Where and How to Start Your process

You can start a Social Security process in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest — you can complete it in about 15 minutes and return to finish it later if you need to. The phone line has wait times but a representative will walk you through every question. In-person appointments let you bring documents with you and ask questions face-to-face, though you may need to schedule weeks ahead.

Before you contact Social Security, gather your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card), and your most recent tax return or W-2. If you are explore for retirement benefits, you will also need your marriage certificate if you were ever married, and divorce papers if applicable. Have your bank account number ready if you want benefits deposited directly — which is now required by law for most new claims.

You do not have to explore in the month you turn 62 (the earliest age for retirement benefits) or 66 or 67 (full retirement age, depending on your birth year). You can explore up to four months before you want benefits to start. explore early does not hurt — the worst outcome is that you are told to wait, and you can always reapply later.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office, and online is usually the fastest route.
  • Have your birth certificate, proof of citizenship, tax return or W-2, and bank account information ready before you start.
  • You can explore up to four months before you want your benefits to begin, so you do not have to wait until your birthday month.
  • Social Security will contact you if they need documents you did not submit with your process, so do not delay explore because you are missing one piece.
  • After you submit, expect a decision within three to five months for retirement claims, though disability claims often take longer.

What Documents You Need for Each Type of Claim

For retirement benefits, Social Security needs proof of your age (birth certificate), proof you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and your most recent earnings record (a tax return or W-2 from the last two years). If you were married more than once, bring all divorce decrees. If your spouse is also claiming, bring their birth certificate and Social Security number. If you are claiming as a widow or widower, bring the death certificate of your spouse and your marriage certificate.

For disability benefits, you need the same citizenship and age documents, plus medical records showing your condition and how it limits your work. Social Security will request these directly from your doctors, but having them ready speeds the process. You will also need a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years, with dates and job titles. If you have not worked in the past 15 years, bring proof of that too.

For survivor benefits (claiming on a deceased family member's record), bring the death certificate, your birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and your relationship to the person who died (marriage certificate, adoption papers, or birth certificate showing parentage). If you are a divorced spouse claiming on an ex-spouse's record, bring the divorce decree and proof that your ex is at least 62 years old.

Do not panic if you cannot find a document right away. Social Security can often obtain birth certificates and death certificates for you, though it adds time. If you are missing tax records, they can pull them from the IRS. Submit your process with what you have; Social Security will tell you what else they need.

The Online process Process

Go to ssa.gov and click "explore for Retirement Benefits" (or the benefit type you need). You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one — this requires your email, a password, and answers to security questions. Social Security will send a verification code to your email; enter it to confirm your identity.

The process itself asks for your name, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship status, and work history. It will ask whether you have ever been married, divorced, or widowed, and if so, when. You will enter your bank account number and routing number for direct deposit. At the end, you will review your answers and submit electronically.

After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot. Social Security will email you a copy. You can log back into your my Social Security account anytime to check the status of your claim. Most online applications move to a decision within three to five months, though Social Security may contact you by phone or mail asking for more information.

explore by Phone or In Person

If you call 1-800-772-1213, have your documents in front of you but do not read them aloud unless the representative asks. They will ask the same questions as the online form — your birth date, citizenship, work history, marital history, and bank account details. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. At the end, the representative will give you a confirmation number and tell you what happens next.

For in-person appointments, call the same number or visit your local office's website to schedule. Bring originals or certified copies of your documents — photocopies are usually not accepted. Bring your Social Security card if you have it, though Social Security can look up your number if you do not. The appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will sign your process in front of the representative, and they will give you a receipt with your confirmation number.

In-person applications can be slower to process because the office has to scan and upload your documents into the system. Online applications go straight into the system, which is why they often move faster. However, if you are uncomfortable with computers or have complex circumstances (multiple marriages, work outside the U.S., or a non-standard name), an in-person appointment may prevent delays later.

What Happens After You Submit

Social Security will send you a letter within two weeks confirming they received your process and giving you a case number. This is not a decision — it is just a receipt. Keep this letter. If Social Security needs more information, they will contact you by mail or phone. Respond within 10 days if possible; delays in responding can slow your case.

For retirement claims, a decision usually comes within three to five months. For disability claims, the first decision often takes three to six months, though appeals can take much longer. You can check your case status anytime by logging into your my Social Security account or calling 1-800-772-1213 with your confirmation number.

If Social Security approves your claim, they will send you a letter saying when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. Your first payment arrives by direct deposit on the third of the month following your start date. If they deny your claim, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal.

Common Mistakes That Slow Down Your Claim

The most common mistake is not having a current address on file with Social Security. If you moved in the past few years, update your address before you explore — you can do this on my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will mail important letters to the address they have, and if it is wrong, you may miss important date or not know your decision has been made.

The second mistake is not providing complete work history. If you skip years or leave out jobs, Social Security has to verify your record with the IRS, which adds weeks. List every job you remember, even if you only worked there a few months. If you are not sure of exact dates, give your best estimate — Social Security will correct it if needed.

The third mistake is not responding to requests for more information. If Social Security mails you asking for a document or clarification, respond within 10 days. If you ignore the letter, Social Security may deny your claim for lack of information, and you will have to appeal and resubmit everything.

A fourth mistake is explore too late. If you wait until after your full retirement age to explore for retirement benefits, you cannot get the months you missed. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you do not explore until age 70, Social Security will not pay you for ages 67, 68, and 69 — you only get benefits from age 70 forward. explore early (even if you do not take the money yet) protects those months.

If You Need Help Completing Your process

If you do not have internet access, your local library often has computers you can use for free, and librarians can help you navigate ssa.gov. Some libraries also have staff trained to help with Social Security applications. Call ahead to ask.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, Social Security offers a video relay service through their website and phone line. If English is not your first language, Social Security can provide an interpreter — call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for one before your appointment.

If you have a disability that makes it hard to complete the process yourself, a family member, friend, or legal representative can help. If someone other than you submits the process, Social Security will still contact you to verify your identity and answers. You do not need a lawyer or paid representative to explore — Social Security staff will help you for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I am still working?

Yes. You can work and receive Social Security benefits at any age. However, if you are under your full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount per year, Social Security will reduce your benefits temporarily. The earnings limit changes yearly — in 2024 it is $23,400. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

Social Security can help you get one. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the address of your state's vital records office. You can also contact your state health department directly. Getting a birth certificate takes two to four weeks, but you can still submit your Social Security process — Social Security will wait for it.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Retirement claims usually take three to five months. Disability claims often take longer — six months to a year is common. You can check your status anytime in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213 with your confirmation number.

Can I change my process after I submit it?

Yes, but only before Social Security makes a decision. If you submitted online, log into your my Social Security account and look for an option to update your process. If you applied by phone or in person, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to amend your claim. Once Social Security approves or denies your claim, you cannot change the process — you would have to appeal or file a new one.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can still receive Social Security if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Bring your passport, naturalization certificate, or green card to prove your status. If you worked outside the U.S., bring records of that work — Social Security may count it toward your benefit amount depending on treaties with that country.