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.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Alan P.

    I submitted an application for retirement benefits online, would like to check status of application but unable to sign in to my account. Please advise.
    Thank you.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Alan. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. 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.

  2. James R.

    I am trying to sign back into to my application. I had to create a new user name and password but I have not idea what my activation code it. I worked on opening an account about two months ago and cannot remember the activation code. how do I get a new one? James R. Boud

    • A.C.

      Hi, James. 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.

  3. Cathy M.

    Hi,
    I would like to check the status of my SS benefit application. It says “initial” since 5-23-19. I would like to know how it is progressing.
    Thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cathy. For your security, 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, 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.

  4. Gregory K.

    How do you get an appointment to your local office to apply for retirement benefits? I have tried online and keeps saying my information cannot be verified, even though it verifies it to give me an estimate of what I will receive. My local office is in Spokane, Wa.

  5. Teresa B.

    locked out of account. enter information as I had recorded for User ID and Password. What are the steps for getting this reset

    • A.C.

      Hi, Teresa. 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.

  6. Kathy T.

    My husband is nearing 65 and pre-signed up for S.S. and filled in the Medicare section. He has insurance twice from both our full time jobs. He said we have insurance but received a bill for Medicare. It will be about 5 years before he retires. He doesn’t want a 3rd insurance, how does he cancel the medicare. We have a bill for 3 months worth and have not sent any moneys for it.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kathy. If your husband wishes to terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. For an interview, he can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to his local office. We hope this helps.

  7. David z.

    Are their any benefits for care giving??

  8. Jerrianne M.

    I’m looking for copy of my original award letter. Need direction for that. Thx

    • A.C.

      Hi, Jerrianne. If you are referring to a benefit verification letter, we have good news! You can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter by setting up a personal my Social Security account online. For questions regarding your benefit verification letter, we ask that members in our Facebook community contact our offices. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call after later in the day. We hope this helps.

  9. Janet

    I want to make an in person appointment with the social security office in waukegan illinois
    can i make the appointment online. My account has been blocked due to fraudulent use and I must appear in person to do any changes on my account. The office is now closed and will no open until 9 am CST and it is now 5:19 am thank you

    • A.C.

      Hi, Janet. You cannot make an appointment online. Keep in mind you do not have to make an appointment to come in to our offices, but with an appointment, you will be helped before our walk-in customers. You can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and a representative will assist you. In most cases, you can handle your business by phone. We hope this helps.

  10. Gil J.

    When I applied for a job in (or before) 1988, I mistakenly mis-reported my SSN by 1 digit. I’ve never looked into how to correct it until now, because I’m applying for Disability benefits. The restaurant where I worked has since changed hands at least twice, maybe more. How would I go about correctly reporting my hours with the right SSN?

    Thanks,

    –Gil

    • A.C.

      Hi, Gil. You will need to go into your local Social Security office to correct your earnings record. When you go, you will need to provide proper ID and evidence of your missing earnings, such as W-2s, pay stubs, etc. Please read our publication How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record for more information. You can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to make an appointment. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.

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