Where and how to file your Social Security claim

You can file for Social Security in three ways: online through the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest — you can start an application at ssa.gov and often complete it in one sitting. If you file online, you will need to create a my Social Security account first, which requires your email address and a password.

By phone, you can call the Social Security Administration's main line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Wait times vary by time of day and season, but calling early in the week or early in the morning typically means shorter holds. A representative will walk you through the questions and can often file your claim over the phone.

To file in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator or call the main number above. You do not need an appointment for most offices, though some now require one. Bring photo identification, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your birth certificate.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Online filing is usually fastest and requires creating a my Social Security account with your email address.
  • You will need to provide your birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of citizenship or legal residency no matter which method you choose.
  • The Social Security Administration processes claims in the order they receive them, and approval typically takes three to five months.
  • You can file before your full retirement age, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced if you claim early.

Documents you need before you file

Gather these documents before you start your application, whether you are filing online, by phone, or in person. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency status, and a photo ID issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). If you were born outside the United States, bring your naturalization papers or green card.

You will also need information about your work history. The Social Security Administration has a record of your earnings, so you do not have to provide pay stubs, but have your most recent W-2 or tax return available in case there are gaps or errors in their records. If you are self-employed, bring documentation of your net income for the current year.

If you are filing for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to retirement or disability benefits, bring proof of your current income, assets, and living situation — bank statements, rent receipts, and utility bills help establish your financial need.

What happens after you file

Once you submit your claim, the Social Security Administration sends you a receipt notice with a confirmation number. Keep this number — you will use it to check the status of your claim online or by phone. You can check your claim status at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Processing time varies. Retirement claims typically take three to five months. Disability claims (SSDI) usually take longer, sometimes three to six months or more, because the agency must obtain medical records and have a doctor review your case. Supplemental Security Income claims also take longer because the agency must verify your income and assets.

The Social Security Administration will contact you by mail if they need more information. They will not call you or email you asking for personal details — if someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and asking for your number or banking information, it is a scam. Hang up and report it to the Social Security Administration's fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

Choosing when to claim affects your monthly payment

Your age when you file determines how much you receive each month for the rest of your life. If you file before your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), your payment is permanently reduced. Filing at 62 — the earliest age you can claim — reduces your benefit by roughly 25 to 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age.

If you wait past your full retirement age, your payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. This means someone born in 1960 who waits from age 67 to age 70 receives about 24 percent more per month than they would at full retirement age. The longer you live, the more total money you receive by waiting, but this calculation depends on your health and family history.

You can view your estimated benefit amounts at different ages by logging into your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The Social Security Administration sends a statement to everyone age 60 and older showing their estimated benefits at 62, full retirement age, and 70.

Special situations: Spousal and survivor benefits

If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be able to claim benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. A current spouse can claim up to 50 percent of the worker's full retirement age benefit (not their reduced early benefit). An ex-spouse can claim if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are both at least 62 years old — you do not need your ex's permission or cooperation.

Widows and widowers can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). Children of a deceased worker can also claim until age 19 (or 23 if in school full-time). These claims are filed the same way as retirement claims — online, by phone, or in person — but you will need to provide the death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased worker.

If you are already receiving benefits and your circumstances change — you get married, divorced, or widowed — contact Social Security to report the change. Some changes affect your payment or open new benefit options.

Working while you receive benefits

If you file before your full retirement age and continue working, the Social Security Administration reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain amount. For 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. In the year you reach full retirement age, the reduction applies only to earnings before the month you turn that age, and the limit is higher ($62,160 for 2024).

Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want with no reduction to your benefit. This is true whether you claimed early or waited — the earnings limit ends at full retirement age, not at 70.

Self-employment income counts toward these limits. If you own a business, report your net profit (not gross revenue) to Social Security. If you are unsure whether your work situation will affect your benefit, call 1-800-772-1213 before you claim.

If your claim is denied

If the Social Security Administration denies your claim, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have 60 days from the date on that notice to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration (a different examiner reviews your case), a hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and federal court.

For disability claims, most people hire a lawyer or representative at the hearing stage. Many work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent, capped at $7,200) only if you win. You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or by asking your local legal aid office.

You do not need a lawyer to file a reconsideration or to request a hearing, but having one increases your chances of winning at the hearing stage. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact your local legal aid society or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about free help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I file?

Yes, but only within a limited window. If you filed online or by phone and have not yet received your first payment, you can withdraw your application by contacting your local Social Security office. If you have already received payments, you can request a "withdrawal of application" within 12 months of filing — you must repay all benefits received, but your claim is cancelled and you can file again later at a higher age.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can receive Social Security benefits if you are a U.S. citizen or have a valid green card and have worked long enough in the U.S. to earn credits. Bring your naturalization certificate, green card, or visa showing your legal status. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may still be able to claim if you have a visa that permits work — ask the Social Security Administration directly.

How do I check the status of my claim?

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount, or call 1-800-772-1213. Have your confirmation number (from your receipt notice) ready. Online, you can see your claim status, estimated approval date, and any requests for additional information. By phone, a representative can give you the same information.

Do I have to file in person?

No. Online filing is available for retirement and survivor benefits and is usually the fastest method. Phone filing is also available for most claim types. In-person filing is an option if you prefer to speak with someone face-to-face or if you have documents that are difficult to submit online.

What if I made a mistake on my application?

Contact the Social Security Administration as soon as you notice the error — by phone at 1-800-772-1213, through your my Social Security account, or in person at your local office. Errors in your name, birth date, or work history can affect your benefit amount, so correct them before your claim is approved. If you discover an error after approval, you can still request a correction.