A Trip to the Social Security Office.

[MineralMan]

I don't spend a lot of time in government offices. I rarely have occasion to go to them. On Tuesday, though, I had the need for a replacement Social Security card for a loan I'm applying for. It seems that the Homeland Security folks now insist that banks see an actual Social Security card these days. Something about the Patriot Act, they said. Like a lot of old geezers, I lost my original card decades ago, and have never needed it. I do know the number, since I've entered it on hundreds of forms.

I know that I'll have to show a real Social Security card next year when my driver's license is renewed, along with a birth certificate, thanks to the same Act and DHS rules. Oh, well. So, I'd have had to do this anyhow.

In the Twin Cities, MN, you have to go to a standalone Social Security card center to do this. The main SS office is in Saint Paul, where I live, but the card center is in a hard-to-get-to neighborhood in Minneapolis. Minneapolis is weird when it comes to driving around, and this office location is in one of the most difficult parts of town to get to, since it's on the other side of three freeways from downtown Minneapolis. Never mind, though. I got there, only getting lost once in the poorly-marked freeway tangle that is Minneapolis.

Walking in the door, the first thing you see is an armed DHS guy at a desk. Why, I do not know. You get a numbered ticket after touching a choice on a touch-screen. There are applications and clipboards, but I had filled mine out on a PDF form on my computer. Fortunately, the guard is friendly and glad to tell you what to do. So, ticket in hand, I entered the waiting area. My number is N-18. As I enter the waiting area, they're calling number N-189. My level of apprehension rises. There are at least a hundred people sitting in the chairs, waiting. Anticipating a very long wait, I chose a seat and wished I had brought my Kindle. The person sitting next to me is reading hers. Oh well. There's a big flat-screen TV on the wall, but it's off. If it were on, it'd probably have Fox News on it, like every other flat screen I've seen lately in a public place. So, I'm glad it was off.

To amuse myself while waiting, I begin looking around the room. What a great assortment of people! Every possible ethnic group is represented. People wearing garb from West Africa, Hmong grandmothers, with their entire extended families. Typical middle-class caucasians. Urban black people. Everyone was there. Typically, most had at least one person accompanying them. Kids were everywhere, running around the room as kids with nothing to do frequently do. People were talking to others who were seated near them - talking about the weather and why they were there today, and how lousy the Twins are this season.

The other thing people were doing was listening. "N-177, Window 13!" the PA system said. Window 13 was in a row of cubicles, each with two chairs and someone behind a counter handling whatever request people had. There were 16 windows, and all of them seemed to be staffed. When the number was called, someone stood up, along with whomever was with them, and walked to the window. People came and went constantly from those windows, each with some reason. Some were applying for an original card. Others were getting a SS card for the baby they were carrying in a car seat. Some, like me, needed a replacement card.

I discovered that the numbers restarted after 200, so I started listening. Finally, after waiting about an hour, I heard "N-18, Window 8," so up I got and walked to the window. There, a young guy in his 30s, with a smile on his face and a keyboard and monitor in front of him, took my application and driver's license, asked me a couple of questions, then handed me a printout to check. Turns out my mother's maiden name was misspelled. So I mentioned that. The guy shrugged and said, "That's how it is in the records." Then he looked, and saw that I had a copy of my birth certificate. "Hey...if that's your birth certificate, I can correct the record." So I handed it to him and he did just that. That's it. No fee. No hassle. I was in and out in less than five minutes. The replacement card will arrive in a couple of weeks. I left, and drove home.

Here's the remarkable thing: Everyone in the room was patient, quiet, and almost all were smiling as they emerged from the hall with the 16 windows. No raised voices. No angry conversation. No frustrated looks or voices. The process just ran smoothly. As I walked back from my window, I glanced at the other windows I walked by. Each had someone on the other side of the desk who looked friendly. All day long, these workers are asking the same questions, solving the minor issues that arise, and dealing with their job. They appeared to be as patient and unflustered as everyone I saw that morning.

Nobody had to pay anything. Everyone needed something having to do with a Social Security card. It was just a well-run thing. A bureaucratic government office, but with no reason for anyone to be frustrated or upset. Just folks getting business done with someone from the government, and getting it done efficiently and by someone with a smile on his or her face.

Cool beans, in my opinion. Yeah, it took an hour of waiting, and almost an hour of driving time, given the congestion from freeway projects, but I got the thing done, paid nothing for it, and got my confidence in federal bureaucracy reconfirmed. It all just worked.

My point? Nothing, really. It's just something I don't do regularly, and I'm glad it was no real hassle.

[monmouth]

1. I had the same reaction to my SS office here in Florida. Can you imagine?

Florida? My ex-husband and I discussed that I should discuss and get into the record that upon his demise I'm in the system to receive a portion of his benefits. I had a wonderful woman, who during the process stopped and just looked at her screen, saying nothing. I stated, by the way he was adopted in xxxx year and his birth name was xxxx. She nodded, knew I was legit and I gave her his SS number. She gave me a couple of numbers to get in touch with her upon his death (we all hope that is not in the near future but he is in frail health). She was just wonderful and very easy to talk with. Glad you also had a good experience. Can't say DMV was too bad either. If you have the paperwork you need that usually moves along quickly also.

[MineralMan]

7. I've had good luck at the DMV, too. I always have all the paperwork

and it's always in order. I smile as I approach the counter, and the whole transaction usually goes smoothly. When I've needed help, a polite request has always gotten that help courteously. It could be the particular office, I suppose, but I've never had a problem. Approach is the key. If you go in friendly, you usually get friendly. If you go with a chip on your shoulder, you get a cold shoulder in return.

Waiting is always part of bureaucracy. Being patient is a plus.

[CC]

2. And you got all that with a shortage

of employees. The Bush admin spent years not filling openings and when Obama Admin started to fill them the GOP raised hell over greedy govt. workers. Got to give them all a hand for being able to still smile and work efficiently in spite of it all. If you remember the name of the person that helped you (and even if you don't) a nice letter to SSA about your experience does get read and goes a long way to brightening the day of those working there. Enough of them and that office can be recognized by those in the upper ranks. The agency tries to reward good workers.

Would you mind if I shared your note with my mother? She is retired now but used to be one of those that did the recognizing good work. She is also still in touch with many co-workers that survived Bush.

[MineralMan]

3. Good idea. The receipt I got has an ID number for the person

who helped me. I like to write letters like that. And please feel free to share this with your mother. I'd be pleased.

[CC]

6. Thank you and

even better that you can point out who helped. These days I'm thinking any positive feedback has to be nice to hear. And I will also share. She read DU but not often and usually only the front page.

[Henryman]

4. Really nice story! Thanks.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. Plus, now SSA has George Takei and Patty Duke doing an ad campaign for them right now

I was just at an office about a week ago. For an government office accused of facilitating a so-called "Ponzi Scheme" (:eyes:), it seemed very orderly, organized, and, surprisingly, more efficient than my doctor's office.

[Lucinda]

8. After all the negativity that we read here at DU, it's nice to read

something about government working as it should, and people being kind to each other. Thanks for sharing this. :)

[jberryhill]

9. Stop following me

Bizarrely my state required an actual ss card for license renewals if you want a federally-compliant ID. I fly a lot and my passport is pretty worn, so I took the same trip in my area.

Same story. Competent friendly folks who knew what they were doing, a comfortable waiting area, and my SS office was giving away free mouse pads with a list of available services. It turns out I needed a new mouse pad, so that's the one I'm using now.

[MineralMan]

13. Hey! I didn't get a free SSA mouse pad.

I'm going back. :rofl:

[HockeyMom]

10. So glad I have a passport

Over decades I have had so much trouble with my BC. Long story, but if people don't like Obama's, they like mine even less, although it too has an official state seal. However, when it comes to STATE governments and they see that official US issued passport, the state is TRUMPED by that document. If I never leave the US ever again, I better keep renewing that passport as long as I am alive. Social Security card, which I have from the 60s, means nothing in comparison.

[spedtr90]

11. In a Soc Sec office far from the metro area...

my husband had to get a numbered ticket, even though we were the only people in the office...the whole time we were there. That felt weird. There was 1 window (of 2) open.
Husband had a pleasant chat with the guard. Looked like a lonely job.

[William769]

12. Heres one for you.

My Mother was Born in a house with a mid wife, No birth certificate ever used.

She got through life with other forms of documents. Well with the new laws on drivers licenses, they refuse to issue her a new license or ID card because she has no birth certificate. We contacted Michigan where she was Born & asked what we need to do. We were informed we have to petition for a birth certificate & the information needed is going to take awhile (my mother is 83, will be 84 next month). So why we go through this process she will NOT have Valid ID.

[MineralMan]

15. That's difficult. It would have been easier years ago, but with

patience, you'll get it handled.

[Auntie Bush]

19. "Oh goodie," said the rethug. "Another lost vote for Obama."

[William769]

20. Huh?

ON EDIT: Never mind, I get it.

[Abq_Sarah]

14. I may not have had to pay for the card itself

But getting a new card when I changed my name wasn't free by any stretch of the imagination. 160 miles round trip + 3 hours driving time + 2 hour wait + lost revenue = not free.

[MineralMan]

16. Well, yeah...some people have to travel a long way to the SS office.

You can do it all by mail and online, but you do have to send the required ID to them. My wife solved that by not changing her name when we got married. Sometimes the default setting works just fine. It's never caused us any problem, and that is her name, after all. She has an unusual last name, and rare, plus there were no boys among her siblings. Her father was very pleased that she stuck with it, too. Lots of people are doing that these days, I guess, but 20 years ago, it wasn't that common. We do keep our official marriage certificate handy, though. We've never had to use it.

[Auntie Bush]

21. Maybe that's why my daughter kept her maiden name.

Changing names can be a pain in the neck now days.

[MineralMan]

24. True. Changing driver's licenses, SS cards & passports is

a major hassle. My first wife did it and it screwed up a lot of thing for her, like a cascade of crap she had to deal with. It's your name, folks. Why change it?

[Ishoutandscream2]

17. Have had to work with my local SS office concerning my adopted daughter

Always professional, efficient, and very friendly.

[MineralMan]

25. Isn't that great to see? A government agency that's just there

to help people. And they do.

[Shandris]

18. I've had nothing but good luck with the SS office here in...

...central Indiana also. There's a rather nice police officer with a desk by the door who's there all day to flirt with the office women (alright, that's probably not his job, but you'd THINK it was by how he acts!), a nice polite guy. So different from most of the cops in my area. The office is somewhat small, only 3 windows and a room where you go for the more intensive things (like Identity Theft and whatnot, ugh). Never had to wait more than 10 minutes, and they're usually showing daytime TV or PBS, never Fox or any of that.

I rate it a healthy 9/10. If the had one of those little Culligan water dispensers it'd earn a straight-up 10. :D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

22. I'm glad to know about this.

I also lost my Social Security card many years ago, and I've never needed it before because I'd memorized the number and nobody has ever asked to see it. Guess I'd better head down to that obscurely-located Minneapolis office and get one. Thanks for the heads-up.

[MineralMan]

26. Start here:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ss5.htm

You'll only need your MN Driver's licence, but I recommend taking your birth certificate, too. You can fill out and print the form on your computer, and there are links to the location. It's on Chicago Avenue, just off 18th St. A little tricky getting there, but it's just a couple of blocks from Franklin Ave. There's a parking lot, but it's often full. Street parking is available. The Card center is at the back of the building from Chicago Ave. 1811 Chicago Ave S.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. Thanks. I'll use my passport, don't know where my birth certificate is.

I tend to lose stuff.

But I think I can find that office, I have a pretty good idea where that is.

[MineralMan]

28. You'll need your DL, too. That's the primary one.

That's all I needed. They're pretty easy with the ID for replacements. They have all the info in their database.

But, I'm a Saint Paulite. Minneapolis is very confusing to me. Now that I think about it, though, it would have been easier to go a different way than I did. Franklin is easy, and I like driving on surface streets a lot better than the 94/34W/394 mess that's near the place. Uff da!

[Harmony Blue]

23. Government works

when people that believe in government are involved and passionate about their jobs. U.S. government is one of the largest employers of the world, so efficiency is very important. :dem:

[Daphne08]

29. Yes, it does.

That is what's so scary about Republicans. They are determined to make government look incompetent (through underfunding, Reaganesque anti-government rhetoric, etc.) so they can kill it.

[Scuba]

30. Same here, tiny office staffed by earnest, hard working civil servants. n/t

[Raven]

31. I had the same experience in Keene, NH except less of a wait and

the SS people there were also extremely pleasant. I also have found that the SS and Medicare websites are user friendly. This is an example of government at its very best so...we should abolish these systems! :-);-)