Social Security’s Many Online Services
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
There’s probably been a time in your life when you’ve wondered, “Can I do this online instead of visiting a Social Security office?” The answer is more than likely yes, and you can find more information about our online services on our website. Online, you can apply for retirement and disability benefits, appeal a decision, and do much more.
We’ve organized our Online Services webpage into four popular categories for easy navigation:
- Review Your Information. You can access your secure, personal information and earnings history to make sure everything is correct.
- Apply for Benefits. You can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits without having to visit a local Social Security office.
- Manage Your Account. You can change your direct deposit information and your address, if you are receiving benefits, online.
- Find Help and Answers. You can find answers to your most frequently asked questions, as well as links to publications and other informational websites.
You can also access personalized information with your personal my Social Security account. This is a useful resource even if you are not receiving benefits. You can:
- Request a replacement Social Security number or Medicare card.
- Get personalized retirement benefit estimates.
- Get estimates for spouse’s benefits.
- Print proof that you do not receive benefits.
- Check your application or appeal status.
- Read your Social Security Statement.
If you are receiving benefits, you can:
- Request a replacement Social Security number or Medicare card.
- Set up or change direct deposit.
- Print a Social Security 1099 (SSA-1099) form.
- Opt out of mailed notices for those available online.
- Print a benefit verification letter.
- Change your address.
Please let your family and friends know they can do much of their business with us online.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, online services
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Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Jones C.
I receive survivor benefits, I want to start collecting my benefits. Can I do that online? Or do I need to call SS?
V.V.
Hi Jones Carletta, thanks for using our blog. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready to file, you can apply for your retirement benefits online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, 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.
Jones C.
I turned 62 in 2018. At that time I started collecting survivors benefits. I have turned 65 this month abd want to collect my own benefits. Can I qualify for the deemed benefit ?
V.V.
Hi Jones, thanks for using our blog. If you’ve never filed for Social Security retiement benefits you can switch to your own record as early as age 62. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready, you can apply for your retirement benefits online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, 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.
Betty A.
My husband makes more SS then me. Can I get an increase to my SS?
V.V.
Hi Betty, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. We will always pay your own retirement benefit first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, the spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your husband’s full retirement amount (not his reduced benefit amount). So, you can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if your own full retirement benefit (not your reduced benefit) is less than half of your husband’s full retirement benefit.
Generally, during the initial interview when applying for Social Security benefits, we typically explore all other benefits that could yield you a higher benefit amount. To find out if you are eligible for a higher benefit amount, you can call 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.
Mark S.
Can I apply for a Spousal Benefit Online? I know that I can apply for my own benefit online
V.V.
Hi Mark, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Apply for Social Security Benefits web page which provides the details on applying for Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits. We hope this is helpful!
JI
I am retiring at age 63 Can I apply for my under 18 age childrens benefits online?
P.H.
Hi Jim. Thanks for your question. When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. Generally, when you apply for benefits, we typically explore the eligibility for other members of your family and contact you directly to take the application. We do not offer online applications for children. You can apply for benefits for your child by calling your local Social Security office or our national toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). We hope this information is helpful.
Janis L.
My husband is in prison but his benefits are more than mine. Can I get his benefits?
P.H.
Hi Janis, thanks for using our blog. Generally, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are not payable for months that a person is incarcerated or confined to a jail, prison, or certain other public institutions due to a criminal conviction. In addition, if your husband was not receiving Social Security benefits before his incarceration, we cannot pay benefits to you during his incarceration. If you were receiving Social Security benefits on your husband’s record before his incarceration, benefits to you would continue during his incarceration. Check out our Benefits After Incarceration web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Debra K.
Can I get my most current award letter showing any Social Security or SSI benefits I receive? I need one soon for Housing Authority & I am not able to drive. Is there a printable one? Thank you.
P.H.
Hi Debra, thanks for using our Blog. Yes, you can view, print and save your benefit verification letter by creating a my Social Security account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details. You also may be able to request a benefit verification letter by using our automated telephone service at 1-800-772-1213. At the prompt, indicate that you’re requesting a proof of income letter. You can conduct business through the automated services 24 hours a day. We hope this helps!
Ginger S.
I left my job may 2021 with $44,000 gross income. I will be 62 on september 8 2021. Can I claim benefits for this year or are my earnings to much to qualify.
A.C.
Hi, Ginger. Thanks for your question. If you retire mid-year, we count your earnings for the entire year. We have a special earnings test rule that we apply to annual earnings—usually the first year of retirement. For more information on the Special Earnings Limit Rule and to see an example on how it works, visit here. We hope this information is helpful.
Kimberley H.
There needs to be a way to report
NON WAGE income in the My Social Security app. There is a special phone number for reporting wages, even an app for reporting wages, but nothing for reporting any other income.
This makes complying with the SSI rules more difficult than it ought to be. We should not have to wait for hours on the phone just to report unemployment or any other non work income.
Ana R.
Yo informo mis ingresos, que no son salario, por medio de una carta. Esto lo hago cuando tienen variacion. El SSI me ha aceptado este metodo porque casi nunca puedo comunicarme telefonicamente.
Carmen V.
Are there any programs that could assist you in buying medication that is really expensive for my diabetes?
P.H.
Hi Carmen. There are a few programs that may be able to assist you. You may want to check and see if you are eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, which may help pay for medication that Medicare does not cover. You can get information about services in your area from your local social services office. Or you can visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. You may wish to contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss your options. We hope this helps.
Ron P.
Would be nice if we could even use the online services. I am getting ready to retire so I went online to apply for retirement benefits. I knew that the process was easy because we previously did my wife’s application w/no issues. When I tried to apply, I received a message that I could not apply online because the information that I provided was different than what SSA has on file. How could that be. I already applied for Medicare online w/no issues. So how could the information be incorrect? A message came up to call a phone number, which I did. I waited forever to get through. The representative went through endless questions even taking my direct deposit information. She said that I now had applied but that I still had to call my local SSA office. I asked why, since I thought that I had just applied. She said that I did apply but they need to ‘explain’ my benefits. This all started to seem odd. I ended up calling the locl office and was told that they ‘Had no available appointments left’. They also had no record of the information that the other representative took and I had NOT applied as I was told. I asked what I’m supposed to do since I already gave my notice at work and will have no income once I’m done working if I can’t apply. The representative said they’d call back. Waited for a week and heard nothing back, so I called another SSA office because SSA policy says you don’t need to use the local office. The representative was very helpful and after quite awhile, she said the issue was fixed and I could now apply online. Was very excited; but it didn’t last long, as when I tried to apply again the issues still persisted. I called that office again and the guy there seemed helpful at first and said he’d make an appointment for someone to call me to apply. When I gave him my address, phone number etc. he blasted me. He was extremely rude and condescending telling me “You have no business calling an office that is 4 hours away. You need to call your local office”. He continued berating me until I finally just hung up. So, what good are your online services if a person can’t even use them. And the SSA staff (whom I as a taxpayer is paying their salaries) are incompetent and extremely rude. I’m wondering if I’m going to have to pay a lawyer just to straighten out this mess. Such a frustrating experience with hours upon hours wasted on the phone getting nothing accomplished. All I want to do is apply for my benefits.
P.H.
We apologize for the inconvenience and we understand your frustration. For your security we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office and ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call. 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 helps.