Social Security Office for Cincinnati, OH 45237

I was at the SSA office on 10205 Reading Road in Cincinnati, OH 45241on February 21st 2012 between the hours of 1:45pm and 3:00pm. The young man working window #2 during that time assisted me. Before going to the SSA office I went online to see what documents I would need in order to complete the particular task I was trying to complete; that is, obtain a first time, Social Security Number and card for my one year old daughter.

The man who helped me was very rude and curt. I realize his job is long and boring and repetitive. But as one of the many tax-paying citizens whose taxes support his salary and benefits I would expect some common courtesy at the very least.

When I approached the window and handed him the application and birth certificate he told me rudely that he needed something other than the birth certificate and said " I have explained this to 30 people today". Well excuse me. If 30 people applying for an SSN for the first time are not clear on what is required then the problem is not the 30 people but the manner in which what documents are required is communicated.

I went online first and still did not see where I had to have anything other than the birth certificate for my daughter. He also did not hear me say I was there applying for a first time SSN nor did he read the application because shortly after that he told me he needed her birth certificate.

While looking over the documents he asked "So why didn't you apply for it in the hospital when she was born? Was it not convenient or were you too doped up?" I was offended and speechless. What business was that of his? He has no idea what I went through at the hospital and his comment was uncalled for. I finally muttered that it was not convenient.

Is that how employees at the SSA are trained? If he was trying to be funny he wasn't and his comment was out of line. Then after doing whatever he does he tossed the birth certificate back at me. I would say "throw" which would be more accurate but I hesitate to use language that might make it seem as though I am exaggerating.

I was appalled to have something tossed back at me as opposed to politely handing it to me. I am a customer and a tax-paying citizen and nobody deserves to be treated rudely by a federal or state employee. Of course the employees do not use name tags but the letter I received verifying that I applied for an SSN for my daughter appears to be stamp-signed by "Kevin G" I can't read the last name.

As I was leaving I passed a lady entering and I said "that man's a real peach" and she said "they are all here". What a sad reputation for government employees to have. Is that not embarrassing? You work for us. It's not the other way around! I went to the SSA truly expecting to have a decent experience. No wonder government employees have such a bad reputation.