You need to contact Social Security directly to begin receiving payments

Social Security does not start automatically. You must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to request benefits. The SSA will review your work history, age, and other factors to determine what you can receive and when payments begin. Most people contact SSA between one and four months before they want payments to start, though you can apply at any time.

You have three main ways to contact SSA: visit a local Social Security office in person, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or start an application online at ssa.gov. The online route is fastest for retirement benefits if you are 61 or older. If you are applying for disability or survivor benefits, you will likely need to speak with someone by phone or in person because those applications involve more detailed questions about your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Social Security yourself—the agency does not reach out to you when you become old enough or disabled.
  • Retirement benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait until your full retirement age or later.
  • Disability and survivor benefits require medical evidence or proof of your relationship to a deceased worker, not just age.
  • The application process takes four to six weeks for retirement benefits and two to three months for disability claims.
  • You will need documents like your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax records showing your work history.

What documents you need before you contact Social Security

Gather these items before you call or visit: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency status, and a government-issued photo ID. If you are applying for retirement benefits, have your most recent tax return or W-2 forms available so SSA can verify your work history. If you are applying for disability benefits, bring medical records showing your condition and how it limits your ability to work.

If you are applying as a survivor (because a family member who worked died), you will need the deceased worker's Social Security number, death certificate, and proof of your relationship to them—a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers depending on your connection. If you are divorced and applying based on an ex-spouse's record, bring your divorce decree and proof that you were married for at least 10 years.

How retirement benefits work and when you can start

You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive each month depends on when you claim. If you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be roughly 30 percent smaller than if you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year). If you wait until age 70, your payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age.

Your payment amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, SSA counts zero-earning years, which lowers your average. You must have earned at least 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits—most people earn four credits per year, so 40 credits typically means 10 years of work. SSA will tell you exactly how many credits you have when you contact them.

Once you start receiving retirement benefits, the payments continue for life. They increase slightly each year based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which varies year to year. You can work while receiving benefits, but if you are under your full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount (which changes yearly), SSA will reduce your monthly payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit.

How disability benefits work and what you must prove

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people under full retirement age who cannot work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You do not have to be a certain age to receive SSDI, but you must have earned enough work credits—usually 20 credits in the 10 years before you became disabled, though younger workers need fewer credits.

SSA will request medical records from your doctors, hospitals, and any specialists treating your condition. You should provide records showing your diagnosis, test results, treatment history, and how your condition affects your daily activities and ability to work. If you do not have recent medical records, SSA may schedule you for a consultative exam with a doctor they choose, at no cost to you. The entire disability review process typically takes two to three months, though some cases take longer if SSA needs more medical information.

If SSA denies your claim, you can request reconsideration within 60 days. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people are denied on their first application but approved after a hearing, so do not assume a denial is final.

How survivor benefits work if a family member died

If someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, their family members may receive survivor benefits based on that person's work record. may be able to access survivors include a widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled), a widow or widower of any age caring for the deceased's child under 16, unmarried children under 19 (or up to 22 if in high school full-time), and parents age 62 or older who depended on the deceased for support.

Each family member receives a portion of the deceased worker's benefit amount. The total paid to all family members combined cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the deceased worker was receiving or would have received. SSA calculates each person's share based on their relationship and age. A surviving spouse and children typically each receive 75 percent of the worker's benefit, though the exact amount depends on how many survivors there are.

You must report the death to Social Security within two months. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. Bring the death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Survivor benefits can begin as soon as the month of death, though SSA may need time to process the claim.

The application process and what happens after you apply

If you apply online at ssa.gov, you can complete a retirement benefit application in about 15 minutes. You will create a my Social Security account, answer questions about your work history and family, and submit. SSA will contact you if they need more information. Processing typically takes four to six weeks for retirement claims.

If you apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213, an SSA representative will ask similar questions and file your application. You do not need to mail anything unless SSA specifically requests documents. Phone applications take the same time to process as online applications.

If you apply in person at a local Social Security office, bring all your documents and expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes. You can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. In-person applications are useful if you have questions during the process or if you are applying for disability or survivor benefits, which involve more complex questions.

After you submit your application, SSA will send you a notice by mail confirming receipt. If they need additional documents or information, they will contact you by phone or mail. Once approved, your first payment arrives by direct deposit (which SSA requires) or by check if you cannot set up direct deposit. Your first payment may arrive within two weeks of approval, or it may take longer depending on when in the month you were approved.

What to do if Social Security denies your claim

If SSA denies your claim, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. For retirement benefits, denial usually means you do not have enough work credits or you are not yet old enough. For disability benefits, denial usually means SSA determined your condition does not prevent you from working or you do not have enough work credits.

You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to request reconsideration. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at your local office. Reconsideration means SSA will review your case again, often with a different reviewer. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within another 60 days. At a hearing, you can present evidence and testimony about why you should receive benefits. Many disability claims are approved at the hearing stage even if they were denied twice before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Social Security if I did not work in the United States?

You must have earned at least 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of U.S. work) to receive retirement benefits on your own record. If you are a non-citizen, you must also be a lawful permanent resident or meet other residency requirements. Some people can receive benefits based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record even if they did not work enough themselves.

What happens to my benefits if I move out of the country?

You can receive Social Security benefits while living outside the United States, with some exceptions. Citizens of most countries can receive payments anywhere. Citizens of certain countries (including Cuba, North Korea, and a few others) cannot receive benefits while living there. Contact SSA before you move to confirm your situation.

Can I change my mind after I start receiving benefits?

You can withdraw your application within 12 months of filing if you have not yet reached your full retirement age. If you withdraw, you must repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. If you have already reached full retirement age, you can suspend benefits temporarily to allow them to grow larger, but this is different from withdrawing.

How much does it cost to apply for Social Security?

There is no fee to apply for Social Security benefits. SSA does not charge for applications, reconsiderations, or hearings. Be cautious of websites or people offering to help you for a fee—you can always contact SSA directly at no cost.

When will I receive my first payment after I am approved?

Payments typically begin the month after you are approved, though the exact timing depends on when in the month you were approved and your birth date. Your first payment arrives by direct deposit or check within two weeks of the approval date in most cases, though processing can take longer during busy periods.