Skip to content
Social Security Online

Social Security Handbook

SSA Handbook Title Page

SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home Chapter 1: Overview of the Social Security System

Table of Contents

100.Purposes of Social Security
101.Obtaining A Social Security Card
102.Checking Individual Earnings Records
103.Application for Benefits or Medicare Protection
104.Who is responsible for proving a claim?
105.How are claims processed by the Social Security office?
106.Duty to Report Certain Events
107.Totalization Agreements
108.Who is NOT covered under retirement, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance programs?
109.How is the Social Security Administration (SSA) structured?
110.The Function of the Social Security Office
111.Program Service Center Functions
112.Where are earnings records maintained?
113.Recording Earnings Credits
114.SSI Claimants Residing Abroad
115.Determinations of Disability
116.Information Program of the Social Security Office
117.Information Required by Law to be Made Available to the Public
118.Does the Social Security office make referrals to other government or community agencies?
119.Social Security Benefits Payable
120.Who issues Social Security benefits and SSI payments?
121.Payment Dates
122.Direct Deposit of Benefits
123.Checks
124.How do you endorse your check if you cannot sign your name?
125.Entitlement To Retirement, Survivors, And Disability Insurance Benefits
126.Supplemental Security Income Benefits
127.Hospital And Medical Insurance Benefits Provided
128.Prescription Drug Benefits Provided
129.Benefits Not Transferable
130.Special Request For Expedited Benefit Payment
131.Checks to Husband and Wife
132.Are separate Social Security benefit checks mailed to each child in a family?
133.Reporting to Social Security
134.Returning Checks To The Social Security Office
135.What is done if you receive more money than you are entitled?
136.Sources of Funds for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Benefits
137.How are hospital insurance benefits funded?
138.How are medical insurance benefits funded?
139.How are prescription drug benefits funded?
140.Where are money gifts to Social Security deposited?
141.Trust Funds Available For Benefits
142.What investigative responsibilities does SSA have in administering the Social Security program?
143.Fraud In Connection With Benefit Claims And Earnings Records
144.Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustment And Other Automatic Increases
  Link to FirstGov.gov: U.S. Government portal Privacy Policy | Website Policies & Other Important Information | Site Map
Last reviewed or modified Wednesday Mar 26, 2008

Need LargerText?