How to File for Benefits

Social Security Benefits | Supplemental Security Income

Social Security Benefits

How to Apply

Applications for Social Security Retirement Benefits can now be filed on-line at our national Web site.   Applications for all Social Security benefits can be filed in person at any Social Security office, or by phone. You can arrange for an appointment to file your application by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TDD 1-800-325-0778). An appointment is not required, but may reduce the amount of time you spend waiting in the office.

When to Apply

If you are applying for Retirement benefits, you may apply as early as four months in advance of the month you expect to retire, but no earlier than 3 months before you are age 62.  However, you should apply no later than the month you want your benefits to start.

Applications for Disability benefits should be filed as soon as possible after the onset of your disability. If approved for Disability benefits, payments would not begin until the sixth full month of your disability. This "waiting period" begins with the first full month after the date you are found to be disabled.

To receive Survivor benefits on the record of a deceased, insured worker, you should apply promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive. If you are already receiving benefits as a wife or husband on your spouse's record when he or she dies, you should report the death to Social Security and we will change your payments to survivor benefits.

Information Needed

We need certain information to process your application. It's helpful if you have it when you apply. But don't delay applying if you don't have everything. We will help you get the information you need. We need either original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. Your documents will be returned to you after we have reviewed them.

The information needed includes:

• Your Social Security number, as well as the worker's if applying on the record of another person;
• Your birth certificate;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status (i.e., a birth certificate showing a U.S. place of birth, a naturalization certificate or an Immigration and Naturalization Service document showing alien status);
• Your W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for last year if applying for Retirement or Disability benefits;
• Your military discharge papers if you had military service;
• Your marriage certificate if you're a widow or widower;
• Your divorce papers if you're applying as a divorced spouse or surviving divorced spouse;
• The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be directly deposited into your account.

The National Center for Health Statistics Web Site maintains information about where to write for vital records (i.e., birth and death and marriage certificates, divorce records) and the cost.

The claims process for Disability benefits is generally longer than for other types of Social Security benefits - from 60 to 90 days. It takes longer to obtain medical information and to assess the nature of the disability in terms of your ability to work. However, you can help shorten the process by bringing certain documents with you when you apply and helping us to get any other necessary medical evidence. These include:

• Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics or institutions that treated you for your condition and the dates of treatment;
• Names of all medications you are taking;
• Medical records from your doctors, hospitals or other treatment sources;
• A summary of where you worked in the last 15 years and the kind of work you did.

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

How to Apply

Applications for SSI payments can be filed in person at any Social Security office, or by phone. You can arrange for an appointment to file your application by calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TDD 1-800-325-0778). An appointment is not required, but may reduce the amount of time you spend waiting in the office.

A Social Security representative will interview you and complete the forms with information you give. You or your representative will have to sign the form.

Parents or guardians can apply for a child under age 18. If you need an interpreter to conduct Social Security business, we will supply one on request, free of charge. If you want us to supply the interpreter, please call us before you come to the office and tell us what language you prefer to speak.

When to Apply

You should apply for SSI as soon as possible. The date you contact the Social Security Administration about applying for SSI is the earliest date from which benefits can be paid.

What We Will Ask You

To decide whether you can receive SSI, we will ask you about your income, the things you own (resources), your living arrangements (i.e., where you live, with whom, who pays for things, etc.) and your citizenship or alien status. If you are applying because you are disabled, we will also ask about your health problems and how they affect your daily activities and ability to work.

Direct Deposit is the preferred method for paying SSI benefits. We will ask you your bank account number so that we can arrange to have your benefits deposited directly into your account.

What to Bring with You to File

You may not need all of the documents below, but it can help if you have the following things when you apply. Even if you do not have all of the things listed below, apply anyway. We can help you get whatever is needed.

• Social Security card or number.
• Birth certificate or other proof of age.
• Proof of citizenship or alien status (i.e., birth certificate showing U.S. place of birth, naturalization certificate, or Immigration and Naturalization Service form showing alien status).
• Information about the home where you live, such as the mortgage or the lease and the landlord's name.
• Proof of income such as payroll slips, tax returns, bank statements, award letters, or other records showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment.
• Proof of resources such as bank statements for all checking and savings accounts, deed for property you own besides the house that you live in, insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks, or bonds.
• If you are applying because you have a disability, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that have treated you, the dates of treatment and any patient identification numbers.

The National Center for Health Statistics Web Site maintains information about where to write for birth certificates and the cost.

How SSI Claims Are Processed

The Social Security Administration takes applications and evaluates evidence of identity, income, resources and other nonmedical factors of eligibility. We also determine if a representative payee is needed and, if so, appoint one.

For a person 65 or over, the Social Security Administration determines eligibility. If a medical determination of the claimant's disability is needed, it is made by the State disability determination service (DDS). The DDS reviews all medical evidence submitted and requests additional evidence if needed.

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