Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for retirement, spouse's, Medicare, or disability benefits online.
If you cannot submit your application online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m..
If you live outside the U.S., you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence.
Retirement or Spouse's Benefits
You can apply online for retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to start no more than 4 months in the future.
If you are eligible for both retirement and spouse's benefits, please read our publication, If you are eligible for a spouse's benefit and your own retirement benefit.
Information You May Need to Apply:
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Information You May Need to Apply:
If you are eligible for both disability and retirement benefits, you can apply for both and receive retirement benefits while waiting for a decision on your disability application.
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
If you are almost 65 but you want your retirement benefits to start at a later time, you can apply online for Medicare using the "Retirement/Medicare Benefits" application.
Information You May Need to Apply:
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for SSI, please read our publication, How Do I Apply For SSI?.
If you are applying for disability online, you can also apply for SSI at the same time.
Survivors Benefits
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors' benefits online.
If you need to report a death or apply for survivors' benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office.
If you are getting benefits on your spouse's or parent's record:
- We'll automatically change any monthly benefits to survivor benefits after the death is reported to us.
- We may be able to pay the Special Lump Sum Death Benefit automatically.
If you are getting retirement or disability benefits on your own record, you will need to apply for survivor benefits. We will check whether you can get a higher benefit as a surviving spouse.
If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivor benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive.
Information You May Need to Apply:
- Surviving Spouse's or Surviving Divorced Spouse's Benefits.
- Child's Benefits.
- Mother's or Father's Benefits.
- Lump-Sum Death Payment.
- Parent's Benefits.
(You must have been dependent on your child at the time of their death.)
Children's Benefits
You cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read our publication, Information You Need to Apply for Child's Benefits.
Check the Status of Your Application
After you apply, you can check the status of your application online. You will need your SSN and confirmation that you received when you applied to use this service.