Social Security

Using our online services offers several advantages:

• You can start immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment;
• You can use the services from the convenience of your home, or on any computer; and
• You can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money.

We use the most secure technology on the Internet to keep your information private.

You can:

• Apply for Social Security retirement/spouse’s benefits;
• Apply for Social Security disability benefits;
• Apply for Medicare;
• Apply for Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs;
• Get a retirement benefit estimate;
• Use our benefit planners to calculate your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits; and
• Find answers to frequently asked questions.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you also can:

• Inform us of a change of address or telephone number;
• Get a replacement Medicare card;
• Request a proof of income letter;
• Sign up for or change direct deposit or Direct Express®; and
• Get a Form 1099/1042S (Social Security Benefit Statement).

If you are an employer, you can use Business Services Online to:

• Upload a wage report file;
• Complete up to 20 W-2s at a time on your computer and submit them to Social Security electronically, while printing copies suitable for distribution to your employees;
• View the current status of previously submitted wage reports; and
• Verify the names and Social Security numbers of your employees.

If you have access to a computer with a secure internet connection, boldly go to www.socialsecurity.gov and select the service you want.

Our online services are available to you seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):

Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Holidays: 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.

In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.