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. Patty Z.

    I’m trying to see how to apply for SSDI and would like the application sent to me to my home address at 432 Truman St Goldsboro,nc 27530

    • A.C.

      Hi, Patty. Social Security pays disability benefits to people if they have a medical condition that has prevented them from working or is expected to prevent them from working for at least 12 months. We use the same five-step process to make a decision on each application. You may also find our listing of impairments useful. If you feel that you meet our definition of disability, you can apply online. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.

  2. Rodney D.

    Where do I go to finalize my application for SS – Medicare benefits. I have my re-entry number but don’t know where to log in to finalize and set up password and Username

  3. JAMES E.

    what is my activation code

    • A.C.

      Hi, James. 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.

  4. Brian N.

    I need a bennifit letter, how do i do that?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Brian. If you need a benefit verification letter, 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.

  5. Cynthia W.

    Do Federal employees have the same retirement dates as regular employees. For example, I was born in 1954 and show that I can draw full retirement in 2020 but someone told me that I could draw full SS now because I’m a federal employee. I can’t find this anywhere.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cynthia. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced, regardless of their employer. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits for which the person may qualify. For more information, check out our Benefits Planner: Retirement. We hope this helps.

  6. TINY A.

    i need to get a benefit verification letter from your department to take to the Ministry of Social Services, High Street, Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago.
    My Social Security Number is *** – ** – ***
    and my address in Trinidad is 31 Malgretoute Road, Princes Town, Trinidad
    Telephone Number – 1-868-345-3767 or 1-868-330-9472

    • A.C.

      Hi, Tiny. Since you are living outside of the U.S. you can contact your 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.

  7. Kathleen M.

    My wife would like to start SS payments. She just turned 62 and is eligible, but would like to set up an appointment at our closest office. We live I Everett Ma, 02149

    • A.C.

      Hi, Kathleen. She does not have to make an appointment to come in to our offices, but with an appointment, she will be helped before our walk-in customers. She can schedule an appointment with her 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 her. In most cases, she can handle her business by phone. She also can apply online here. Thanks!
      e can also apply online.

  8. Peter B.

    Can I apply for survivor benefits online? My wife passed away and I am turning 60 in October. I am unmarried.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Peter. We are sorry to hear about your loss. If your wife worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, you may be eligible for a Lump Sum Death Payment. In addition, eligible family members may be able to receive monthly Survivor benefits. 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 here. 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.

  9. Ali

    Hello I need to check the status of my baby social security number ,her name is
    Aljawhara a zebn
    DOB 6/20/2019

  10. Ali

    Hello I need to check the status of my baby social security number

    • A.C.

      Hi, Ali. Here’s a chart with each state’s average processing time (in weeks). You should add 2 weeks for us to mail the card. You can contact your local Social Security office for more information. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.