Where and how to submit your application
You can apply for Social Security benefits through three routes: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online route is fastest — you create an account, fill out the application, and submit it without waiting. Phone and in-person applications take longer because you have to schedule an appointment, but some people prefer them if they need to ask questions while applying.
The online application at ssa.gov walks you through each question and saves your work if you need to stop and come back. You do not need to print anything or visit an office. If you apply by phone, a representative will ask you the same questions and file the application for you. In-person applications at a local office follow the same process but take the most time to schedule.
Whichever route you choose, you will need the same documents ready before you start. Having them gathered first means you will not have to stop halfway through.
Key Takeaways
- You can apply online at ssa.gov without visiting an office, or by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office.
- You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, tax returns or W-2s from the past two years, and your bank account information for direct deposit.
- You can apply up to four months before you want benefits to start, which means you can apply at 61 if you want retirement benefits at 62.
- The Social Security Administration typically makes a decision within three to five months, though some cases take longer if they need more information from you.
- If you are denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and if denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Documents you need before you apply
Have these documents ready or know where to get them before you start your application. The Social Security Administration will ask for them, and having them on hand speeds up the process.
You will need your original birth certificate or a certified copy. If you were born outside the United States, you will also need proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency — a passport, naturalization certificate, or green card. You will need your Social Security number (you should have a card, but if you do not, you can request a replacement from Social Security). Bring your driver's license or state ID.
For income verification, gather your tax returns from the past two years and your most recent W-2 forms from your employer. If you are self-employed, bring your tax returns and Schedule C. You will also need your bank account number and routing number so Social Security can set up direct deposit — benefits are paid this way, not by check.
If you are applying for benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record, bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you are applying for survivor benefits on behalf of a deceased person, bring their death certificate.
When you can apply and when benefits start
You can apply up to four months before you want your benefits to begin. This means if you want retirement benefits to start at age 62, you can apply when you are 61 and 8 months old. Applying early gives Social Security time to process your application and make a decision before your first payment is due.
The age at which you can receive retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67. You can claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. If you wait until 70, your monthly payment will be higher. Disability benefits and survivor benefits have different age rules — you do not have to be a certain age to receive them if you meet the work history requirement.
Once Social Security approves your application, your first payment usually arrives within one to two months. The exact timing depends on when your benefits are supposed to start and which month you applied.
What happens after you submit your application
After you submit your application, Social Security sends you a notice confirming they received it. You can check the status of your application online if you created an account at ssa.gov, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about it.
Social Security typically makes a decision within three to five months. During this time, they verify your work history, check your age and citizenship, and confirm your income. If they need more information from you, they will mail you a letter asking for it. You usually have 10 days to respond, though you can ask for more time if you need it.
If Social Security approves your application, they send you a notice showing your monthly benefit amount and when payments start. If they deny your application, they send you a notice explaining why and telling you how to appeal.
What to do if your application is denied
If Social Security denies your application, you have the right to challenge the decision. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial notice. You can request reconsideration online, by phone, or in person at a local office.
During reconsideration, Social Security reviews your case again, usually with a different person. This is your chance to submit new documents or information that might change the decision. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days. At a hearing, you can present evidence and testify about why you believe you are may have access to to benefits.
If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and if that is denied, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. Each step has a 60-day deadline to request the next level of appeal.
How your benefit amount is calculated
Your monthly benefit amount is based on your lifetime earnings record. Social Security looks at your 35 highest-earning years and calculates an average. The formula is set by law and does not change based on how much you need or how many dependents you have.
If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, Social Security counts zero-earning years, which lowers your average. If you worked for a government employer and did not pay Social Security taxes, your benefit may be reduced by a rule called the Government Pension Offset or the Windfall Elimination Provision — these rules apply only in specific situations, and Social Security will tell you if one affects you.
If you claim benefits before your full retirement age, your monthly payment is reduced by a percentage that depends on how many months early you claim. If you wait past your full retirement age, your payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70.
Direct deposit and how you receive your payment
Social Security pays all benefits by direct deposit to a bank account. You provide your bank account number and routing number when you apply. Your first payment usually arrives within one to two months after approval.
Payments are deposited on the same day each month — usually the second, third, or fourth Wednesday, depending on your birth date. You can change your bank account information at any time by logging into your account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
If you need to report a change in your circumstances — such as a change in income, a move, or a change in marital status — you can report it online, by phone, or in person. Some changes affect your benefit amount, and some do not, but Social Security needs to know about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply online if I do not have a Social Security account?
Yes. You can create a free account at ssa.gov using your email address and a password. The account creation process takes a few minutes. Once you have an account, you can start your application and save it if you need to come back to it later.
What if I do not have all my documents when I apply?
You can still submit your application. Social Security will ask you for the documents they need, and you can mail or bring them in later. However, your application cannot be approved until Social Security has received and verified all required documents, so having them ready speeds up the process.
How long does it take to get a decision on my application?
Most decisions are made within three to five months. Some cases take longer if Social Security needs to verify information or if they request additional documents from you. You can check the status of your application online or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Can I work while I receive Social Security benefits?
Yes, but if you are under full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount per year, your benefits will be reduced. In 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn.
What if I made a mistake on my application?
Contact Social Security as soon as possible. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office to correct the information. If your application has already been approved, you can still request a correction, and Social Security will recalculate your benefits if the mistake affected your payment amount.