With SSA Benefits, whether you need help deciding when to retire or are ready to start the next chapter in your life, we have the tools you need to get started. No need to visit an office — estimate your benefits, apply for retirement, and check your application status online.
Apply for Social Security Benefits
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse’s, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
If you cannot submit your application online:
- You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); or
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to our offices are by appointment only for certain services. Please visit our Coronavirus page to see if you may be eligible for an in-person appointment.
If you live outside the U.S. you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence.
Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits
You can apply online for Retirement or spouse’s benefits or continue an application you already started.
You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to start no more than four months in the future.
If you qualify for both retirement and spouse’s benefits, please read:
If you are eligible for a spouse’s benefit and your own retirement benefitIf you are almost 65, your application for benefits will include Medicare.
Information You May Need to Apply:
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Information You May Need to Apply:
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
If you are almost 65 but you don’t want your retirement benefits to start, you can just apply online for Medicare using the “Retirement/Medicare Benefits” application.
Information You May Need to Apply:
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
Survivors Benefits
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online.
If you need to report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 AM and 7 PM Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office.In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to Social Security. If you want them to do that, you will need to give the deceased’s Social Security Number to the funeral director so they can make the report.
If you are getting benefits on your spouse’s or parent’s record:
- We’ll automatically change any monthly benefits to survivor benefits after the death is reported to us.
- We may be able to pay the Special Lump Sum Death Benefit automatically.
If you are getting retirement or disability benefits on your own record, you will need to apply for the survivor benefits. We will check to see whether you can get a higher benefit as a widow or widower.
If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivor benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Widows/Widowers or Surviving Divorced Spouse’s Benefits
- Child’s Benefits
- Mother’s or Father’s Benefits
- Lump-Sum Death Payment
- Parent’s Benefits
(You must have been dependent on your child at the time of his or her death.)
Children’s Benefits
You cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read:
Information You Need to Apply for Child’s Benefits
Check the Status of Your Application
After you apply, you can check the status of your application online. You will need your Social Security number and confirmation that you received when you applied to use this service.
Retirement Benefits
Whether you need help deciding when to retire or are ready to start the next chapter in your life, we have the tools you need to get started. No need to visit an office — estimate your benefits, apply for retirement, and check your application status online.
Disability Benefits
If the unexpected happens, Social Security may be able to help. We pay disability benefits to those who can’t work because they have a medical condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death. Find out how Social Security can help you and how you can manage your benefits.
Medicare Benefits
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. Social Security works with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure the public receives the assistance they need.
Survivors Benefits
If you lose a loved one, we are there to help you get through the difficult time. We pay survivors benefits to widows, widowers, and to the dependents of eligible workers. Find out more about how we help protect you and your family.
Supplemental Security Income Benefits
We are with those who need a helping hand. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides support to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources, as well as people age 65 and older who are not disabled but have limited income and resources.
Benefit Calculators
These tools can be accurate but require access to your official earnings record in our database. The simplest way to do that is by creating or logging in to your my Social Security account. The other way is to answer a series of questions to prove your identity.