The Social Security Administration runs the programs you've heard of, but it's not one office you call

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency that manages Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. It also runs Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program for people with low income and limited resources. The SSA has a national office in Baltimore, but you don't contact it directly for most things. Instead, you work with your local Social Security office, which handles applications, benefit changes, and account questions for your area.

The SSA maintains your earnings record, calculates your benefit amount based on your work history, and processes payments every month. It also issues Social Security cards and verifies your number for employers. If you need to change your address, report a death, or ask about your benefit amount, your local office is where you start — either by phone, in person, or through the SSA's website.

Key Takeaways

  • The Social Security Administration is a federal agency that runs retirement, disability, survivor, and SSI programs, but you contact your local Social Security office, not a national headquarters.
  • You can reach the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visiting your local office in person, or using ssa.gov to create an account and manage your benefits online.
  • The SSA keeps your earnings record and uses it to calculate your benefit amount, so checking your record for errors is important before you turn 62 or file for disability.
  • If you disagree with a decision about your benefits, you can file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice, and the SSA has a formal process for each stage of appeal.

How to contact your local Social Security office

The fastest way to reach the SSA is by phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing). The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the week. When you call, you'll reach an automated system that can handle some requests — like checking your benefit amount or scheduling an appointment — without talking to a person.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. To find the address and hours, go to ssa.gov/locator or call the main number above. Walk-in hours vary by office, and some locations now require you to make an appointment first. Bring your Social Security card, photo ID, and any documents related to your question (like a birth certificate if you're changing your name, or a wage statement if you're disputing your earnings record).

Online, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you're logged in, you can view your earnings record, check your benefit estimate, change your address, set up direct deposit, and request a replacement Social Security card in some states. You cannot file for benefits online yet, but you can start an application and finish it by phone or in person.

Understanding your Social Security earnings record

The SSA keeps a record of every year you worked and how much you earned. This record is used to calculate your retirement benefit, disability benefit, and survivor benefit. If you worked under a different name or Social Security number at any point, or if your employer reported your earnings incorrectly, errors can reduce your benefit amount.

You can view your earnings record free through your my Social Security account, or you can request a printed copy by mail. The SSA recommends checking your record every few years, especially before you turn 62 (when you can first claim retirement benefits) or if you file for disability. If you find an error — a year with no earnings when you know you worked, or an amount that's clearly wrong — contact your local office with proof of your earnings, like old tax returns or W-2 forms. The SSA can correct errors going back up to three years, three months, and 15 days from the date you report them.

How the SSA calculates your benefit amount

Your Social Security benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. The SSA uses a formula that replaces a percentage of your average earnings — the exact percentage depends on when you claim. If you claim at your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), you get 100 percent of your calculated benefit. If you claim earlier, at 62, your benefit is reduced by about 30 percent. If you delay claiming until 70, your benefit increases by about 24 percent per year you wait.

You can see an estimate of your benefit amount through your my Social Security account, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask. The estimate assumes you'll keep working until you claim, so if you plan to stop working sooner, the number may be higher. The SSA also sends a statement to people age 60 and older who don't yet have a my Social Security account — this statement shows your estimated benefits at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70.

Filing for benefits and what to expect

You can file for retirement benefits as early as age 62, for disability benefits at any age if you have a severe condition expected to last at least 12 months, or for survivor benefits if you're the spouse or child of someone who died. The SSA processes applications in the order they're received, and the time it takes varies. Retirement applications usually take two to four weeks. Disability applications take much longer — often three to six months for an initial decision, and longer if you appeal.

When you file, the SSA will ask for documents like your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax returns or W-2 forms. If you're filing for disability, you'll also need medical records showing your condition. You can file by phone, in person, or by starting an application online and finishing it over the phone. Once you file, the SSA will contact you if it needs more information.

What to do if the SSA denies your claim or you disagree with a decision

If the SSA denies your application or makes a decision you disagree with, you have the right to appeal. You must file your appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice of decision. There are four stages of appeal: reconsideration (the SSA reviews your case again), hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and federal court.

Most people start with reconsideration, which you can request by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local office. You can submit new evidence at this stage — for example, if you were denied disability benefits, you can submit updated medical records. If reconsideration is denied and you want to continue, you can request a hearing before a judge. At a hearing, you can present evidence and testify, and you can bring a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate). The judge will make a new decision based on all the evidence.

Getting help from a representative

You can hire a lawyer or a non-lawyer representative (called an accredited representative) to help you with your Social Security case. Representatives can help you gather documents, prepare for a hearing, and file appeals. If you win your case and receive back pay, the representative can charge you a fee — but the fee is limited by law. For cases decided before a judge, the fee cannot exceed 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. The SSA must approve the fee before the representative can collect it.

If you can't afford a representative, you can contact a legal aid organization in your area. Many offer free help with Social Security cases. You can find a legal aid office through the Legal Services Corporation website or by calling 211 and asking for legal aid in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I replace a lost or stolen Social Security card?

You can request a replacement card free through your my Social Security account (in most states), by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. You'll need to show proof of identity and citizenship or legal residency. If you request it online or by mail, the card usually arrives within two weeks.

Can I work and still receive Social Security benefits?

Yes, but if you claim before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount, your benefits will be reduced. For 2024, if you're under full retirement age for the entire year, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. Once you reach full retirement age, there's no earnings limit.

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

You can receive Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits while living outside the United States, with some exceptions. Citizens of certain countries cannot receive benefits while living there. Contact your local Social Security office or the SSA's international program office before you move to find out whether your benefits will continue.

How long does it take to get a decision on a disability application?

Initial decisions usually take three to six months, but it varies by state and how complex your case is. If the SSA denies your application and you appeal, a hearing before a judge can take one to two years. You can check the status of your application through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

If you claimed retirement benefits and changed your mind within 12 months, you can withdraw your application and repay the benefits you received. This resets your claim, and you can file again later at a higher benefit amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.