email address. This is important for later. Overnight last night, we got some ice. A small amount of winter weather. It started raining and washing away the ice early morning. Most school districts only called for a 2 hour delay. The ice was all gone by 9:30 AM, only water from rain on the roads. Pretty much everything proceeded as usual. Businesses are open, everyone went to work. It was just rain. Still, in an abundance of caution, I wanted to verify that this office didn’t close and cancel our appointment. We got no email, no text message (though they are able to send mobile notifications: remember we got a text message saying it was our turn at the window?) saying that our appointment would be cancelled or rescheduled. Still, I checked google maps - hours proclaimed “OPEN” and following the link to the website led to no closure notices or warnings. I tried calling, and was met with both scenarios mentioned above - that’s normal for them. I thought if they were closed, calling them would lead to a message stating this. Because I could find no notice anywhere stating a closure and cancellation of appointments for the day, I thought, they must be open. Everyone else is. So we made the 40 minute drive up to the office to be met with a locked door. Despite having no notices sent out, no notifications…no way of seeing that they closed down for the day…they were closed. We went back to the car and sat in disbelief for about 10 minutes, during which we saw a young mother with a small child arrive and try the door, sadly walking back to their car in defeat afterwards - she probably took that kid out of school for their appointment. We then saw an elderly man arrive and pull the door fruitlessly. After a few attempts he looked around angrily and shouted a few curse words before leaving, fuming. I felt the same. I took off work for this appointment. It’s unacceptable.

Julie K.

Applied for claim for amount due in the case of a decease beneficiary May 8 2024. After approx 18 calls, messages left, promises to call me back which never happened, still nothing. Very disappointed. Even tried to go to the website and make a complaint. After spending time to write up the complaint it said unable to process at this time. Also left a message for the Inspector General but no response. I just don't understand! I am sure SSA owes a lot of other people money but they don't want to tell you. Really unethical.

Susan M.

I asked my monthly eanings for SSDI for 2025. I never received the correct document. They sent me a copy of SSA-1099 for 2024. The 2025 earrings document is needed before 3/31/25 assistant for a government program. Plus I asked for 2 copies one for my records and the other for the program.

Brandy B.

I went a few weeks ago to discuss my brother's issues. It was a lady with henna tattoos on her arms. She was extremely condescending and rude. I did not respond in kind, I just wanted to get out of there and away from her. She said that she needed documentation and could not rely on "word of mouth". I did not ask her just to rely on my word, I was asking for clarification. If it were a language barrier, I would respect that and work with it, but this woman was born here and English was clearly her first language so I am unsure why she would say this is unless she is on a monumental power trip.

When I asked what would happen if I brought such docs, she said, "we'd have to look at it, we are a federal agency with our own rules and regulations"

Of course you are! That's why I was there asking questions!

Not only was she nasty, she was completely and utterly useless. Seemingly, more interested in power tripping than doing her job. My husband had to go to another ss office and speak to a ss employee who actually knew what she was talking about. This employee put a freeze on my brother's check, which needed to happen.

I called the federal ss complaint line on the first employee. Call and complain if they are not professional. They take it seriously. The rep I was talking to on the phone could also not understand why she behaved this way.

Social security overall is usually pretty good with helpful staff who know what they are talking about. That is not the case in Westminster.

Leslie C.

Went to the Westminster SS today and was a little hesitant after reading reviews. I had no idea what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised. I had 2 people in front of me and it moved very quickly. I was assisted by Perez who was wonderful; polite, friendly and efficient. I was at his window for less than 5 minutes and left feeling confident that my issue has been handled and no more phone calls/in person visits will be necessary. Thank you Perez.

Edith L.

When I finally got through to someone (tried numerous times over the last month and was on hold for very extensive periods of time) they were rude, spoke very fast and curt when they gave information.