There are several ways you can contact your Social Security Administration office and apply for Social Security benefits: online, in person or over the phone. Read below to find out more about each and learn some helpful application tips.

ONLINE:

File online at the US Social Security Administration webpage by going to www.ssa.gov and selecting the Applying Online for Retirement Benefits button. Here you will also find many other links to assist you, including eligibility issues, frequently asked questions, benefit calculators and other resources.

Eligibility

You can use the online application to apply for Social Security or spouses benefits if you:

• are at least 61 years and 9 months old,
• want to start your benefits in the next four months and
• live in the United States.

Please note, if you want to sign up for Medicare, but do not want to start your Social Security benefits yet, you cannot use the online application. Call the National Social Security office toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local Social Security office to enroll in Medicare.

Online Process

To apply for your benefits online, fill out the online application, confirm the truthfulness of your answers, sign the application electronically and submit any required documents to a Social Security office.

You should allot an estimated 10-30 minutes to complete the online application process. Applying online also gives you the option to begin an application and go back and finish it at an alternate time. Preparing personal documents prior to beginning the application process might help to decrease the time spent on the application.

TELEPHONE:

Call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment and simply let the representative know that you would like to apply for retirement benefits. Make sure to have your information ready. Representatives are available from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. on business days. You may schedule appointments, address changes, or sign up for automatic deposit of Social Security checks by speaking with a representative. You may also use the automated phone services 24 hours a day for certain requests. A TTY line is also available 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. on business days at 1-800-325-0778.

IN-PERSON:

Contact your local Social Security office and schedule an appointment to meet with a claims representative. You may encounter delays if you walk into a field office expecting to file for benefits without an appointment. If you do not know where your local office is located, or have any additional questions regarding Social Security benefits you can contact the Social Security Administration office at 800- 772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov.

Do keep in mind that you will be asked to mail in your original documents (birth certificate, W-2 forms, military discharge papers, etc.), if you choose to file online or by phone and they will mail them back to you.

If you do not want to mail originals you will have to go into your local office so they can look at them and make copies. If you choose to do this, make an appointment to drop off your copies or you will end up taking a number and waiting for someone to call your name/number just to have photocopies made.

Do consider mailing your originals; SSA is sensitive to the need to mail them back immediately.