Gary Social Security Office
808 South Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403
Verified against the SSA directory on June 2, 2026
The Gary Social Security office is one of 26 field offices in Indiana, serving Lake County and the surrounding area. It is the closest office for residents of Gary and 7 nearby communities, roughly 86,000 people. The nearest other Social Security office is in Merrillville, about 9.5 miles away.
- nearby towns served
- 7
- people in service area
- 86K
- to next-nearest office
- 9.5 mi
- offices in Indiana
- 26
- county
- Lake County
Phone
- Local:
- (866) 593-2911
- National:
- 1-800-772-1213
- TTY:
- 1-800-325-0778
Gary 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 (866) 593-2911 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 Gary office
- From Downtown Gary, take 5th Street (east) into Melton Road (US 20) to south Lake Street.
- From the interstate, take 1-94 (east) to I-65 (north) to US 20.
- Turn right (east) and travel about 2.5 miles to south Lake Street.
- The office is at the corner of US 20 and south Lake Street.
- From Lake Station, in take Ripley (north) to US 20.
- Go west on US 20 to south Lake Street.
Gary office location
Services at the Gary Social Security office
Staff at the Gary 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 Gary office
Many nearby towns have no Social Security office of their own, so the Gary office is their closest option. It's the nearest field office for 7 surrounding communities, the largest is Portage (38,192 residents):
| Town | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Portage, IN | 4.9 mi | 38,192 |
| Hobart, IN | 4.4 mi | 29,521 |
| Lake Station, IN | 2 mi | 13,160 |
| Burns Harbor, IN | 7.2 mi | 2,125 |
| New Chicago, IN | 2.6 mi | 1,980 |
| Ogden Dunes, IN | 4.3 mi | 1,169 |
| Dune Acres, IN | 10.1 mi | 235 |
Other Social Security offices near Gary
More Social Security help
Frequently asked questions about the Gary office
- The Gary 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 Gary office?
- Since 2025, the Social Security Administration asks most visitors to schedule an appointment before visiting a field office. Call (866) 593-2911 or 1-800-772-1213 to book one and reduce your wait.
- You can reach the office at (866) 593-2911 (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 Gary, this is the closest office for about 7 surrounding communities, including Lake Station, New Chicago, Ogden Dunes, Hobart, Portage. There's a full list of nearby towns and distances on this page.
- The next-closest field office is in Merrillville, about 9.5 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.