Residents upset over lack of communication on Social Security office closure

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Social Security office in Wilmington has been closed to in-person visits for more than a month, which has caused frustration and anger for many New Hanover County residents.

The office, located on South 16th Street, has been closed since December 4th, with the public not being told why.

“Yeah, it said that it was open and I had planned to come today but I didn’t know it would be closed at all.,” Isabelle Litzinger, a senior at New Hanover High School said.

Multiple people showed up the office on Friday afternoon, only to be greeted by a locked dor and a sign saying it was closed.

Arthur Respass is a Carolina Beach resident who needed to get a new social security card to apply for a new job.

He said its wrong of them not to let the public know what’s going on.

“If you’re going to do this, please let the public know,” Respass said. “Like I called and everything and they told me I had to wait for an hour. I live in Carolina Beach, I’m not gonna sit there and wait on the phone for an hour when I can just drive up here and get it myself. And online, it says its open. If you’re not open, why would you have it that you’re open?”

WWAY reached out to the Social Security Administration.

According to a statement from the Regional Communications Director, the office has been closed due to what they are calling quote “water intrusion into the building.”

But the public was never notified and if you search online, the website says it is open.

While you can call or get help online, many people prefer going in person, especially if they’re doing something important, like signing up for Social Security.

“I figure going in person, maybe I don’t have the form, I have my original social security card from a number of years ago,” Jim Easop said. “I figured it would be easy to get it done in person, to speak to some of the people that are knowledgeable about it, versus just going online and maybe not answering things accordingly.”

As of now, if you want to go to an office, the nearest location is in Whiteville.

The administration did not say when the office will reopen for in-person visits.