Applying For Benefits

How Benefits Are Paid

You must receive your Social Security payments electronically. One of the ways you can choose to receive your benefits is through direct deposit. Direct deposit is a simple and secure way to receive your payments. Be sure to have your checkbook or account statement with you when you apply. We will need that information, as well as your financial institution’s routing number, to make sure your
monthly benefit deposit goes into the right account.

If you don’t have an account with a financial
institution, or if you prefer to receive your benefits on a prepaid debit card, you can sign up for the Direct Express® card program. With Direct Express®, payments go straight
to the card account. Another payment choice you can consider is an Electronic Transfer Account. This low-cost federally insured account lets you enjoy the security and
convenience of automatic payments.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program

You should apply for benefits about three months before the date you want your benefits to start. If you aren’t ready to retire, but are thinking about doing so later, you should visit our website to use our informative retirement planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire. To file for disability or survivors benefits, you should apply as soon as you’re eligible.

You can apply for benefits on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits.

You can get a quick and easy benefit estimate based on your Social Security earnings record
at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. You also can get more detailed benefit calculations at
www.socialsecurity.gov/planners.

What You Will Need To Apply

When you apply for benefits, we will ask you to provide certain documents. The documents you’ll need depend on the type of benefits you file for. Providing these documents to us quickly will help us pay your benefits faster. You must present original documents or copies certified by the issuing office—we can’t accept photocopies.

Don’t delay filing an application just because you don’t have all the documents you need. We’ll help you get them. Some documents you may need when you sign up for Social Security are:

• Your Social Security card (or a record of your number);
• Your birth certificate;
• Your children’s birth certificates and Social Security numbers (if you’re applying for them);
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status if you (or a child) weren’t born in the United States;
• Your spouse’s birth certificate and Social Security number if he or she is applying for benefits based on your earnings.
• Your marriage certificate (if signing up on a spouse’s earnings or if your spouse is signing up on your earnings);
• Your military discharge papers if you had military service; and
• Your most recent W-2 form, or your tax return, if you’re self-employed.

We will let you know if you need other documents when you apply.