Where and how to start your Social Security application

You can apply for Social Security in three ways: online through ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online application is the fastest route — you can complete it at your own pace and submit it without waiting for an appointment. If you call, a representative will walk you through the questions and submit the form for you. In-person applications take longer because you need to schedule an appointment, but some people prefer them if they have questions during the process.

Before you start, gather documents that prove your identity, age, and citizenship or legal residency. You will need your birth certificate, passport, or state ID. If you were born outside the United States, bring your green card or visa. Have your Social Security number ready, and if you are applying for benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record, bring their Social Security number too. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will ask for these during your application.

The online application at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/apply.html takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents nearby. You create a my Social Security account first, then complete the application form. The SSA will tell you immediately whether they need additional documents from you. If you apply by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays — wait times are shortest early in the morning.

Key Takeaways

  • You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office; online is usually fastest.
  • Have your birth certificate, state ID or passport, and Social Security number ready before you start, plus your spouse's Social Security number if you are applying based on their record.
  • The SSA will ask about your work history, income, and when you want benefits to start; your age determines which benefits you can receive.
  • After you submit your application, the SSA will contact you if they need more information; approval typically takes two to four weeks.
  • You can change your mind within 12 months of starting benefits and ask to suspend them, though this affects how much you receive later.

What information the SSA will ask for

The application form asks about your work history, income, and family situation. You will need to list every job you have held and the years you worked there — the SSA uses this to calculate your benefit amount. If you have worked under different names (because of marriage or legal name change), list all of them. The SSA will cross-check your work history against tax records, so be as accurate as you can.

You will also answer questions about your current income, including wages, self-employment income, and pensions. If you are still working, this matters because the SSA reduces benefits for people under full retirement age who earn above a certain amount. That limit changes each year — in 2024 it was $23,400 annually, but you should check the current year's limit on ssa.gov before you apply.

The form asks when you want your benefits to start. You can claim as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait. If you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), you get your full benefit amount. If you wait until 70, your benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. The SSA will show you estimates for each age so you can see the difference.

Documents you need to submit with your application

The SSA requires proof of identity and age. An original or certified birth certificate is the strongest proof of age. If you do not have one, a passport, state ID, or driver's license works. For identity, bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you were born outside the United States, bring your green card, visa, or naturalization papers.

If you are applying based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record, bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree. If your ex-spouse has died, bring their death certificate. If you are applying for benefits on behalf of a child, bring the child's birth certificate and proof that you are their parent or legal guardian.

You do not need to submit these documents when you apply online or by phone. Instead, the SSA will tell you which documents to mail or bring to your local office. If you apply online, you can upload images of your documents directly into your my Social Security account. If you apply by phone or in person, the SSA will give you instructions on where to send them.

What happens after you submit your application

The SSA will send you a notice within two to four weeks. If they approve your application, the notice will show your benefit amount and when payments start. If they need more information, they will list what documents or details they need and how to send them. Do not ignore a request for more information — if you do not respond within 60 days, the SSA may deny your application.

Your first payment arrives by direct deposit or check, depending on how you set it up. If you chose direct deposit during your application, your bank account will be funded on the third or fourth Wednesday of the month. If you chose a check, it arrives by mail around the same time. The SSA sends payments monthly for the rest of your life.

After you start receiving benefits, the SSA sends you a benefit statement each year showing your payment amount and any changes. You can view your account anytime through my Social Security to check your payment history or update your direct deposit information.

Applying based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record

If you are married or were previously married, you may be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record instead of your own. This is called a spousal benefit. You must be at least 62 years old, and your spouse must already be receiving benefits (or be at least 62 if you are applying for a divorced spouse's benefit). The spousal benefit is usually half of what your spouse receives, though it may be less depending on your age and your own work record.

To apply for a spousal benefit, include your spouse's Social Security number on your application form. If you are divorced, you can apply for an ex-spouse's benefit even if they have not applied yet, as long as you were married for at least 10 years and you are at least 62. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission. The SSA will contact them to verify the marriage, but they will not know you applied unless you tell them.

If you are may be able to access for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit, the SSA will calculate which combination gives you the most money. You cannot choose to take only the spousal benefit and let your own benefit grow — if you were born after January 1, 1954, you will receive a combination of both.

Changing your mind or suspending benefits

You have 12 months after you start receiving benefits to change your mind and ask the SSA to stop your payments. This is called a withdrawal. If you withdraw, you must repay all the benefits you received, but your benefit amount will be higher when you restart. This strategy works only if you have the money to repay the SSA — most people do not.

If you have already been receiving benefits for more than 12 months, you can still suspend your benefits at your full retirement age or later. Suspending means your payments stop, but your benefit amount increases by about 8 percent per year until you restart or reach age 70. You can restart anytime. This is different from withdrawal because you do not have to repay anything.

To withdraw or suspend, contact the SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. You will need to sign a form requesting the change. The SSA will process it within a few weeks.

If the SSA denies your application

The SSA denies applications when you do not meet the basic requirements — for example, if you are not yet 62, or if you do not have enough work history to may have access to. You need at least 10 years of work (40 work credits) to receive retirement benefits on your own record. If you do not have enough credits, you may still may have access to for a spousal or survivor benefit if you are married or widowed.

If the SSA denies your application, they will send you a notice explaining why. You have 60 days to file an appeal. To appeal, contact the SSA and ask for a reconsideration. A different person will review your case and your documents. If you disagree with the reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people hire a lawyer for the hearing stage — lawyers who handle Social Security cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply before I turn 62?

Yes. You can apply up to four months before you turn 62, and the SSA will process your application so benefits start the month you turn 62. Applying early saves time because the SSA has four months to gather your documents and verify your information.

What if I am still working when I apply?

You can apply and receive benefits while working, but the SSA will reduce your payment if you earn above the annual limit. In 2024, that limit was $23,400 per year for people under full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want without losing benefits. Check ssa.gov for the current year's limit.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most applications are approved within two to four weeks if you submit all required documents. If the SSA needs more information, approval may take longer. Applying online usually speeds up the process because you can upload documents directly.

Can I apply for my child's benefits at the same time?

Yes. If you have children under 19 (or up to 22 if they are full-time students), they may be able to receive benefits based on your work record. Include information about your children when you apply, and the SSA will determine their benefit amount.

What if I made a mistake on my application?

Contact the SSA as soon as you notice the error. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office with corrected documents. The SSA can update your application before it is approved, or correct your record after approval if the error affects your benefit amount.