5 Ways to Apply for Social Security Benefits Online
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
We continue to make it easier for you to access our programs and benefits. Our website offers a convenient way to apply for benefits online.
You can apply online for:
- Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits – You must be at least 61 years and 9 months in age and want your benefits to start in no more than four months. Check out our Apply for Benefits page for information on how to apply.
- Disability Benefits – You can use our online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
- Are age 18 or older.
- Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
- Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our online appeal application, is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made. Please visit our Appeal a Decision page to learn more.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – SSI is a federal income program funded by general tax revenues, and helps people who have little or no income and who are age 65 or older, blind, or have disabilities. If you meet certain requirements, you may apply online. If you are not able to apply online, call your local Social Security office to apply.
- Medicare – Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older, some people younger than 65 who have disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare three months before turning age 65 at Medicare Benefits page.
- Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs – People who need assistance with the cost of medications can apply for Extra Help on our website.
We also encourage you to sign up for a personal my Social Security account if you don’t have one. Using your personal my Social Security account, you can request a replacement Social Security card, verify your earnings, get future benefit estimates, and obtain benefit verification letters.
Please share this information with family and friends – and post it on social media.
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Tags: Disability, Medicare, my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services, retirement, Social Security benefits, SSI
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Himanshu
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Singhania
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Mohan R.
My ex-wife is a Singapore Citizen and resides in Singapore.
We were married for more than 15 year before we divorced. She hasn’t lived in USA. She never remarried
Now that I am a US Citizen and 62 yrs 2 months old I plan to collect SS on my own working record.
Is my ex wife eligible for my SS.
P.H.
Hi Mohan. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to learn more about Social Security benefits and non-citizens. We recommend that individual living outside the United States contact their local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
judy k.
i am trying to get on my social security account and it keeps on saying that is been block all i am trying to do is get a proof of my sons income from social security
P.H.
Hi Judy. We are sorry that you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. You may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get an online benefit verification letter for your son. It is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter, or a proof of award letter. If you are unwilling or unable to request the verification online, please contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
KellF
I am currently receiving Survivors Benefits. I’d like to switch to my own SSI in November sine it’s more. How would I do that?
P.H.
Hi KellF. Thanks for using our blog. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, you can apply online. If you need further assistance or cannot apply online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
MARIA G.
I will be 65 in November and wanting to know how I can apply for Medicare Part A.
P.H.
Hi Maria, and thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on signing up for Medicare Part A. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare Part A online. It should take less than 10 minutes, and there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. If you cannot file online, you can call your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps!
enrique w.
Buenas ..le escribo ya que tengo desde octubre del 2020 un formulario a IRS pidiendo un ITIN y lo que va del año 2021 no e recibido nada …hasta cuando ….necesito el ITIN para pagar impuestos y no me lo quieren dar …que puedo hacer
P.H.
Hello Enrique. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov or http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial. For Social Security information in other languages, please visit us at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage. Thanks!
Carl S.
My wife and I are totally confused about having to upload original copy birth certificate…mine is a copy,thats what I was given when I went to visit my native Argentina…so if I upload that to you will it be refused???
Also will SocSec office,if I call and make appt to apply for over age 65 soc sec benefit for my wife and I (were not computer savvymuch)…will they grant us a live appt for benefit application???
Please respond.Thank you greatly
Michael F.
Carl S. There is a step-by-step video on startmedicare.us
P.H.
Hi Carl. Thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Peter C.
No one should ever apply for disability benefits online. Answering questions without knowing the correct response can be costly. I know a person who cost themselves $30 thousand by answering 1 questions wrong. There should be a face to face interview with an SSA employee or a disability examiner somewhere in the process.
Orlando G.
Could you please place very detail article about the Xtra income I received from my 15 years old son from Social security in addition to my retirement as a 70 years old. I COLLECT EVERY MONTH FROM SOCIAL SECURITY as a part of my retirement and another amount for my son.
My son will start working when he reachs 16 years old.Does he has to.pay taxes from his future job and.the income I received from Social security
P.H.
Hi Orlando, thanks for using our blog. Some Social Security beneficiaries have to pay federal (not state) income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if they have other substantial income in addition to their benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on the federal tax return). You aren’t taxed for Social Security benefits for your children. Check out our Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits web page for more taxation details.
If you’re asking about whether or not your son has to pay Social Security taxes on his earnings, there is no exemption for paying the Federal Insurance and Self-Employment Contribution Acts (FICA and SECA) payroll taxes that fund the Social Security and Medicare systems. As long as he works in a job that is covered by Social Security, FICA taxes will be withheld from his paycheck. The same goes if he’s self-employed. You qualify for Social Security benefits by earning Social Security credits when you work in a job and pay Social Security taxes.