The Social Security Administration runs the programs that pay retirement, disability, and survivor benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency that manages Social Security itself. It collects payroll taxes, keeps records of your earnings, decides who gets benefits and how much, and sends out monthly payments. If you have questions about your Social Security account, need a replacement card, want to report a change in your life, or think there is an error in your record, you contact SSA — not a separate office.

SSA also runs Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate program that pays people with disabilities, blindness, or age 65 and older who have very low income and few assets. SSI is not based on work history the way Social Security is. The same agency handles both, which can be confusing because the rules, payment amounts, and what counts as income are different for each program.

Understanding which SSA office or tool handles your specific need saves time. SSA has local field offices in most towns, a national toll-free number, an online account portal called my Social Security, and a network of representatives who can help you in person or by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • SSA is a single federal agency that runs both Social Security retirement and disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), though the programs have different rules and payment amounts.
  • You can reach SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visiting your local field office, or creating an account at ssa.gov to check your record and manage your benefits online.
  • SSA keeps a record of your earnings history and uses it to calculate your benefit amount, so checking your record every few years for errors is important before you turn 60.
  • If you disagree with an SSA decision about your benefits, you have the right to appeal, and the process has specific steps and deadlines that vary depending on what SSA decided.

How to contact SSA by phone, in person, or online

The main SSA phone line is 1-800-772-1213, available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the week. You can also call your local SSA field office directly — SSA's website has a field office locator where you enter your zip code and get the phone number and hours for the office nearest you.

If you prefer to visit in person, bring a photo ID and any documents related to your question — for example, a birth certificate if you are applying for a card, or a recent letter from SSA if you are asking about a decision. Walk-in hours vary by office. Some offices take appointments only; others have walk-in times. Calling ahead tells you what to expect and whether you need an appointment.

Online, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can view your earnings record, see an estimate of your future benefits, change your address or phone number, request a replacement Social Security card, and report a change in your income or living situation if you receive SSI. You do not need to call or visit an office for these routine tasks.

What your Social Security earnings record contains and why errors matter

SSA maintains a record of every year you worked and how much you earned in wages or self-employment income. This record is called your earnings history. When you turn 62, SSA uses this history to calculate your retirement benefit. If you have a disability or are the spouse or child of someone who died, SSA uses it to calculate those benefits too. The more you earned and the longer you worked, the higher your benefit will be.

Errors in your earnings record can lower your benefit by hundreds of dollars per month. Common mistakes include wages posted to the wrong year, wages not posted at all, or wages posted under a slightly different spelling of your name. SSA usually catches these within a few years, but not always. If you worked under a different name (for example, before marriage) or had multiple jobs in one year, check your record yourself.

You can view your earnings record free through my Social Security online, or you can request a printed statement by calling 1-800-772-1213. SSA recommends checking your record every few years and reporting any errors within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year the error occurred — after that, SSA cannot correct it. If you find an error, call SSA or visit your local field office with your W-2s or tax returns as proof.

Replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card

You can order a replacement Social Security card online through my Social Security without calling or visiting an office. Log in to your account, select "Replacement Social Security Card," and follow the steps. SSA will mail the card to your address on file, usually within two weeks. You do not pay a fee.

If you cannot use the online tool — for example, because you do not have an online account or your identity cannot be verified — visit your local SSA field office with a photo ID and proof of citizenship or legal residency (such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers). Bring documents showing your current name and address if they differ from your Social Security record. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

SSA limits the number of replacement cards you can get in a year (usually three) and in your lifetime (usually ten). If you have lost your card many times, SSA may ask why before issuing another one.

Reporting changes in your life to SSA

If you receive Social Security or SSI benefits, you must tell SSA about certain changes within 30 days. These include a change in your address, phone number, or direct deposit account; a change in your marital status; a new job or change in income; a move out of the country; or a change in your living situation (for example, moving in with someone else). For SSI recipients, changes in income and living arrangements can affect your payment amount.

You can report most changes through my Social Security online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local field office. If you receive SSI and your income or living situation changes, call or visit in person rather than using the online tool, because SSA may need to ask follow-up questions to understand how the change affects your benefits.

If you do not report a change and SSA overpays you as a result, you will have to repay the money. SSA can take the overpayment from your future benefits, your tax refund, or other sources. Reporting changes promptly protects you from owing money later.

Understanding SSA decisions and how to appeal

When SSA makes a decision about your benefits — for example, denying your application, changing your payment amount, or stopping your benefits — it sends you a written notice. The notice explains the decision, the reason for it, and your right to appeal. Read the notice carefully and keep it, because you will need it if you disagree.

If you disagree with an SSA decision, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process has four levels: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and federal court. At each level, you have a deadline to file — usually 60 days from the date on the notice, though you can ask SSA to extend the deadline if you have good reason. Missing the deadline can mean losing your right to appeal.

You do not have to hire a lawyer to appeal, but many people do, especially for the hearing stage. A lawyer or representative can charge you a fee only if you win, and SSA must approve the fee (usually up to 25 percent of your back pay). If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask a local legal aid office or disability rights organization for help. Call 211 or search online for legal aid in your area.

Differences between Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

Social Security is based on your work history and payroll taxes. You earn the right to benefits by working and paying into the system. Your benefit amount depends on how much you earned and when you start taking benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based on financial need, not work history. You must have very low income and few assets to receive SSI, and the payment amount is the same for everyone in your state (though it varies by state).

Social Security has no asset limit — you can own a house, a car, and savings and still receive full benefits. SSI has strict asset limits: usually $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Certain assets do not count, such as your home, one car, and items you need for work or school. Income limits also differ: Social Security has no income limit, but SSI counts most income and reduces your payment if you earn money.

You can receive both Social Security and SSI at the same time if your Social Security benefit is very low. SSA will pay your Social Security benefit first, then top it up with SSI if needed to reach the SSI payment level for your state. The rules for reporting changes and appealing decisions are similar for both programs, but the amounts and what counts as income are different.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a my Social Security account?

Go to ssa.gov and click "Create an account." You will need to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history or by uploading a photo of your ID. Once your account is set up, you can log in anytime to view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, change your address, and request a replacement card.

What should I do if I think SSA has my earnings wrong?

View your earnings record through my Social Security or request a printed statement by calling 1-800-772-1213. Compare it to your W-2s or tax returns. If you find an error, call SSA or visit your local field office with proof of the correct amount. Report errors within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year they occurred.

Can I appeal an SSA decision on my own, or do I need a lawyer?

You can appeal on your own at any stage. Many people do at the reconsideration level. For a hearing before an administrative law judge, having a lawyer or representative helps, but is not required. If you win, your representative can charge a fee approved by SSA, usually up to 25 percent of your back pay.

What is the difference between Social Security and SSI?

Social Security is based on work history and payroll taxes; SSI is based on financial need. Social Security has no asset or income limits; SSI has strict limits on both. You can receive both if your Social Security benefit is very low. The payment amounts and rules differ between the two programs.

How long does it take to get a replacement Social Security card?

If you order online through my Social Security, the card usually arrives within two weeks. If you visit a field office in person, SSA can sometimes issue a card the same day, though this varies by location. Call your local office to ask about their process.