General, Online Services

Check the Status of Your Social Security Benefits Claim Online

July 15, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

Woman sitting down checking information on a tabletIf you applied for Social Security benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one to see the following information about your claim:

  • Date of filing.
  • Current claim location.
  • Scheduled hearing date and time.
  • Incomplete applications.
  • Servicing office location.
  • Publications of interest, depending on the claim and current step in the process.

Use your personal my Social Security account to check the status of your application or appeal. If you have questions about retirement, disability, Medicare, or survivors benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income, visit our Benefits page.

Please share this information with your family and friends – and post it on social media.

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About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Comments

  1. Mandy D.

    Hi , I receive my benifits on my direct express card but I would like to take a percentage of it and put in another account how do I do this ? Thank you , god bless and Merry Christmas

    • Vonda

      Hi Mandy, thanks for using our blog. You cannot split your deposit into different accounts. If you have additional questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can call 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. We hope this information helps.

  2. Dennis F.

    Put in for my SS benefits that are to start Jan 1, 2022 in August of 2021. I have called for the last 3 months to the person that is supposed to be handling my paperwork. No one will return my calls or give an update on my SS benefit. I have sent a certified letter as well. It has been since August and no person, phone number, or office will give me the time of day. Why after 5 months will no one communicate with me? The person who I was told to contact was Mr. Philpson at the office located in Cutler Bay, Florida.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Dennis. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please continue to work with your local office with specific questions. You can ask speak to a supervisor on your next call. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.

  3. Kap S.

    Hi,
    I submitted my application online for full retirement on 10/20/21 and benefit to be received early 1/22. The status is still 2 of 3 per social security account as of 12/20/21. If not heard from SSA by January 2022, what is the most effective way to solve the delay?

    Thank you.

    • Mike H.

      I submitted mine on 9/20/21 and in the same boat as you, still in status 2 of 3. Was hoping to get first payment in Jan 2022. Seems like that may not happen now. Good luck!

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Kap. For more information about the status of your claim, please contact your local Social Security Office. Thanks!

  4. Susan D.

    Why is my pending disability claim not showing in my Social Security page?

    Thank you

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Susan. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” To follow up on our disability application, you can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  5. John (.

    Like many other posters, I too am waiting much longer than the 2-4 weeks suggested on the SSA website to receive the results of my application for benefits.

    I noticed “my Social Security” website provides a Birmingham address if I would need to provide any requested documents.

    Contrary to info on other SSA websites I didn’t find a method to establish federal tax withholding from my anticipated SSA benefits when I submitted my application, and certainly not for making my choice of percentages (7, 10, 12 or 22% being the only options).

    I downloaded Form W-4V to voluntarily establish federal tax withholding, and I’m assuming I should wait until I receive SSA’s anticipated approval notification before I stick my completed Form W-4V in the US Mail.

    Form W-4V instructs to send to “local SSA office”.
    Is that correct, or should I use the Birmingham address for my submission of this form?
    I’m hoping I can get this established in time for inclusion with my first benefit automatic electronic deposit to my bank account.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, John. Thanks for your question. Yes, in order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. The Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail. See our Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.

  6. Capt E.

    Hi, I applied for SS benefits on 21 Oct. Fairly quickly I have been approved for step 1 and step 2. But have been waiting for step 3 approval for some time. Can I expect final approval soon? I had requested payments start Jan 2022. Thank you.

    • Vonda

      For your security, Eric, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. 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.

    • Ivory D.

      Do I get a raise.on retired check ivory Degraffenried

      • Ivory h.

        Do I get a raise on retired check

      • Vonda

        Hi Ivory, thanks for reaching out. All monthly Social Security (retirement, disability and survivors) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022.

        The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021.

        For more details about the new COLA, visit our Cost-of-Living Adjustment information page.

    • amanda

      i need a email of my ssi benifits

  7. Phuc

    I applied for SS Retirement on September 6, 2021… it has been over 3 months and is still pending on Step 2… are the offices this truly backed up? CA, Norwalk

    • Charles S.

      I applied October 31, 2021. Also it is on step 2. Social Security should not put it normally takes 2 to 4 weeks if that is not true.

  8. Vincent G.

    I first apply in May of 2021. I was denied in August. I contracted covid19. I spoke with someone and they requested a document. I delivered the document on October 8, 2021 accompanied by a letter to reopen my case. I also made two additional documents available. Since that we are at a dead end. I have heard nothing. The residual effects of covid19 has changed my life negatively. I get tired easily and sometimes I am just week. I really want to work part time if my Social security retirement benefits was approved. It is getting harder every day. The wait continues. Maybe this year was just a difficult year to apply for Social security.

    • Vonda

      For your security, Vincent, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. 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.

  9. Tony

    I filed my online application for social security on 10/16/21 and within a couple of days it said step 2 of 3 was started…and it’s been at that same point for nearly 2 months now. At what point do I make a follow up call? It seems that there needs to be better status updates along the way.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Tony. We are sorry to hear that. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

      • Tony

        Thanks. I did call as suggested. I finally got thru after a very very long wait. Apparently this is common. Nothing further happens beyond step 2 until you get closer to your actual start of benefits. The person I spoke to was helpful. BUT it seems that this could be clearer on the website and it would avoid a lot of angst and calls if people were told more clearly what the process is. Like I noted, mine has said step 2 of 3 for nearly 2 months and it also says most people are resolved within 2-4 weeks, so of course that makes people wonder what’s really going on when nothing is heard further. Social security needs to be clearer on their website as to status.

        • Wendy

          I am very glad that I found your post Tony to save time calling – Mine has said Step 2 since 10/21 and I too was going by the statement on the Social Security Website. If instead of 2-4 weeks it said that processing can take 2-12 weeks and you should not expect final approval until close to your benefit start date people wouldn’t stress out and wonder if there was a glitch. Ironically, the “Type A” personalities who submit early are the ones most affected. Your suggestion is excellent and I hope SS updates the website to make it more user friendly.

  10. wes

    I can’t see the progress of my disability application on my computer. The section with ‘Your Benefit Applications’ isn’t there. The section shows up when I access my account on my phone. Both Apple devices.

    • Vonda

      Hi Wes, thanks for reaching out. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.