Online Services

Our Online Benefits Application

October 4, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

woman relaxing on couch, using laptop Social Security is committed to protecting and securing the information entrusted to us. We’re constantly looking for ways for you to save time by conducting your business anytime, anywhere, using our online services.

Our online benefits application provides a high level of security and protection for the information you provide. Filing online gives you the freedom and convenience to file for various types of benefits including Retirement, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare.

Follow these simple steps to begin:

  1. Review the information on our Retirement/Spouse’s, Disability, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income Benefits page to make sure you meet the requirements to apply for benefits online and have the information you will need to do so.
  2. Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account. 
  3. File your claim online.
  4. Check the status of your claim by signing in to your personal my Social Security account.

You should be able to complete and submit your application all at once. But if that’s not possible, you can return to your application and continue right where you left off!

After you’ve completed your application, we’ll also give you a confirmation number to check the status, and information on what to do next. If we are not able to process the request, we will provide specific information on how to contact us by phone or schedule an office appointment.

Applying for benefits online is safer, easier, and more secure than ever!

Learn more by watching our videos on our online retirement, spouse’s, and Medicare benefits application and our online disability benefits application.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Related Articles

Planning Now Cuts Back on Future Uncertainty

Video Hearings at Social Security Increase Efficiency

Three Online Social Security Musts

How Social Security Helps Women Secure Today and Tomorrow

Comments

  1. CINDY O.

    I AM 62. HOW DO APPLY FOR SS BENEFITS FROM MY EXHUSBAND? WE WERE MARRIED FOR 13 YEARS

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cindy. Thanks for your question. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse’s benefits, visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced web page. We hope this helps.

  2. Jim

    I started an application but do not want to submit it. Is there a way to delete the application. I am not currently getting SS or Medicare. I have a reentry # but I am not going to use the application.

  3. Otis W.

    Cannot get to “Get Ready” page. The instructions are useless without a tab to click on

    • A.C.

      Hi, Otis. If you encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Michael G.

    Can’t find the actual application form for survivors benefits.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Michael. At this time, we do not offer an online application for survivors benefits. To learn more about benefits that may be available to you, please visit our Survivors Benefits web page. If you have specific questions about your case or to apply, please call 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to assist you or, you can contact your local office. We hope this helps.

  5. Felipe E.

    May I know how long it usually takes to process the application for retirement benefits?

    • A.C.

      Thanks for your question, Felipe. The length of time it takes to process a retirement application can vary depending on whether we need to verify documents or other personal information. If you would like to speak with someone regarding the status of your application, please call 1-800-772-1213, Monday-Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you, or you can contact your local office. We hope this helps.

  6. Ronda S.

    I can’t get past my re-entry number; it says there is a mismatch of information. I called for help, got a callback and was told to get a new re-entry number. That requires clicking on a link in a benefits table, but there is no such table shown anywhere on the site. I spent an entire day trying to apply and got nowhere. The only office has no appointments, so I am stuck since there is no one who can get me back into my application.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Ronda. We are sorry to hear about your difficulty accessing your record. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 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.

  7. Angela

    How long does it typically take between the submission of an application and the receiving of social security checks?

    • V.V.

      Hi Angela, thanks for your question. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and you can apply for your benefits online. Keep in mind that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of June, you will receive your first benefit payment in July. Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information.

  8. Claire J.

    I am locked out of the site!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Claire. We are sorry to hear about your frustration. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  9. jeff c.

    How does one go about creating an ssa.gov account successfully without being locked out for 24 hours for not being able to answer a set of impossible questions? I even had a full credit report in front of me and still couldn’t do it. I get you’ve had security problems, but come on people, this is just stupid.

    • L.A.

      Hi Jeff. We are sorry you are having difficulty with your personal my Social Security account. For assistance, please call 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” please say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account.

  10. Daniel O.

    I want to make sure I get my full retirement for 70 years old and having waited. Should my submit date be after I turn 70? Thank you.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Daniel. Social Security Retirement applications can be filed up to 4 months in advance. When you are ready to file, visit our Online Services page. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.