Retirement Social Security

7 Ways To Get Social Security Help in 2026 (Things Have Changed)

Understanding these recent changes is the first step toward accessing assistance when you need it.

By Michelle Smith , Edited by Jessica Gibson

Updated April 16, 2026

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Whether you've already retired or are still a few years away from your golden years, your retirement plan likely hinges on collecting your monthly Social Security benefit.

However, recent changes have transformed the longstanding Social Security help-seeking process. Learn more about these changes and the steps you can take to get the assistance you need.

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Schedule an appointment

In the past, individuals with questions could swing by their Social Security field office to get answers. Now, you'll need to schedule an appointment in advance if you want to visit a regional office and get in-person assistance.

Ideally, scheduling an appointment should reduce your wait time when you arrive at the field office.

Reach out to your local office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible, however. Reports say some folks have found that the earliest available appointment can be a few months away.

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Use the phone, but you might need to be patient

For now, beneficiaries can still get many types of help over the phone. You can call the Social Security Administration (SSA) for help at 1-800-772-1213.

However, plan to spend a good chunk of time on hold. Staffing shortages and budget cuts mean that wait times for phone-based customer service have gone up, with some individuals reporting spending several hours waiting for someone to answer their call.

Follow stricter documentation requirements

If you're applying for retirement, survivors, or auxiliary (spouse or child) Social Security benefits for the first time, you can no longer call in to verify your identity over the phone.

Instead, you'll have to schedule an appointment at your nearest regional Social Security office or go through an online verification process to prove your identity.

If you're worried about meeting documentation requirements or understanding the setup process, call the SSA directly for help.

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Know the new procedure for changing direct-deposit information

In the past, individuals who wanted their benefits deposited into a new account could change their direct-deposit information over the phone.

Now, you must update your information in person at a local Social Security field office or via your online my Social Security portal.

To use the latter option, you need to set up multi-factor authentication, which creates a unique PIN to verify your identity before you can make any changes.

Follow the new log-in requirements

In the past, Social Security beneficiaries could use their my Social Security username and password to access their Social Security accounts. Now, individuals need to use either Login.gov or ID.me to access information about their Social Security benefits.

These options require you to set up multi-factor authentication, which typically means you'll need a mobile phone to confirm your login attempt. If you don't have a phone, other options include landline-based calls, security keys, backup codes, and video call verification.

Use the video appointment system

In some cases, and depending on the issue you need assistance with, you can schedule a video appointment to resolve an issue via a remote Microsoft Teams meeting.

Among other things, the new Social Security Video Connect system can be used by individuals who need to apply for benefits, request replacement Social Security cards, get help with Medicare, and deal with overpayments.

To schedule a video appointment, you first need to visit your local Social Security office or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. The representative who speaks with you can determine whether you're eligible for a video meeting and help you schedule one as needed.

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Go online for help

While it's still possible to get in-person and over-the-phone assistance, the SSA actively encourages beneficiaries to complete as many tasks as possible online.

Setting up a my Social Security account is the first step to doing so. From there, you can update contact and banking information, verify your benefit amount, report your wages, and more.

You can also visit the SSA's online services portal to read up on FAQs, print a SSA-1099, and apply for benefits if you're new to the process.

Bottom line

Change always comes with growing pains. But once you're used to Social Security's new help system, it shouldn't be much harder to get the assistance you need.

Understanding these changes to the system and how to work with them will allow you to get the most from your Social Security benefits and stay financially fit.

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