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10 Handy Ways to Use Social Security Online

December 7, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

man at desk on laptopThere are many easy ways to use our website. Here are some common and not-so common uses:

Apply for Social Security benefits online, of course! This is the fastest, most convenient way to apply for retirement, spouses, disability, or Medicare benefits, without visiting a local office or calling to speak to a representative.

Want access to our latest news, retirement planning tips, and sound guidance? You’ve come to the right place – our blog, Social Security Matters. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where you can watch our popular videos.

Verify your annual earnings and review estimates of your future Social Security benefits when you access your Social Security Statement, one of the many services available with a my Social Security  account.

Numbers can tell a story. Our online calculators such as the Retirement Estimator, the Life Expectancy Calculator, and the Early or Late Retirement Calculator, can be found on our calculators page.

Lost or missing Social Security card? Find out how to get a new, replacement, or corrected card. In fact, you may be able to apply for a replacement card with a my Social Security  account, if you meet certain qualifications.

Noah, Emma, Liam, Olivia…are these the most popular baby names for 2016 in the U.S. or in your state? Discover the trends in baby names, or take our online quiz to help you pick the ideal name.

Do you have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? How do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits? What is your full retirement age? Discover the answers to your Social Security related questions at our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Dream of moving to London, Paris, or the Cayman Islands? Learn how Social Security makes international payments and how you can do business with us from around the world.

Are you a veteran? Are you at mid-career? Or maybe you’re new to the workforce. Find out how we fulfill your needs throughout life’s journey on our People Like Me page.

If you like to read and prefer to know all the details, our publications webpage is a library of helpful information.

Simple, easy to use, beneficial, and always here to help you secure today and tomorrow, visit us today.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. eleanor h.

    how much actual money will i get on this raise i get 1485 amonth i am 81 years old the last little raise i got no increase it went to medicare is this the same with this raise what will my actual check be

    • Snarky

      Call 800-7721213 and ask them. We can’t help you on a social site. Also, in a few days you’ll get a letter from SSA explaining the changes. Have a little patience.

      • KOKILA C.

        THANKS. I WILL WAIT.

      • Sharon K.

        Snarky is the perfect screen name for you. Good choice.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Eleanor. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) notices for 2018 are mailed during the month of December. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!

  2. George W.

    I wanted to file a claim, for an individual who passed away and I have to stop his S S Benefits.
    I called the phone # and they said, I had a 55 minute wait.
    Like you, my time is valuable and I am not waiting 55 minutes..
    I am the executor of the will …
    The deceased is Johann Bachner; passed away 12/06/2017
    You can reach me ( George W. Kauffman) at 585 943 8185 or georgek@frontiernet.net
    Please advise

    • Snarky

      Call 800-7721213 and ask them. We can’t help you on a social site or go in to the local office. Take a copy of the death certificate in to the bank where he had direct deposit. There are a lot of ways to cut off payment. By the way, any next of kin can do the same thing, you don’t have to use up your valuable time.

      • marlene

        yeah here’s an option for you go to the local office and get in line! as of course there is no phone, only the 800 line! or you can hold the hour or longer as i am doing and than be told you have reached the wrong dept, and click start all over..,.i am so proud to pay these govt pensions as i send in my quarterly taxes.

        • Ray F.

          Hi Marlene, we’re sorry that you had difficulty reaching someone by phone. Sometimes, we experience higher than normal call volume. Generally, when calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
          Remember, many services, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits, requesting a replacement Medicare card, or reporting a change of address are conveniently available anytime at our website. When you use your personal my Social Security account, you can click on “Ask a Question” or “Talk to an Expert” for a call back. We hope you try us again, thanks!

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for contacting us, George. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue.
      Unfortunately, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to Social Security.
      If you call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance, you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or you can contact the local Social Security office directly.
      Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email.

  3. Kristine H.

    I started receiving my monthly SSDI payments August 2017 and was supposed to get my lump sum from 6 years of fighting for and appeals for disability and still have NOTHING!!!! I would really appreciate someone getting back to me some how since I cannot get thru to anyone on the phone and my lawyers letters go unanswered!!! I would say I have been very patient up unto this point. We need a new roof on our house, our garage, we have mold in our bathroom, and are behind on some bills and a lot of our upkeep on our house. I need this to get resolved as quickly as possible and am begging you to do something. 717-951-9253, 520 Hemlock Circle Lititz PA17543. Thank you

    • Snarky

      Call 800-7721213 and ask them. We can’t help you on a social site.

    • Ray F.

      We apologize for the delay, Kristine. We have referred your complaint to our Field Operations Staff for follow up and to take corrective action as necessary. We appreciate your feedback, and thank you for bringing this to our attention.

  4. LEIGH H.

    WHERE IS MY MEDICARE PLUS CARD,
    THIS HAS GONE ON FOR FOUR MONTHS WITH LETTERS BACK AND FORTH AND NO CARD YET I DO QUALIFY I AM ON MEDICARE AND AM 92 AND IT WORKS OUT OK

    • Snarky

      Call 800-7721213 and ask them. We can’t help you on a social site.

      • Joan g.

        I need a address to send my pepper back

  5. LEIGH H.

    I APPLIED FOR MEDICARE PLUS CARD AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. I NOW HAVE 5 LETTERS SAYING WE ARE TRYING TO REACH YOU ETC TC AND A CARD NEVER COMES HELP

    • Ray F.

      Hi Leigh, please contact Medicare to assist you with health plans issues. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Thanks.

  6. Alexander K.

    How long before Ryan kills social security.
    1. Independent elections – dead
    2. Ethical standards – dead
    3. Honesty and truth in government – dead
    4. Respect toward women – dead
    5. Respect of allies – dead
    6. Medical care for all – dead
    7. Fair taxes – dead
    8. Internet – dead
    9. Evironment – dead
    10. Education – dead

    • Snarky

      And yet, here you are, still alive.

      • Dianna S.

        Amen!

    • Sharon K.

      Exactly right.

  7. Yvonne A.

    TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
    I Yvonne Alexander would like to know why I can’t get S. S. I I did work plenty of jobs. Every since I was 14 years old I had a job.

    • AKA

      Asking a specific question in social media will never get you an answer since you can not and should not post personal data. If you applied for social security, you received a letter as to why you were not approved and you received your appeal rights. If you can not read ask a friend to help you.

  8. Richard L.

    My contact info is wrong and it errors off when I try to correct it

  9. Richard L.

    My contact info is obsolete and your software errors off when I try to update it

    • Carmine

      Have not received several direct deposit checks. Please help me fix that.

  10. Linda S.

    When I apply for social security online will I also need to send a copy of an original birth certificate via the mail?

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question, Linda. We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue.
      In most cases, once your application for retirement benefits is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Once we receive your application, we’ll review it. After the review, we will contact you if we need more information or if we need to see your documents.
      Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. We hope this helps!

Comments are closed.