Santa Cruz Social Security Office
169 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Verified against the SSA directory on May 23, 2026
The Santa Cruz Social Security office is one of 124 field offices in California, serving Santa Cruz County and the surrounding area. It is the closest office for residents of Santa Cruz and 18 nearby communities, roughly 90,000 people. The nearest other Social Security office is in Watsonville, about 13 miles away.
- nearby towns served
- 18
- people in service area
- 90K
- to next-nearest office
- 13 mi
- offices in California
- 124
- county
- Santa Cruz County
Phone
- Local:
- (800) 593-8523
- National:
- 1-800-772-1213
- TTY:
- 1-800-325-0778
Santa Cruz office hours
Hours belowOpen 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and federal holidays.
| Monday | 9am to 4pm |
| Tuesday | 9am to 4pm |
| Wednesday | 9am to 4pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 4pm |
| Friday | 9am to 4pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Before you visit
- Most services now require an appointment. Call ahead at (800) 593-8523 or 1-800-772-1213 to book one.
- Bring a photo ID and your Social Security number.
- Bring original documents for your request, for a new or replacement card, proof of identity and citizenship or immigration status.
- Many tasks don't need a visit: replace a card, get a benefit letter, or update direct deposit online at ssa.gov.
Directions to the Santa Cruz office
- Located 1 Blk from Downtown between Center and Cedar Sts.
- Alternate Languages Available:spanish.
- For Other Lang.
- Interpreters Arranged.
Santa Cruz office location
Services at the Santa Cruz Social Security office
Staff at the Santa Cruz office handle the full range of Social Security business, including:
- Apply for a new or replacement Social Security card
- Apply for retirement, disability (SSDI), or SSI benefits
- Change your name on your Social Security record
- Update direct deposit and mailing address
- Request proof of benefits or a benefit verification letter
- Get help enrolling in Medicare
- Check the status of an application or appeal
Want to prepare first? See our guides on getting an award letter, checking your earnings record, and when to claim retirement.
Towns served by the Santa Cruz office
Many nearby towns have no Social Security office of their own, so the Santa Cruz office is their closest option. It's the nearest field office for 18 surrounding communities, the largest is Live Oak (16,508 residents):
| Town | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Live Oak, CA | 2.7 mi | 16,508 |
| Scotts Valley, CA | 5.4 mi | 12,232 |
| Soquel, CA | 4 mi | 10,721 |
| Capitola, CA | 4.1 mi | 9,846 |
| Pleasure Point, CA | 3.3 mi | 6,173 |
| Twin Lakes, CA | 1.7 mi | 5,546 |
| Seacliff, CA | 6.2 mi | 3,580 |
| Felton, CA | 6 mi | 3,197 |
| Bonny Doon, CA | 8.3 mi | 2,962 |
| Mount Hermon, CA | 5.7 mi | 1,394 |
| Pasatiempo, CA | 2.2 mi | 1,226 |
| Paradise Park, CA | 2.7 mi | 468 |
…and 6 more nearby communities closest to this office.
Other Social Security offices near Santa Cruz
More Social Security help
Frequently asked questions about the Santa Cruz office
- The Santa Cruz office is generally open 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends and federal holidays. The live status and full weekly hours are at the top of this page, call ahead, as hours can change.
- Do I need an appointment at the Santa Cruz office?
- Since 2025, the Social Security Administration asks most visitors to schedule an appointment before visiting a field office. Call (800) 593-8523 or 1-800-772-1213 to book one and reduce your wait.
- You can reach the office at (800) 593-8523 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or use the SSA national line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday.
- Besides Santa Cruz, this is the closest office for about 18 surrounding communities, including Twin Lakes, Pasatiempo, Live Oak, Paradise Park, Pleasure Point. There's a full list of nearby towns and distances on this page.
- The next-closest field office is in Watsonville, about 13 miles away. Other nearby offices are listed on this page with their distances.
- In most states you can request a replacement card online with a free my Social Security account at ssa.gov, no office visit needed. You can also check applications, request benefit letters, and update direct deposit there.