|
|
|
|
Why should I apply for benefits
online?
Applying for benefits online offers several advantages,
among them:
- You apply in the privacy of your own home, at your own pace;
- You avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving time and money;
and
- Your online application costs the U.S. taxpayer less to process.
|
|
|
How secure is
my personal information?
We go to great lengths to protect your personal
information; we use the most secure technology on the Internet to keep
your information private and secure.
|
|
|
Who can apply online?
You can apply online if you:
- Are 61 years and 9 months or older and plan to start
receiving retirement or spouse’s benefits within four months;
or
- Have a disability or illness that is expected to
keep you from working for at least 12 months or to result
in death.
You must also reside in the United States or one
of its territories/commonwealths.
|
|
|
What
do I have to do?
If you have access to a computer with a secure
Internet connection, just follow three simple steps:
-
Go to the “Social Security Online” website at www.socialsecurity.gov
and click on “Apply for benefits.”
-
Fill in the answers to the application questions on your computer
screen, and select the “Sign Now” button to send us the
application.
-
Mail the documents we ask for when you complete your application.
|
|
|
What should I have ready before I start?
-
Your Social Security number and date of birth;
-
Direct deposit numbers (from a check, or ask your financial institution
for the numbers) if you want to have your monthly benefits deposited
automatically;
-
The amount you earned last year and how much you expect to earn this
year (and next year, too, if you apply between September and December);
-
For disability claims, information about your illnesses, injuries
and conditions, plus your medical care providers who treated you and
how we can contact them;
-
The name and address of each employer for the last two years;
-
If you were in the U.S. military between 1939 and 1968, the beginning
and ending dates of each period of active duty service; and
-
Your Social Security Statement.
Review the list of yearly earnings carefully using your own records
to make sure our information is correct for each year you worked,
especially years after 1977 and any years you served on active duty
in the U.S. military. You are the only person who can look at the
earnings chart and know whether or not it is complete.
|
|
|
What about
my spouse and dependents?
When you apply, you should give us:
-
Name, Social Security number and date of birth of your current spouse
and any former spouse(s), plus marriage and divorce information we
ask for on the screen; and
-
Names of unmarried children (your dependent natural children, adopted
children, stepchildren and possibly your dependent grandchildren and
step grandchildren who live with you) under age 18, or age 18 and still
attending elementary or secondary school (below college level on a
full-time basis), or any child disabled before age 22.
We will need to contact you or them later if they may be entitled to
benefits, too, or if you may be entitled to additional benefits on another
person’s record.
|
|
|
Do I have to
go from start to finish without taking a break?
No. If you need more time, you can stop and save the information you
already entered up to that point. You can finish the application on a
different day if you need to. When you are ready to finish applying,
select “Restart Your Incomplete Application” from the menu,
then enter your Social Security number and the confirmation number given
to you.
Remember, you are not done until you fill in the last page on the
application screen and select the “Sign Now” button
to submit your application to the Social Security Administration.
|
|
|
|
What documents
do I need to submit after I file online?
We will list what you need when you are done with the application, such
as:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth;
- Naturalization papers;
- U.S. military discharge paper(s);
- For disability benefits, the two forms you completed online (SSA-3368
and SSA-827) that describe your medical condition and authorize disclosure
of medical information to us; and
- W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year.
We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical
documents, but we must see the originals of most other documents, such
as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.)
|
|
|
What if I decide later
not to apply at all or I decide to apply in person or by phone?
If you decide not to finish applying online for
whatever reason, you should call 1-800-772-1213 to avoid
any loss of benefits.
|
|
|
What hours can I apply?
You can apply online at your convenience from your
home or office during the hours below (Eastern time):
Monday-Friday: 5
a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 10
p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
What if I need help?
Call a Social Security telephone
representative toll-free at
1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778
|
|
|