Social Security Administration — Local services in La Mesa

I am comparing this walk-in visit to the La Mesa office, yesterday the 5th of April, with 2 previous walk-in visits this past September (2015) and February of this year to the San Bernardino office located at 605 N. Arrowhead Dr. in the city of San Bernardino. When I arrived, I was greeted by a helpful Security Officer explaining this office's process. In the San Bernardino office however, I was not able to be greeted by a Security Officer until I waited (with others) for 60 minutes outside the building, in 90° heat with no seating available for anyone, ELDERLY INCLUDED. When I checked into, and received a number for La Mesa office, my initial wait to speak with a professional and polite employee providing me the forms to begin filling out was under 10 minutes. At the San Bernardino office however, the wait to check in and receive a number was 45 minutes, AND another 30 minutes to see someone at a window and begin the "why I'm there" wait. I had a seat in the lobby of the La Mesa office with 10 others waiting to be helped. San Bernardino lobby was over-flowing with approximately 80 (or more?) people waiting for help. I was called to the window in La Mesa office, was met with both a professional and helpful representative and was on my way within 30 minutes total. I had an additional 60 minute wait in San Bernardino to meet with a representative (both visits). While the customer service was comparable in both offices for walk-in visits, I WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT for San Bernardino office, and I can't guarantee that your wait...

I never thought that I would review a Social Security office, but after our treatment by the security guard today I felt it was warranted. This office is usually friendly as well as providing prompt service. The security guard there this morning was less than pleasant or welcoming. I was helping my Mother-In-Law run errands, one of which happened to be a quick stop at Social Security. In tow is my 3 year old grand daughter. My Mother-In-Law stood in line, with two people ahead of her, I sat down with my grand daughter. She's learning to read and so she was reading everything around her. We were there for all of about 3 minutes when the guard comes over and tells me that I have to keep her quiet...Seriously??!! There are people on cell phones, talking louder than her. The notices posted say that children have to be supervised, which she was, sitting in her seat, not running around, not pestering anyone...she was reading. We decided to just go walk around outside because we really didn't feel welcomed there at all. 5 minutes later my Mother-In-Law is done. So, for all of about 10 minutes tops, this guard couldn't stand to listen to a 3 year old read, not scream, not run around, not pestering anyone. Please, hire someone who has a little more common sense...maybe someone with a personality. The man never even said hello. The only words he spoke were to ask to see inside my purse and to tell me to keep my grand...

Very poorly managed government service/location. Website was not accurate/up-to-date for the process of submitting a change of name (it said to drop off or mail documents). I went to the location only to find out their doors are locked during open hours due to "covid policy." Called and was on hold for 30 minutes before an employee picked up and told me I could not drop off my documents in person, but had to mail them instead again due to "covid policy" (website made no mention of such a policy despite covid existing for over 2 years at this point). Ok. Went to la mesa post office 2 minutes up the street, paid for postage and mailed the documents. Makes zero sense. Took about 6 weeks to get my documents back because they wanted to set up an appointment instead of mailing them back to me (a little ironic). 3 stars for the service, 1 star for inaccurate website and silly covid policies and very poor...