You can file for any type of Social Security benefit by phone at 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office. For retirement,
spousal and
disability benefits, you can also
apply online, in which case it helps to have a
My Social Security account. Show Here are some basic guidelines on applying for various benefits. Retirement and spousal benefitsYou’ll need to provide an array of personal and work information, including:
Social Security provides a complete checklist of what you’ll need for your application. When you can file: The minimum age to apply for both retirement and spouse benefits is 62, but monthly payments are higher if you wait longer. Where to file: Online, by phone or in person. Survivor benefitsTo apply for survivor benefits, make sure you have:
When you can file: In most cases you must be at least 60 to receive survivor benefits (but as with retirement and spousal benefits, they increase if you wait). There are exceptions for widows and widowers who are disabled (the minimum age is 50) or caring for children who are under 16 or disabled (no age restriction). Eligibility can be affected if you have remarried. Where to file: By phone or in person. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)For SSDI, the document requirements are considerably broader and the application is lengthier. Along with the usual personal data (such as birth certificate and employment and earnings records), you’ll need to provide extensive documentation of your medical history and treatment and file an Adult Disability Report. The SSDI process also includes an interview, in person or by phone. You’ll find detailed information in Social Security’s Adult Disability Starter Kit. When you can file: There is no minimum age for SSDI but you must have done at least some work in which you acquired Social Security credits. Where to file: Online, by phone or in person. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)SSI — a program administered but not funded by Social Security that pays benefits to low-income people who are disabled, blind or 65 and older — has document requirements related to financial need as well as personal information. These may include:
When you can file: There is no minimum age for SSI if you are applying on the basis of blindness or a qualifying disability. Absent that, you must be ast least 65. Where to file: By phone, in person or online in limited circumstances. Keep in mind
Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Who can apply for adult disability benefits online? You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:
What information do I need to apply for benefits? We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier. Information About You
Information About Your Medical Condition
Information About Your Work
What documents do I need to provide? We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:
ImportantWe accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.) Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them. Mailing Your DocumentsIf you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents. If you do not want to mail these documents, you may bring them to a Social Security office. Do not mail foreign birth records or any documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), especially those you are required to keep with you at all times. These documents are extremely difficult, time-consuming and expensive to replace if lost. Some cannot be replaced. Instead, bring them to a Social Security office where we will examine them and return them to you. What are the advantages of applying using our online disability application process? Our online disability application process offers several advantages. You can:
What happens after I apply? After we receive your online application, we will:
Apply for Disability Return to a Saved Application Check Application Status Publications
Related Information
What about SSI?Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. Learn More... |