Filing for Social Security Benefits

From the Nolo Retirement & Elder Care Center

How to file for and obtain Social Security benefits.

All claims for Social Security benefits can be submitted at your local Social Security office. In addition, claims for any type of benefits can be initiated by phone or through the Social Security Administration's website ( www.socialsecurity.gov). However, most benefit claims require at least one visit to a Social Security office to complete.

Most sizable cities have at least one Social Security office; in major urban areas, there will be several. You can find the address and telephone number of the office closest to you in your telephone directory under the listing for U.S. Government, Social Security Administration, or sometimes under U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration. If you have trouble finding an office nearby, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visit its website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Expect to be asked for various documents to support your claim. For retirement benefits, for example, you'll need your:

If you need to receive benefit payments at the youngest eligibility age, file your claim three months before the birthday on which you will become eligible. This will give Social Security time to process your claim so that you will receive the benefits on time. If you file a claim later, you cannot get benefits retroactively for months during which you were eligible but before you applied.

Anyone who is eligible for Social Security benefits is also eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65. Even if you are not going to claim Social Security benefits at age 65 -- because your benefit amount will be higher if you wait -- you should sign up for Medicare coverage three months before your 65th birthday. There is no reason to delay signing up for Medicare, and waiting until after your 65th birthday will delay coverage.

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