Health & Benefits

The Social Security Administration is a government agency.  It runs programs like Social Security, which provides benefits to eligible people, including:

• Retirement benefit,
• Disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. benefit,
• Survivor benefit,
• Benefit for family members,
• Supplemental Security Income A federal program that gives money to low-income elderly, blind and disabled people on a monthly basis (SSI),
• Medicare

Read more about Social Security benefit basics and an Overview of Social Security programs.

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website offers several online services, including:

• Applying for retirement, disability, A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. or Medicare benefits
• Checking application status
• Appealing a decision
• Requesting a replacement Social Security card

For further information, please visit the SSA online services. 

Typically, people must go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in person if they need to show original documents, such as:

• Applying for a Social Security number A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits. for the first time and showing the required documents.
• Showing the required documents to prove their name change.

The SSA website has a tool called See if you need an appointment. This tool can help decide if someone can complete their request online or if they need to visit an office.

Some services can be started online and finished in person. For example, a person can begin an application for a Social Security number online, then go to an office to show their documents.  They can make an appointment by calling (800) 772-1213 or contacting their local Social Security office.

People can find the nearest Social Security Administration office by using the Social Security Office locator on the SSA website. Enter the ZIP code to see:

• The office address,
• Phone number, and
• Office hours

They can also call (800) 772-1213 to ask the location of the nearest SSA office.

Yes. If someone needs help in person or needs to complete a process at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office, they must make an appointment before they go. They can make an appointment by calling (800) 772-1213 or contacting their local Social Security office.

If a person cannot make an appointment beforehand, they may still go to an SSA office. In urgent situations, the SSA will not turn them away. However, making an appointment can save time and make the visit easier.

People can make an appointment by calling (800) 772-1213, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 7:00 pm local time, or contacting their local Social Security office.

The Social Security Administration website lists the documents a person needs based on the service they want. These lists help them prepare before visiting an office or making an appointment.

For example, if they’re trying to apply for Social Security benefits, they can go to Apply for Social Security benefits and answer A written statement used to respond to the complaint or petition in a lawsuit a few questions. Then click “Information we’ll ask you to provide” to see a list of the required documents.

Keep in mind that document requirements may change. Always check the SSA website for the most up-to-date information.