Ways to ApplyYou can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online. Show
If you cannot submit your application online:
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 BenefitsYou 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 If you are almost 65, your application for benefits will include Medicare. Information You May Need to Apply:
Disability BenefitsYou can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started. Information You May Need to Apply:
Appeal a Disability DecisionIf 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 BenefitsYou 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 CostsYou can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) BenefitsIf you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read: How Do I Apply For SSI? Survivors BenefitsYou 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. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person's death to Social Security. If you want them to do that, you will need to give the deceased's Social Security Number to the funeral director so they can make the report. If you are getting benefits on your spouse's or parent's record:
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:
Children's BenefitsYou cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read: Information You Need to Apply for Child's Benefits Check the Status of Your ApplicationAfter 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. Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Who can apply for adult disability benefits online? You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: What information do I need to apply for benefits? We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier. Information About You
Information About Your Medical Condition
Information About Your Work
What documents do I need to provide? We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:
ImportantWe accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.) Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them. Mailing Your DocumentsIf you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents. If you do not want to mail these documents, you may bring them to a Social Security office. Do not mail foreign birth records or any documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), especially those you are required to keep with you at all times. These documents are extremely difficult, time-consuming and expensive to replace if lost. Some cannot be replaced. Instead, bring them to a Social Security office where we will examine them and return them to you. What are the advantages of applying using our online disability application process? Our online disability application process offers several advantages. You can:
What happens after I apply? After we receive your online application, we will:
Apply for Disability Return to a Saved Application Check Application Status Publications
Related Information
What about SSI?Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. Learn More... How do I check my Social Security disability status?You can check the status of your application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
How long does it take to hear back after applying for Social Security disability?Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.
Can I check my Social Security disability benefits online?If you applied for Social Security benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your free personal my Social Security account. If you don't have an account, you can create one to see the following information about your claim: Date of filing.
How do I find out if my SSI claim is pending?If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm; or contact your local Social Security office.
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