Social
Security
Apply
Online For Social Security Benefits
Apply
Online For Social Security Benefits
www.socialsecurity.gov
Why
should I apply for benefits online?
Applying for benefits online offers
several advantages, among them:
- You apply in the privacy of your
own home, at your own pace;
- You avoid trips to a Social Security
office, saving time and money; and
- Your online application costs
the U.S. taxpayer less to process.
How secure is my personal information?
We go to great lengths to protect
your personal information; we use the most secure technology on the Internet
to keep your information private and secure.
Who
can apply online?
- You can apply online if you:
- Are 61 years and 9 months or
older and plan to start receiving retirement or spouse's benefits within
4 months; or
- Have a disability or illness
that is terminal or prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
You must also:
- Reside in the United States or
one of its territories/commonwealths; and
- Agree to receive your benefits
by direct deposit to your bank or other financial institution.
What
do I have to do?
If you have access to a computer
with a secure Internet connection and a working printer, just follow three
simple steps:
- Go to the "Social Security
Online" website at www.socialsecurity.gov and
click on "Apply for retirement benefits online."
- Fill in the answers to the application
questions on your computer screen, and push the "Apply Now" button
at the end so we know when you're done.
- Print and sign the application,
then mail it to the address we give you, along with the documents we ask
you for.
What
should I have ready before I start?
- Your Social Security number and
date of birth;
- Direct deposit numbers (from
a check, or ask your financial institution for the numbers) to have your
monthly benefits deposited automatically for you each month;
- The amount you earned last year
and how much you expect to earn this your (and next year, too, if you apply
between September and December);
- For disability claims, information
about your illnesses, injuries and conditions, plus your medical care providers
who treated you and how we can contact them;
- The name and address of each
employer for the last three years;
- If you were in the U.S. military
between 1939 and 1967, the beginning and ending dates of each period of
active duty service; and
- A copy of your Social Security
Statement (Review the list of yearly earnings carefully using your own
records to make sure our information is correct for each year your worked,
especially years after 1977 and any years you served on active duty in
the U.S. military. You are the only person who can look at the earnings
chart and know whether or not it's complete.).
What about
my spouse and dependents?
When you apply, you should give
us:
- Name, Social Security number,
and date of birth of your current spouse and any former spouse(s), plus
marriage and divorce information we ask you for on the screen; and
- Names of unmarried children (your
dependent natural children, adopted children, stepchildren and possibly
your dependent grandchildren and step grandchildren) under age 18, or age
18 and still attending secondary school (below college level), or any child
disabled before age 22.
We'll need to contact you or them
later if they may be entitled to benefits, too, or if you may be entitled
to additional benefits on another person's record.
Social Security
will begin processing your claim as soon as we receive the signed paper
application.
Do
I have to go from start to finish without taking a break?
No. If you need more time, you can
stop and save the information you already entered up to that point. You can
finish the application on a different day
if you need to. When you're ready to finish applying, select "Restart Your
Incomplete Application" from the menu, then enter your Social Security
number and the confirmation number shown on the screen when you stopped.
Remember, you're not done until
you fill in the last page on the application screen, press the "Apply now" button
at the end, then print, sign, and mail the paper application to the Social
Security Administration.
 |
What documents
do I need to send with the signed application?
We'll list what you need when you're done with the application, such
as:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth;
- Naturalization papers;
- U.S. military discharge paper(s);
- For disability benefits, the two forms you completed online (SSA-3368
and SSA-827) that describe your medical condition and authorize release
of medical information to us; and
- W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year.
We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical
documents, but we must see the originals of most other documents, such
as your birth certificate. (We'll return them to you.) |
What if I decide later not to apply at all or I decide to apply in person
or by phone?
If you decide not to finish applying online for whatever reason, your should
call 1-800-772-1213 to avoid any loss of benefits.
What hours can I apply?
You can apply online at your convenience
from your home or office during the hours below (Eastern time):
Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
What if I need help?
Call an SSA telephone representative toll-free
at 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778