Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
If you cannot submit your application online:
- You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); or
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to our offices are by appointment only for certain services. Please visit our Coronavirus page to see if you may be eligible for an in-person appointment.
If you live outside the U.S. you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence.
Retirement or Spouse's Benefits
You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to start no more than four months in the future.
If you qualify for both retirement and spouse's benefits, please read:
If you are eligible for a spouse's benefit and your own retirement benefit
If you are almost 65, your application for benefits will include Medicare.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Retirement Benefits
- Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Disability Benefits
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
If you are almost 65 but you don't want your retirement benefits to start, you can just apply online for Medicare using the "Retirement/Medicare Benefits" application.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Medicare
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
How Do I Apply For SSI?
Survivors Benefits
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors' benefits online.
If you need to report a death or apply for survivors' benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 AM and 7 PM Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office.
In most cases, the funeral home will report the person's death to Social Security. If you want them to do that, you will need to give the deceased's Social Security Number to the funeral director so they can make the report.
If you are getting benefits on your spouse's or parent's record:
- We'll automatically change any monthly benefits to survivor benefits after the death is reported to us.
- We may be able to pay the Special Lump Sum Death Benefit automatically.
If you are getting retirement or disability benefits on your own record, you will need to apply for the survivor benefits. We will check to see whether you can get a higher benefit as a widow or widower.
If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivor benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Widows/Widowers or Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits
- Child's Benefits
- Mother's or Father's Benefits
- Lump-Sum Death Payment
- Parent's Benefits
(You must have been dependent on your child at the time of his or her death.)
Children's Benefits
You cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read:
Information You Need to Apply for Child's Benefits
Check the Status of Your Application
After you apply, you can check the status of your application online. You will need your Social Security number and confirmation that you received when you applied to use this service.
Understanding SSI Home Page / Understanding Supplemental Security Income Documents You May Need When You Apply You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for another. The lists are not all–inclusive. We will tell you what you need and
what other documents are acceptable. We may be able to help you get them if you are having trouble.DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED WHEN YOU APPLY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER
You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits. PROOF OF AGE
| If you already proved your age when you applied for Social Security benefits, you do not need to prove it again for SSI. |
CITIZENSHIP OR ALIEN STATUS RECORD
If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:
If you are an alien, examples of documents you may need are:
If you are an alien who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may need your military discharge paper (form DD–214).
PROOF OF INCOME
If you have income, you may need to provide the following:
PROOF OF RESOURCES
PROOF OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
MEDICAL SOURCES (IF YOU ARE FILING AS BLIND OR DISABLED)
WORK HISTORY
OTHER SOURCES
If you are applying as a disabled child, or on behalf of a disabled child, we need the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (for example, teachers or caregivers) who can provide information about how the child’s medical condition affects his or her daily activities. Also, if the child has an individualized education plan (IEP) at his or her school, it is helpful to submit a copy of the plan.