By mid-morning Monday, it was business as usual at the Columbus Social Security office on Bluecutt Road.
About a dozen people waited their turn to see a Social Security representative in the reception area that showed no signs of the flooding that closed the offices for eight days earlier this month .
“Yes, we were closed for a week,” said manager Karen Denton, who referred all other questions to the regional communications office in Atlanta.
Patti Patterson, the regional communications director, said the Columbus office was closed from Jan. 13-21 as a result of flooding on the property, located at 3577 Bluecutt Road near the intersection of Highway 45 North. The office is normally open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Appointments and telephone calls were handled by other offices,” Patterson said. “Signage on the office doors provided information on how to receive services as well as the addresses for the closest Social Security Offices, in Starkville, Tupelo and Tuscaloosa.”
Patterson said most Social Security services are available online or via phone appointments. Applications for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits can be made online as well as appealing a ruling or decision.
Patterson said there are only a few services that cannot be accessed online.
“Applying for an original or new Social Security card is one of the things that requires an office visit,” she said.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.