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You can file for any type of Social Security benefit by phone at 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office. For retirement,
spousal and
disability benefits, you can also
apply online, in which case it helps to have a
My Social Security account. Here are some basic guidelines on applying for various benefits. Retirement and spousal benefitsYou’ll need to provide an array of personal and work information, including:
Social Security provides a complete checklist of what you’ll need for your application. When you can file: The minimum age to apply for both retirement and spouse benefits is 62, but monthly payments are higher if you wait longer. Where to file: Online, by phone or in person. Survivor benefitsTo apply for survivor benefits, make sure you have:
When you can file: In most cases you must be at least 60 to receive survivor benefits (but as with retirement and spousal benefits, they increase if you wait). There are exceptions for widows and widowers who are disabled (the minimum age is 50) or caring for children who are under 16 or disabled (no age restriction). Eligibility can be affected if you have remarried. Where to file: By phone or in person. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)For SSDI, the document requirements are considerably broader and the application is lengthier. Along with the usual personal data (such as birth certificate and employment and earnings records), you’ll need to provide extensive documentation of your medical history and treatment and file an Adult Disability Report. The SSDI process also includes an interview, in person or by phone. You’ll find detailed information in Social Security’s Adult Disability Starter Kit. When you can file: There is no minimum age for SSDI but you must have done at least some work in which you acquired Social Security credits. Where to file: Online, by phone or in person. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)SSI — a program administered but not funded by Social Security that pays benefits to low-income people who are disabled, blind or 65 and older — has document requirements related to financial need as well as personal information. These may include:
When you can file: There is no minimum age for SSI if you are applying on the basis of blindness or a qualifying disability. Absent that, you must be ast least 65. Where to file: By phone, in person or online in limited circumstances. Keep in mind
What is the easiest way to apply for Social Security?Applying online is the easiest way to complete your application at a time that works for you, without a trip to the Social Security office. You can also apply by phone or at a Social Security office.
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
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