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. HEINZ, R.

    SEND ME 3 LETTERS INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT 2020 SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
    HEINZ IMFELD *** – ** – ***
    ROSE IMFELD *** – ** – ***
    NICOLE *** – ** – ***

    OLD ADRESS 7060 BAY WOODS LAKE CT
    FORT MYERS 33908
    NEW ADRESS 3024 LAKE BUTLER CT
    CAPE CORAL FL 33909

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Heinz, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to obtain a benefit verification letter. We hope this is helpful.

  2. Elaine N.

    Good morning. Im writing for my fiance, William E Saring, last 4, 3432,. He is currently receiving SSDI benefits, but he would now also like to apply for a housing allowance under the SSDI program. Could you please provide guidance? His last physical address was in Lower Moreland, however, currently he does not have a permant address. What do we need to do so that he can get financial aide so he could find a permanent place to live.
    thank you.
    Elaine
    ELJN1965@GMAIL.COM

  3. Nathanael R.

    Trying to register online for get a my ss account. To be able to request a ss card replacement. But it says I cannot and has been expired. I tried many times and still nothing. It also says it does not recognize me.. can you help please! Need my card soon for employment

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Nathanael, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with your my Social Security account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to obtain a replacement Social Security card. If you’re unable to do it online, you will need to mail in the application with your documents. If you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  4. Cheryl C.

    How come your system continues to time me out for no reason? I am trying to apply for my social security benefits.

  5. Mary B.

    I am turning 70 and have been recieving spousal benefits since I was 65. I understand I now need to switch to my benefits. How do I do that?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Mary, thank you for your question. You can apply four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. When you’re ready to apply, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply. We hope this helps!

  6. Joy C.

    I,m trying to apply for surviving spouse bennifets my husband passed in1997 & I will be 60 in July

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Joy, thank you for using our blog. You cannot apply for widow’s benefits online. To make an appointment to apply for widow’s benefits, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 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.

  7. Maria B.

    I applied for benefits online and was approved but on my first page I got a thing that said I have to sign. I don’t know where to sign online. do I go into Social Security office near me and sign a paper?

    • Maria B.

      The online thing is unclear about where you sign that was my problem

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Maria, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Typically when you apply online, you sign using an electronic signature. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.

      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. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  8. Stacy G.

    I cannot access my online account to get a replacement. It says I have one but I’ve never made one. I need to order a new social security card.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Stacy, thank you for using our blog. First, realize you may not need a replacement card. You will rarely need to show it. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you must get a replacement card, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to apply for a replacement Social Security card. If you are unable to apply online and you do not want to mail in your documents, which will be returned, you may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address. We hope this helps.

  9. Stanley T.

    I am trying to apply for the death benefit for my daughter who passed away 12/10/2019,ss#*** – ** – ***,I am her father ss#*** – ** – ***,phone wait is 2 hrs and your local offices are closed.Where and how can I do this by mail?

  10. Riley A.

    Looking for help, please regarding SS Application Status? I can not access? I have tried many times to create a “my social security account”. I tried different times of the day and night, different internet browsers, I even asked my daughter to try her computer but nothing works. It says something like it has tried many times to match the information I have provided but was unable to do so. I finally found where I could file SS application online. I did so and submitted and have spoke to an Agent there at SS office and he sent me a summary by mail. Since I can not create a “My SS Account”. Two questions? 1. How can I fix this? 2. How can I access on line my SS application status? Thank you

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Riley, thank you for your question. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with creating a my Social Security account. If you continue to have issues and have already called our “help desk” at 1-800-772-1213, you may need to wait for our field offices to open. A representative in the office will verify your identity and issue you a letter containing an activation code. You can use the activation code to complete the creation of your my Social Security account. Select “Finish Setting Up Your Account” and enter the information requested, including the account activation code.

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