How Do I apply for Social Security Benefits?

To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).  You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms and they can answer any questions you may have.

Retirement Benefits

If you pay Social Security taxes while you work, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits.

The number of credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits, which translate into approximately 10 years of work.

Eligible recipients may start receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.  The earlier you apply, the more reduced the benefits you receive will be; however, you will receive them for a longer amount of time.  Thus, to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, you must be at least 61 years and 9 months of age and want your benefits to start in the next three months.

To figure out what your retirement benefits will amount to, use the SSA’s Retirement Estimator.

Disability Benefits

Federal law dictates very strict requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits:  you must be unable to perform work of any kind and your disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death.

In general, to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:

• A “recent work” test based on your age at the time you became disabled; and

• A “duration of work” test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security.

Processing a disability application can take up to five months, so you should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled.  If that application is denied, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

If your request for disability benefits is approved, the benefits will be paid beginning the sixth full month after the date SSA decides the disability began. 

Certain family members of disabled workers also can receive money from Social Security.  Eligible persons include:

• Your spouse, if he or she is 62 or older;

• Your spouse, at any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is younger than age 16 or disabled;

• Your unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be younger than age 18 or younger than 19 if in elementary or secondary school full time; and

• Your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22. (The child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability for adults.)

How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an income assistance program for people who are elderly (65 or older), blind or disabled (physical or mental problem expected to last at least one year or result in death) who don't have many assets (the things you own are worth less than $2,000) and who don't earn much money (less than $520/per month if you don't work, and $1,073/per month if you work).
The program is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. 

To apply for benefits, contact SSA at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).  You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms and they can answer any questions you may have.

SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool can help you determine which SSA benefits you are eligible for.

How do I apply for Survivors' Benefits?

Benefits if you are the widow or widower.
If you are the widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can:

• receive benefits at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age 60.

• begin receiving benefits as early as age 50 if you are disabled.

• receive survivors benefits at any age if you take care of the deceased worker's child who is under age 16 or is disabled and receives benefits on the worker's record.

Benefits if you are the surviving divorced spouse.
If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more.

Benefits if you are the worker’s minor or disabled child.
If you are the unmarried child under 18 of a worker who dies, you also can be eligible to receive Social Security survivor benefits. 

If you were disabled before the age of 22 and remain disabled, you may also be eligible for benefits at any age under the disabled children qualifications. 

How do I apply for Medicare Benefits?

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if:

• you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment,

• you are 65 years or older or if you have a disability, and

• you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

You will be eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, Social Security will contact you a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and give you the information you need to register.

If you are not already getting checks, you should contact SSA at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare.