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. ann w.

    I cant find my activation code, what do I do?

    • L.A.

      Hi Ann. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  2. Steven h.

    I can not remember user name or password to my account. I want to check status of application. When I click on forgot user name, it does not do anything.

    • L.A.

      Hi Steven. Please follow the instructions found here to recover your username and password. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  3. Ron H.

    How do I apply for benefits. SSA does not allow you to do that on the site

    • L.A.

      Hi Ron. You may apply for benefits here. We hope this helps.

  4. Jo C.

    This is so confusing. I can not find the application for Medicaid and it is urgent.

    • L.A.

      Hi Jo. Please note that to apply for Medicaid or to request more information about Medicaid, you will need to call your state medical assistance office. To get the local phone number, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You may also wish to contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) for additional assistance. We hope this helps.

  5. Deborah S.

    I am in great need of assistance regarding my father who is 80. I need to get an application for medicaid. The costs for his supplemental health are rising again and he cannot afford them. Please help!

    • A.C.

      Hi, Deborah. We are sorry to hear about your father’s situation. To apply for Medicaid or to request more information about Medicaid, you will need to call your state medical assistance office. To get the local phone number, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). He may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which he lives. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in his area and find out if he qualifies, he will need to contact his state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps!

  6. scott b.

    The website says I can apply for spousal benefits on line but nowhere to be found is a form to do so, when I find one that looks like a link to it, it takes me back to the main menu. Tried calling the local office and set on hold for 10-15 minutes and was finally told I’d be connected to an agent shortly then 5-7 rings and told that all agents are busy and I needed to call back at a different time goodbye click.
    Seem to be getting the same runaround at federal office number.

    • L.A.

      Hi Scott. We are sorry for the confusion. Please note that as you start the benefits application, it will prompt you to answer whether you are applying as a spouse. Please see our internet page on how to apply as a spouse. We hope this helps.

  7. lee m.

    I have tried several times to use my account login but no longer seem to have correct user id or password and it doesn’t allow me to do a new account since it keeps saying you already have an account
    can you give me access please I need that login info again
    Lee N Marsh *** – ** – ***

    • L.A.

      Hi Lee. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  8. Dennis L.

    I established an online account in order to file a Representative Payee Report for my mother. I received a User ID and established a password. It appears I need an Activation Code. How do I get that?

    • L.A.

      Hi Dennis. If you are still unable to access your account or encounter another 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, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
      •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  9. Bernadette C.

    I am already receiving spousal ss benefits as well as Medicare. It was not exactly clear how to complete the form to receive my own earned SS benefits at age 70. I hope I filled the form out correctly.

    • L.A.

      Hi Bernadette. Please note that for people who are already receiving Social Security benefits from a deceased spouse account, and then want to switch records to their own account, they will need to make an appointment to covert to their account. However, for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. For specific questions about your account, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Eddie D.

    My name is Eddie Donald Phiillips ss/*** – ** – ***
    i never received a new medicare card.
    also i need a letter showing I’m on disability please

    my address is *******
    my sisters email is **** Thank you

    • L.A.

      Hi Eddie. Good news! If you need a benefit verification letter, you can view it, print it, and save it using your personal my Social Security account. Eddie, please note that, for your security, we ask member of this forum not to post personal information. We hope this helps.

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