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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Jerome D.
HELP!!!!!!!!!
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Susan L.
I applied on July 5th for my retirement benefits and haven’t heard anything yet. How long does this take?
P.H.
Hi Susan. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 to find out the status of your retirement claim or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
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Kathy D.
I ask questions on here and i can never find out how to get back to the blog site it takes me forever.I try and save it but it won’t let me.If someone could please help me find a easier way to get back to the comments and answers. When i finally get back to the site i can’t find any of my question 😟😟Please help; So that maybe i can get my question answered Ty Ty
Dian P.
I tried to create a mysocialsecurity account but I never got the letter in the mail with the activation code. how do I get another code sent?
P.H.
Hi Dian. 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. (Eastern Time). 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. We hope this information helps.
Von L.
This doesn’t work, spent 2 hours online between hangs up and got no help!
Douglas D.
Hello
I filled out an application. However, I get the message that I need to submit it. How does that happen? Must I print it out and mail it somewhere? What gets printed, and where does it get sent? That part seems to be missing.
Thanks,
Douglas
V.V.
Hi Douglas, thanks for using our blog. In the online application path, there is an Overall Summary page which allows you to review the information, make any necessary changes and, when ready, mark the electronic signature agreement box and click Submit Now. When you select “Submit Now”, you will be sending the completed information electronically to the Social Security Administration. We hope this helps!
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There are many benefits to having social security and this benefit is also often felt by my sbobet members.
Barbara J.
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Steve K.
I currently receive survivor benefits from my spouse. My spouse is currently receiving her benefit. When I turn 70, I will apply for my own SS benefit and my wife will apply as a survivor to my benefit. Is this something I can accomplish on line or will I need to visit a Social Security office?
V.V.
Hi Steve, thanks for using our blog. Just for clarification, if you passed away, your widow may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits on your record. Your wife may be eligible for spouse’s benefits once you begin receiving retirement benefits. If benefits as a spouse are higher than her own retirement benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, the spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your full retirement amount. So, she can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if her own full retirement benefit is less than half of your full retirement benefit.
Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready, you can apply for your retirement benefits online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance 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.