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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Donna S.
I applied for my social security benefits online. I had no problems and my application went from step 1 to step 2 in 2 days. Now it is sitting there. How long does it take to process. There are literally no local phone numbers to call and the 1-800 number has more than an hour wait. It’s like you don’t want to talk to people. I cannot find any information regarding expected timeliness of the approval for regular retirement benefits
Vonda
Hi Donna, thanks for using our blog. You can contact your local Social Security office. 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.
Carol S.
I need a re-entry number to continue my benefits application I haven`t received one
Vonda
Hi Carol, thanks for using our blog. If you are filing for yourself and have lost or forgotten your re-entry number, you can get it by creating or logging into your my Social Security account.
Your re-entry number can be retrieved by clicking the “Get Re-entry Number” link found in the “Your Benefit Applications” table.
Jay
I cannot find the “Your Benefit Applications” table on the site. Can you provide a screen grab to show where it is located?
Vonda
Hi Jay, sorry to hear you are having difficulties. After signing in to your my Social Security account, there is an “Overview tab”. There you will find “Your Benefit Applications” with status as Unsubmitted and Get Re-entry Number under More Info. Thanks!
Mary B.
I’m not sure if I did the right Application. I thought I was filling out for social security benefits but it kept asking about my disability. I’m turning 62 in April and want to collecting my social security. It was asking a lot of questions about disability. I’m just a little slower but I don’t think I’m disabled.
Vonda
Hi Mary, thanks for using our blog. 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.
jeff b.
i am trying to apply for retirement benefits online. i cannot get past the question regarding if i have an illness, etc. within the past number of years. My answer is “no” i have no illnesses. when I try to go to next page, I receive an error that I have to answer yes to proceed with retirement application. I am not seeking disability, just my retirement benefits. I’ve tried three times to do this, but get the same results. Is there an error in your system>
Vonda
Hi Jeff, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with our online application. Please contact your local Social Security office. 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.
Barbara
Trying to help my disabled brother sign up for Medicare part d. He filled out the app online & did the electronic signature but it says can not be submitted without email. We did not see a spot to add the email address. Where does it go?
Vonda
Hi Barbara, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, or the covered services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.
Keith L.
I have been trying to update my wifes account. I t keeps telling me I have made a mistake then freezes up.
My Wife’s NAME is Nancy C. Murphy
***-**-****
02/33/1935
Vonda
Hi Keith, thanks for using our blog. For your wife to receive assistance with her account, she will need to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or she can contact her 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.
Brittany A.
Hi I need to make an appointment to come in about my ssi I did not receive paper work that theybare saying they sent….
Vonda
Hi Brittany, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. 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.
Kurt B.
Where do you go to enter re-entry number to conclude the application??
Vonda
Hi Kurt, thanks for using our blog. Depending on what type of benefit you’re applying for, you click on the apply for benefits link which will bring you to a page with the option of Start a New Application or Return to Saved Application Process. You would select Return to Saved Application Process. We hope this helps!
Anthony U.
I can’t find the re-entry to conclude my application. This is so frustrating
Vonda
Hi Anthony, thanks for using our blog. If you are filing for yourself and have lost or forgotten your re-entry number, you can get it by creating or logging into your my Social Security account.
Your re-entry number can be retrieved by clicking the “Get Re-entry Number” link found in “Your Benefit Applications”.
Kathy
Lost applications while entering got a number can’t get back in
Vonda
Hi Kathy, thanks for using our blog. If you are filing for yourself and have lost or forgotten your re-entry number, you can get it by creating or logging into your my Social Security account.
Your re-entry number can be retrieved by clicking the “Get Re-entry Number” link found in “Your Benefit Applications”.
Susan D.
If I am found to have been disabled back to 2015 will they pay back to then ?
Vonda
For your security, Susan, 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.