Top Questions About Social Security
Find answers to common questions about Social Security, including retirement and disability benefits, how to get, replace, or correct your Social Security card, and more.
On This Page
- Social Security and How It Works
- Social Security Retirement Benefits Planner
- Get, Replace, or Correct a Social Security Card
- SSA Benefits for U.S. Citizens Overseas
- Government Checks and Payments
- Report the Death of a Social Security or Medicare Beneficiary
- Set Up Direct Deposit for Your Federal Benefits
- Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities
How Do Benefits Work and How Can I Qualify?
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayWhile you work, you pay Social Security taxes. This tax money goes into a trust fund that pays benefits to:
Those who are currently retired
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayTo people with disabilities
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayTo the surviving spouses and children of workers who have died
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayEach year you work, you’ll get credits to help you become eligible for benefits when it’s time for you to retire. Find all the benefits .
There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers:
How to Open a “my Social Security” Account
If you receive or will receive Social Security benefits, you may want to open a . This online account is a service from the SSA that allows you to keep track of and manage your SSA benefits. You can also make changes to your Social Security record.
How to Find More Help
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIf you have specific questions about your Social Security benefits, you can:
Review the .
.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayEstimate your benefits at each age, from 62 (the earliest you can receive them) to 70 (when you hit your greatest amount)
Apply for retirement benefits
Learn about earning limits if you plan to work while receiving Social Security benefits
Complete your application - Read the instructions and for a new, replacement, or corrected card.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayMail your application - Print your application and find out to.
Getting a Social Security Number for a New Baby
The easiest way to get a Social Security number for your child is at the hospital after they are born when you apply for your child’s birth certificate.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIf you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while SSA verifies your child’s birth certificate. Processing times average about two weeks. See for an estimate for your state. Learn more with the .
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayYour child will need their own Social Security number so you can:
Claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayOpen a bank account in their name
Get medical coverage for them
Apply for government services for them
Apply for a Replacement Social Security Card Online
A new feature on the SSA website allows you to apply for a replacement Social Security card online via your .
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayTo apply for a replacement card online, you must:
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayBe a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (This includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses.)
Not be requesting a name change or any other change to your card
Have a valid driver's license or a state-issued identification card.
In most states, you can apply for a replacement card online. However, there are exceptions. Find out if this .
if you want to change or correct your Social Security card.
Prevent Identity Theft
Keep your Social Security card in a safe place to if it's lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime.
Contact SSA
For more information, contact SSA. If you live outside the U.S., SSA's may be able to help you.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nay . Once you access the tool, pick the country you're visiting or living in from the drop-down menu options.Earn SSA Work Credits in Some Countries
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayYou may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your . The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits.
to the agency that issued the payment. You can get contact information from the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayTo get an update on your claim, contact the .
If You're Not Sure Why You Received a Payment
Contact the authorizing agency directlyKết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nay to find out why they sent the payment. You may be able to find the authorizing agency in the memo line of the check. to help you locate the authorizing agency contact information on your own check. Scroll about half way down the page to see the diagram.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIf you're unable to find which agency authorized the payment, . They can help you determine which government agency you need to contact. To find which RFC you need to call, look for its city and state at the top center of the check.
Make Payments to the Federal Government
Learn how to use to make secure, electronic payments to government agencies from your checking or savings account. You can use the online service for VA medical care copayments, U.S. district court tickets, U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner user fee payments, and more.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIf you need help, .
Or, call SSA's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nay) to make the report.How to Stop Social Security Check Payments
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayThe SSA can’t pay benefits for the month of a recipient’s death. That means if the person died in July, the check received in August (which is payment for July) must be returned. Find out .
If the payment is by direct deposit, notify the financial institution as soon as possible so it can return any payments received after death. For more about the requirement to return benefits for the month of a beneficiary’s death, see the top of page 11 of this .
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayFamily members may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits when a person getting benefits dies. Visit the to learn more.
If You Don't have a Bank or Credit Union Account:
- - a pre-paid debit card. Get help by calling the Go Direct Helpline at 1-800-333-1795 (TTY: 1-866-569-0447).
- Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) - a low-cost account for federal payment recipients. Get help by calling 1-888-382-3311 (TTY: 1-877-326-5833). Effective August 8, 2018, the Treasury Department will end the ETA program. .
Make Changes to an Existing Direct Deposit Account:
Learn how to . You also may contact the federal agency that pays your benefit for help with your enrollment.
may be able to help.Understand the SSDI and SSI Programs for People with Disabilities
is for people who have become disabled after earning enough Social Security work credits within a certain time.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nay with little to no income and resources. SSI is not Social Security. Although the names sound similar and the Social Security Administration runs the program, it does not fund SSI.
Definition of Disability
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayTo qualify for either program, you must meet :
You can’t work
Your disability is expected to last for at least one year or result in death
Your impairment is on Social Security’s
Social Security uses a . Partial and short-term disabilities do not meet SSA’s standard. They're not eligible for benefits.
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool
Use the to find out if you may qualify for SSDI or SSI.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Work Requirements
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayWhen you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn Social Security “work credits.” You earn up to four a year depending on your income. To be eligible for SSDI,, some of them recently. The number of work credits you need depends on your age when you stopped working due to your disability.
Benefits for Family Members
Your when you start getting SSDI.
Applying for SSDI
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayYou can .
If your , you can appeal the decision.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIf it's approved, you’ll have a five-month waiting period for benefits to start. You’ll receive benefits for the sixth full month after the date SSA finds your disability began.
You’ll be enrolled in Medicare two years after you begin receiving SSDI payments.
Returning to Work
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayYou can usually return to work without losing your SSDI if you earn less than a “substantial” amount. In 2019, the SSA considered average earnings of $1,220 or more per month "substantial."
You can try out your ability to return to work for at least nine months. You won't lose your SSDI benefits or Medicare coverage. See the booklet to learn more.
How to Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
are for adults and children with a disability and little income or resources. Seniors 65 and older without a disability may be eligible if they meet the income limits. People who are eligible to receive SSDI may be eligible for SSI too.
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayIn most states, . Many states also provide supplemental payments to certain SSI recipients.
Defining Disability for SSI
Adults under 65 must meet .
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayFor a child, disability means:
Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayHaving a physical or mental impairment that causes marked and severe functional limitations
The disability is expected to last for at least one year or result in death
Applying for SSI
Adults can by phone, in person at a local Social Security office, or in some cases online. To apply for SSI for a child, you can start the process online but will need to complete it either in person or by phone.
You can appeal if your claim is denied.
Explore a to learn more detailed information.
Going to Work
help you go to work by reducing your risk of losing your SSI or Medicaid coverage. You can earn $65 a month without it affecting your cash benefit. Beyond that, your SSI payment will go down $1 for every $2 you earn.
When your earnings plus any other income exceed your state’s SSI income limits, you won't receive SSI. Your payments will start again for any month your income drops to less than the SSI limits. You can learn more in the booklet .
Do you have a question?
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Kết quả xổ số minh ngọc hôm nayLast Updated: November 9, 2020