What you can do on the Social Security Administration website

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs ssa.gov, where you can view your earnings record, check your benefit statement, change your address, report a death, and in some cases request a replacement Social Security card. You do not need to visit an office in person for many routine tasks. The site also holds information about how benefits work, who may be may have access to to them, and what documents you will need.

Not every transaction happens online. Some requests — like applying for retirement or disability benefits for the first time — still require you to start the process through the website but may need follow-up by phone or in person. Other tasks, like changing your direct deposit information or updating your phone number, can be completed entirely online if you have set up an account.

The website is free. SSA does not charge for any service it provides, and no third party can charge you to use ssa.gov or to contact SSA on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a free my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your earnings record, check your benefit amount, and update your contact information without visiting an office.
  • The website lets you report a death, request a replacement Social Security card, and change your direct deposit details, though some requests still require a phone call or office visit to complete.
  • SSA phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone, and you can also visit a local Social Security office by appointment.
  • If you are applying for benefits for the first time, you will start online but may need to provide documents or answer questions by phone before your case is approved.
  • No legitimate SSA service costs money, and you should never pay someone to help you use the website or contact SSA.

Creating and using a my Social Security account

To access most online services, you need a my Social Security account. You create one at ssa.gov by entering your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. SSA will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your financial history or by uploading a photo of your driver's license or passport.

Once your account is set up, you can view your earnings record (the wages SSA has on file for you), see an estimate of your retirement or disability benefit, change your address or phone number, and report a death in your family. You can also set up or change your direct deposit information so benefits go to your bank account instead of a paper check.

If you cannot verify your identity online, SSA will tell you to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Some people — particularly those over 75 or those who have not worked recently — may not have enough financial history in SSA's records to verify online, and that is normal.

What documents you need for different requests

The documents you need depend on what you are doing. If you are requesting a replacement Social Security card, you will need to prove your identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), prove your citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, passport, or immigration document), and in some cases prove your age. You can submit these documents online by uploading photos or by mail.

If you are reporting a death, you will need the deceased person's Social Security number and the date of death. You can report this online or by phone. SSA will then contact the family to explain what benefits may be available to a surviving spouse, child, or parent.

If you are applying for retirement or disability benefits, SSA will ask for your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, W-2 forms or tax returns, and bank account information for direct deposit. You do not need to have all of these ready before you start the online form — SSA will tell you what is missing and give you time to gather it.

Applying for benefits online

You can start an application for retirement, disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on ssa.gov. The online form walks you through questions about your work history, family situation, and the reason you are applying. You can save your progress and come back to it later if you do not finish in one sitting.

After you submit the form, SSA will contact you — usually by phone — to ask follow-up questions and request documents. This process typically takes two to four weeks, though disability cases often take longer. You will be assigned a case worker who will call you at the number you provided, so make sure it is one where you can be reached during business hours.

You can check the status of your application by logging into your my Social Security account. The status page will tell you what stage your case is in and what documents SSA is still waiting for.

Contacting Social Security by phone or in person

If you cannot complete your task online, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You can also call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.

You can visit a local Social Security office by appointment. To schedule one, go to ssa.gov, click "Locations," enter your zip code, and select the office nearest you. You can book an appointment online or by phone. Bring your Social Security card, a photo ID, and any documents related to your request.

If you are calling about an existing case, have your Social Security number ready. If you are calling on behalf of someone else, you will need written permission from that person, and SSA may ask you to mail in a signed form before discussing their case.

Understanding your earnings record and benefit estimate

Your earnings record is the list of wages SSA has on file for each year you worked. You can view it in your my Social Security account. Check it for accuracy — if an employer reported your wages under the wrong name or Social Security number, your benefit amount could be lower than it should be.

If you find an error, contact SSA by phone or visit a local office. You will need to provide your W-2 form or tax return for the year in question. SSA can correct the record, but you should report errors as soon as you notice them, because there are time limits for how far back SSA can adjust your record.

Your benefit estimate shows how much you would receive each month if you started benefits at different ages. For retirement, the amount increases the longer you wait to start — if you start at 62, you get less per month than if you wait until 67 or 70. The estimate is based on your current earnings record, so if you are still working, the estimate will go up as you earn more.

Reporting changes and staying current

If your address, phone number, or direct deposit information changes, update it in your my Social Security account as soon as possible. If you cannot do it online, call 1-800-772-1213. Keeping your information current makes sure SSA can reach you if there is a problem with your case or your benefits.

If you are receiving benefits and your situation changes — you get married, divorced, move out of the country, or start working — you must report it to SSA. Some changes affect your benefit amount or your right to receive benefits. You can report most changes online or by phone.

If someone in your household dies, report it to SSA right away. The surviving family members may be may have access to to benefits, and SSA needs to stop paying the deceased person's benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use ssa.gov to enter my Social Security number?

Yes. ssa.gov is the official Social Security Administration website and uses encryption to protect your information. Do not enter your Social Security number on any other website, even if it looks like the SSA site. Scammers sometimes create fake websites that look real. Always type ssa.gov directly into your browser or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm a website is real.

What if I cannot verify my identity online?

If the online verification process does not work for you, SSA will direct you to call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. You can verify your identity in person with a photo ID and Social Security card. This is common and does not delay your case.

Can I apply for benefits on behalf of someone else?

You can help someone fill out the online form, but they must submit it themselves using their own my Social Security account. If they cannot create an account or use the website, call 1-800-772-1213 to start an application by phone. You will need their permission and may need to provide a signed form giving you authority to act on their behalf.

How long does it take to hear back after I apply online?

Retirement applications usually take two to four weeks. Disability and SSI applications take longer — often three to six months or more — because SSA must review medical evidence. You can check your application status in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

What if I see an error on my benefit statement?

Contact SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Bring documents that show the correct information, such as a W-2 or tax return. SSA can correct errors in your earnings record, but you should report them as soon as you notice them.