Our Online Benefits Application
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: November 3, 2023
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:
- 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.
- Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account.
- File your claim online.
- 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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Tags: my Social Security, online services, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Verna M.
Hello and thank you for this service.
I retired in 2020 from University of Northern British Columbia and started receiving Canadian pension and OAS.
CPensionPlan sent application to have CPP apply for US SS portion also.
I am receiving CPP, not US SS.
How do I follow up on this March 2020 application for US SS made by CPP? They have no up-date only that it was sent 3/20
much appreciated assistance,
Verna
Verna M.
PS
I cannot open an on-line access account – with a 6 digit Canadian postal code. Any options for that on-line access from Canada, for the account in US from 20 years I taught in California, 1986-2007. Thanks!
V.V.
Hi Verna, thanks for using our blog. You can use the Canadian Service Area Directory to determine which Social Security Resident Office you should contact to follow up on the application. We hope this helps!
Willis
How do you correct the date of start on application once its been started but before its submitted
Also, how do you figure out when you will be 66 according to social security
V.V.
Hi Willis, thanks for using our blog. 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 for assistance 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.
James D.
I tried to get into the system and couldn’t get past the page asking my name and social and such. When clicking on next it kicks me out. What’s up with that?
V.V.
Hi James, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties creating a my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us 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.
SB
I can’t stay on the computer for long stretches. Once I start an SSDI application, can I save my work and logoff, and later continue where I left off, as many times as needed? Is there a time limit or a limit on number of sessions? Thank you.
V.V.
Hi SB, thanks for using our blog. When you apply for benefits, you will receive a re-entry number. If something causes you to exit or you choose to save and return at a later time, you must use this number to continue your saved application process. You may find our Disability Benefits web page helpful as it runs through the application process and provides details on the information and documents you may need to provide. We hope this is helpful!
Carolyn L.
I need to apply for SSA please.
V.V.
Hi Carolyn, thanks for using our blog. Depending on what type of benefit you’re referring to, you can apply for the following benefits online:
•Retirement/Spouses/Divorced Spouses;
•Medicare; and
•Disability.
If you are unable or do not want to apply for benefits online, you can schedule an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 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.
Robert J.
I can’t figure out how to get to the form to fill out for Applying for Ex-Spouses Benefit. I want to apply for 50% of her SS benefit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
V.V.
Hi Vicki, thank you for your question. You may be able to get divorced spouse’s benefits but, under existing law, if you are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a divorced spouse, you must apply for both benefits and you’ll receive the higher of the two benefits. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other.
However, if you turn 62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not apply if you wait to file at your full retirement age or later. This means that you may file for either your ex-spouse’s benefit or your retirement benefit without being required or “deemed” to file for the other. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details.
When you are ready, you can apply for Retirement, Spouses and Divorced Spouses benefits online.
Pissed
Where the hell is the re-entry number link. this is the worst website with nothing but convoluted information.
V.V.
Hi there. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. If you started to file an online application but did not finish it, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on returning to a retirement application and returning to a disability application. We hope this is helpful!
Michael B.
What if you are out of the us, stuck in Canada for months border closed due to covid. Can I get back the premiums I paid and stop until I return to us with penalty
V.V.
Hi Michael, thanks for using our blog. In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Medicare when you’re first eligible, or terminate it later, you may have to pay a higher monthly premium if you ever want to enroll/re-enroll later. This is why we advise people to talk to a Social Security representative before making a decision. You can use the Canadian Service Area Directory to determine which Resident Office is near you. We hope this helps!
Lois M.
I think I underestimated my earnings
for 2020 on my application for SS benefits that I submitted earlier this month. Since this is the last year I will be working before I turn 70, I want to make sure my SS benefit amount will be based on correct earnings. Will SS adjust my benefit when my 2020 taxes are done and the correct earnings for that year are documented?
V.V.
Hi Lois, thanks for using our blog. Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work. If your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, we refigure your benefit and pay you any increase due. This is an automatic process, and benefits are paid in December of the following year. For example, in December 2021, you should get an increase for your 2020 earnings if those earnings raised your benefit. The increase would be retroactive to January 2021.
george o.
need to apply for medicare B, I have A already- do i go to the office at Plantation 8590 W sunrise Blvd or do I have to make an appointment first
V.V.
Hi George, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to sign up for Medicare Part B when you already have Part A. We hope this helps!