Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
If you cannot submit your application online:
- You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); or
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits to our offices are by appointment only for certain services. Please visit our Coronavirus page to see if you may be eligible for an in-person appointment.
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 four months in the future.
If you qualify for both retirement and spouse's benefits, please read:
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:
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 don't want your retirement benefits to start, you can just 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 Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
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 7 AM and 7 PM 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 the survivor benefits. We will check to see whether you can get a higher benefit as a widow or widower.
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:
- Widows/Widowers 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 his or her death.)
Children's Benefits
You cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read:
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 Social Security number and confirmation that you received when you applied to use this service.