How to Change or Cancel Your Social Security Office Appointment

You can change your Social Security appointment online, by phone, or in person — but the method depends on how you booked it

If you scheduled your appointment through my Social Security (the online portal), you can cancel or reschedule it yourself without calling. If a Social Security representative booked it for you over the phone, or if you made it in person at an office, you will need to contact Social Security directly to make changes. The fastest route is usually the method you used to book — if you went online, go back online; if you called, call again.

Social Security does not charge a fee to change your appointment, and you can reschedule as many times as you need. However, if you cancel without rescheduling, your appointment slot opens for someone else, so if you know you cannot make it, change it rather than simply not showing up.

Key Takeaways

• Appointments booked through my Social Security can be changed or cancelled directly in your online account without calling.
• If a representative booked your appointment by phone or in person, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to reschedule or cancel.
• You can change your appointment up until the day of your visit, though calling ahead gives the office time to adjust their schedule.
• If you miss an appointment without cancelling, Social Security may close your case or delay processing, so contact them as soon as you know you cannot attend.

Changing an appointment you booked online through my Social Security

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov using your username and password. Once you are signed in, look for "Appointments" or "Manage Your Appointment" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on which version of the site you see. Click on your scheduled appointment.

You will see options to reschedule or cancel. If you choose to reschedule, the system will show you available dates and times at your local office. Select a new date and time, then confirm. You will receive a confirmation number and a new appointment notice. If you cancel without rescheduling, your appointment is removed from the system.

Changes made online take effect immediately. You do not need to call or visit the office to confirm the change.

Changing an appointment booked by phone or in person

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing). Have your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you want to reschedule or cancel your appointment, and provide the date and time of your current appointment if you have it.

The representative will confirm your identity by asking for information such as your date of birth or address. Once confirmed, they will show you available appointment times and help you select a new one. If you are cancelling without rescheduling, they will remove the appointment from the system.

Phone lines are typically less busy early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you reach a busy signal, you can call back later or use the online portal if you have a my Social Security account — you may be able to reschedule there even if you originally booked by phone.

Changing your appointment in person at a Social Security office

Walk into your local Social Security office and tell the receptionist you need to reschedule or cancel an existing appointment. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it. The staff member will look up your appointment and help you choose a new date and time, or remove the appointment if you are cancelling.

This method works if you are already at the office or nearby, but it is usually slower than calling or using the online portal because you have to wait for an available staff member.

What happens if you miss your appointment

If you do not show up and do not cancel, Social Security may mark your case as abandoned. This can delay processing of your claim or benefits, or in some cases close your case entirely. If you miss an appointment, contact Social Security as soon as possible — by phone at 1-800-772-1213, through my Social Security if you have an account, or in person at your local office.

Explain that you missed your appointment and ask to reschedule. Social Security staff can usually reopen your case and get you a new appointment time. The sooner you contact them, the less likely your case will be affected.

Changing the type of appointment or the office location

If you need to change not just the date and time, but the type of appointment (for example, from a phone appointment to an in-person visit) or the office location, you may need to cancel your current appointment and book a new one. When you reschedule through my Social Security or by phone, ask the representative whether you can change the appointment type or location as part of the same transaction, or whether you need to cancel and rebook.

Some changes can be made in one step; others require you to cancel the old appointment and create a new one. The representative or online system will guide you through whichever process applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my appointment the day before or the day of?

Yes. You can reschedule or cancel through my Social Security at any time, including the day of your appointment. If you call, Social Security staff can usually make changes the same day, though calling ahead gives the office time to adjust their schedule. If you are cancelling, do so as soon as you know you cannot attend.

What if I do not have a my Social Security account?

Call 1-800-772-1213 to reschedule or cancel. You do not need an online account to change an appointment. The representative will look up your appointment using your Social Security number and other identifying information.

Do I need to provide a reason for cancelling or rescheduling?

No. Social Security does not require you to explain why you are changing your appointment. Simply tell the representative or use the online system to select a new date or cancel.

Will changing my appointment delay my case?

Rescheduling to a later date may delay processing, depending on what your appointment is for. If your case is time-sensitive (for example, if you are applying for benefits), ask the representative how a delay might affect your timeline when you reschedule.

What if the online system will not let me reschedule?

Some appointments cannot be rescheduled through my Social Security — for example, if your appointment is very soon or if it is a special type of visit. Call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative will reschedule for you over the phone.