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Social Security employees handed out a flier with a phone number and a QR code that people could scan with their phones to make an appointment. But the website kept returning an error message.

Advocates for seniors say challenges accessing Social Security help were compounded in March when the Trump administration announced new online verification procedures that resulted in many elderly and disabled Americans being unable to use their personal "my Social Security" account.

"The system is a shambles," said Gevorg Adjian, the founder of All Seniors Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that offers free medical care, supplies, and healthcare services for seniors.

After sending out a letter last month urging people having trouble with the online system to come on in, Adjian said, the administration then eliminated any kind of walk-in appointments.