If you require immediate assistance please call 215-826-1963 for the fastest response or click here to request assistance via email.

Is there a fast way to figure out whether I qualify for a particular Social Security benefit?

Can I apply for Social Security benefits on the Internet?

Does Social Security have an 800 number that I can call? When is the best time to call Social Security's 800 number?

Where can I find a good outline of Social Security and its various programs?

What should I do if my claim for Social Security benefits was denied?

How can I locate the Social Security Office that services my address?

What should I do if I believe that I am being charged for an overpayment?

What can I do if my claim is taking longer than expected?

How is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

How do I know if I correctly applied for SSI or SSDI, or perhaps made a mistake and applied for the wrong program?

Why does it take so long to get disability compensation?

Can anything be done to speed up action on the case?

I was turned down for disability years ago but I still haven’t been able to work. Is there anything I can do?

How do I report Social Security fraud?

I lost my Social Security card. What should I do?

Do I have to pay income tax on my Social Security benefits?

Is there a fast way to figure out whether I qualify for a particular Social Security benefit?

Yes, the Benefit Eligibility Screen Tool tests for eligibility for: Medicare, Social Security Disability, Social Security Retirement, Social Security Survivors, Special Veterans, and Supplemental Security Income. You can check your eligibility online in five or ten minutes for all of these programs.

Back to top

Can I apply for Social Security benefits on the Internet?

Yes. You can apply for Social Security Retirement benefits, Spouse's benefits or Disability benefits online. When your application is received in your local social security office, they will make sure that SSA has all the information they need to make a decision on your claim.

You will find helpful links to all the online forms you need to apply for disability benefits. Reviewing and collecting the information shown in the Disability Starter Kit will help prepare you for your disability interview or help you to complete your online Disability Report. The Disability Report Form asks for information about your conditions or impairments that prevent you from working.

To prepare for filing retirement benefits, see How to Apply for Retirement Benefits.

At this time, you cannot apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits online. If you wish to file for SSI benefits (aged, blind or disabled), contact the Social Security Administration immediately at 1-800-772-1213, so that you do not lose any potential benefits.

If you are filing for SSI disability for an adult or a child, you can complete the Disability Report online. You can also view the Fact Sheet and Checklist in the Disability Starter Kit to see what information you will need and the kinds of questions we will ask when you have your disability interview in your local Social Security office or over the phone. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office right away so that you do not lose potential benefits, even if you complete the Disability Report online.

Back to top

Does Social Security have an 800 number that I can call? When is the best time to call Social Security's 800 number?

Yes. You can conduct the Social Security Administration 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, by calling their toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. Some of the services available include scheduling an appointment, changing your address, and signing up to send your Social Security check directly to your bank.

You can also use their automated services 24 hours a day to request services such as a replacement Medicare card or Social Security Statement, and a variety of other forms and publications.

Their phone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month, so if your business can wait, it's best to call at other times. However, if you're planning to file for benefits, you should call them as soon as possible. You can help them serve you better by having your Social Security number handy when you call.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call their "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

You can also have pamphlets and other information faxed to you by calling their 24-hour Fax Catalogue number, 1-888-475-7000.

Back to top

Where can I find a good outline of Social Security and its various programs?

One of the best resources is the Social Security Handbook, which provides information about the programs that comprise Social Security.

Back to top

What should I do if my claim for Social Security benefits was denied?

Contact your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request a meeting to review your file and to get an explanation for your denial. You have approx 60 days to file an appeal, if the appeal is denied you are entitled to a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge.

Back to top

How can I locate the Social Security Office that services my address?

A Social Security has more than 1300 offices nationwide to serve you.

There are four ways to find a Social Security office close to you:

• If you live in the United States and you want information and directions to the Social Security office that serves your address, use your ZIP code to find the office; or
• Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the office nearest you; or
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call a "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days; or
• Check your phone book; look in the blue pages under "US Government".

Back to top

What should I do if I believe that I am being charged for an overpayment?

If you are being charged an overpayment, you should immediately contact your local SSA office and request an application for reconsideration and waiver. A reconsideration means that you realize that you were overpaid and may be able to pay back a portion of the overpayment. A Waiver means that the SSA made an error that you feel you should not be held responsible for because it would cause a financial burden.

Back to top

What can I do if my claim is taking longer than expected?

If you have already tried calling the local SSA office without success, Congressman Murphy’s office is able to place an inquiry on the status of your claim. To request help contact our office via our service request webform, or call 215-826-1963.

Back to top

How is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program that is funded by your payroll taxes; it works like a kind of disability insurance program. If you have paid payroll taxes for the required numbers of quarters, you will have insured status and you will be entitled to coverage under the program if you meet the legal definition of disability. SSI is a program that does not require insured status but you must still be disabled to qualify. SSI benefits are more limited than SSDI benefits, normally, and they are not payable if an applicant has other household income beyond a threshold amount.

Back to top

How do I know if I correctly applied for SSI or SSDI, or perhaps made a mistake and applied for the wrong program?

Ordinarily, if there is any question whether a claimant is eligible for one of the programs, the Social Security office assisting with the application will see that the application is made to both programs.

Back to top

Why does it take so long to get disability compensation?

Even if there is no question that you are disabled, no benefits are payable for the first five months after you become disabled because Social Security Disability has a five-month waiting period by law. Additionally, there is an application backlog within the SSA meaning that complex reviews of disability cases may take even longer than originally expected. Finally, it takes time to obtain medical reports from your doctor or hospital and have them reviewed properly. Disability cases are often delayed because the reviewing agency is waiting for additional medical evidence to come from the claimant’s physician. Cases sent to the Appeals Council can take much longer than a year. However, Congressman Murphy’s office is able to check on the status of a case that has taken longer than expected, given these conditions. To request help contact our office via our service request webform, or call 215-826-1963.

Back to top

Can anything be done to speed up action on the case?

Sometimes action can be expedited if there is a showing that a foreclosure on a home or an eviction or a similar difficulty is imminent. You should contact our office via our service request webform, or call 215-826-1963 with that information and any documentation that will show the problem.

Back to top

I was turned down for disability years ago but I still haven’t been able to work. Is there anything I can do?

Even if you are past your appeal period from you earlier denial, you can reapply. Sometimes a condition that was not found to be initially disabling might have grown worse over time. Reapplying for disability coverage would likely not result in back-payments, but it may provide you with compensation. The longer you wait to reapply without a history of work, however, the closer you come to losing your insured status for SSDI payments.

Back to top

How do I report Social Security fraud?

The Social Security Administration considers reports of fraud very seriously. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigates instances of Social Security-related fraud, waste, and program abuse. You may report instances of potential fraud directly to OIG by one of the following methods:

• call toll-free: 1-800-269-0271
• People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call a toll-free TTY number, 1-866-501-2101
• send a FAX to: 410-597-0118
• use the online Fraud Reporting form
• write to: Social Security Administration OIG Hotline
  P.O. Box 17768
  Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Be sure to include as much of the following information as you can:

• name, address, telephone number, and Social Security number (SSN) of the person suspected of fraud. If the SSN is unknown, include as much identifying information as possible, e.g., the individual's date and place of birth, father's name, and mother's birth name;
• a complete description of the potential fraud incident;
• your name, address, and telephone number.

Without sufficient identifying information, OIG will be unable to act on your allegation.

Back to top

I lost my Social Security card. What should I do?

If you have lost your card, you may apply for a replacement but Social Security takes no action just because it has been lost. Reporting a lost or stolen card to us will not prevent its misuse.

However, a person using your card or number can get other personal information about you and apply for credit in your name. So if you suspect someone is using your number, you should take these steps to protect yourself and your financial health:

• Educate yourself about identity theft;
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission;
• Check your Social Security record (call toll-free 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ensure your income is calculated correctly; and
• Monitor your credit reports.

For more information, see:

• Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number (Publication No. 05-10064); and
• The Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft web page.

In most cases, the only time you will need to produce your card is when you apply for employment. Therefore, if you anticipate starting new employment, you should request a replacement card in advance.

You can replace your card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in non-citizen status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

For more information about getting a replacement card, see Documents You Need for a Social Security Card. See also the Question, Where should I send my completed Application for a Social Security Card?

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you.

Back to top

Do I have to pay income tax on my Social Security benefits?

Some people who get Social Security will have to pay taxes on their benefits. Less than one-third of current beneficiaries pay taxes on their benefits.

You will have to pay federal taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your total income is more than $25,000. If you file a joint return, you will have to pay taxes if you and your spouse have a total income that is more than $32,000.

For more information, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for IRS Publication Number 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-4059.

This publication is also available as Publication 915 on the IRS Web site.

Back to top