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Facts About the Social Security Application

Facts About the Social Security Application

Facts About the Social Security Application

When it comes to the Social Security application, there are a lot of facts that people need to be aware of in order to ensure that they are getting the benefits they are entitled to. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most important facts about the Social Security application, including eligibility requirements, how to apply, and important deadlines.

What is Social Security?

Before we get into the details of the Social Security application, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what Social Security is. Social Security is a federal government program that provides income to eligible individuals who are retired, disabled, or have lost a spouse or parent who was eligible for Social Security benefits. In addition to retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, Social Security also provides benefits to children and spouses of eligible individuals.

Eligibility requirements

In order to be eligible for Social Security benefits, you must meet certain requirements. The eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of benefit you are applying for. Here are the eligibility requirements for the three main types of Social Security benefits:

Retirement benefits: To be eligible for retirement benefits, you must be at least 62 years old and have earned a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need to qualify for retirement benefits depends on your date of birth, but most people need 40 credits (or 10 years of work) to be eligible.

Disability benefits: To be eligible for disability benefits, you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. This means that your condition must prevent you from doing work that you’ve done in the past and make it impossible for you to adjust to other forms of work. You must also have earned a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age at the time you become disabled.

Survivor benefits: To be eligible for survivor benefits, you must be the spouse, child, or parent of a deceased worker who was eligible for Social Security benefits. The amount of benefits you are eligible for depends on your relationship to the deceased worker.

How to apply

If you meet the eligibility requirements for Social Security benefits, you can apply for benefits online, by phone, or in person. Here’s how to apply for Social Security benefits:

Online: You can apply for Social Security benefits online at the Social Security Administration’s website (ssa.gov). To apply online, you will need to create a my Social Security account. Once you have created an account, you can complete the application for benefits online.

By phone: You can also apply for Social Security benefits by calling the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number (1-800-772-1213). A representative from the Social Security Administration will take your application over the phone.

In person: Finally, you can apply for Social Security benefits in person at your local Social Security Administration office. To find your local office, visit the Social Security Administration’s website and use the office locator tool.

Important deadlines

It’s important to be aware of several important deadlines related to the Social Security application process. Here are some of the most important deadlines to keep in mind:

Age 62: This is the earliest age at which you can apply for retirement benefits. However, if you choose to apply for benefits at age 62, your monthly benefit amount will be reduced.

Full retirement age (FRA): This is the age at which you are eligible for your full retirement benefit. Your FRA depends on your date of birth. For individuals born between 1943 and 1954, the FRA is 66. For individuals born in 1955 and later, the FRA increases by two months per year until it reaches 67 for individuals born in 1960 and later.

Age 70: This is the latest age at which you can apply for retirement benefits. If you choose to delay applying for benefits until age 70, your monthly benefit amount will be increased.

One year after becoming disabled: If you become disabled, you have one year from the date you become disabled to apply for disability benefits.

Two years after the date of death: If you are the survivor of a deceased worker who was eligible for Social Security benefits, you have two years from the date of death to apply for survivor benefits.

Common mistakes to avoid

When applying for Social Security benefits, there are a few common mistakes that people should avoid. Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for:

Not applying for benefits at the right age: As we mentioned earlier, applying for benefits at the wrong age can result in a lower monthly payment. Make sure you understand the impact of your age on your benefits and apply at the right time.

Not providing accurate information: When applying for benefits, it’s important to provide accurate and complete information. This includes information about your work history, medical condition (if applying for disability benefits), and family history (if applying for survivor benefits).

Not checking your application status: After submitting your application, it’s important to check the status of your application to make sure it is being processed and to address any issues that arise.

Conclusion

The Social Security application process can be overwhelming, but understanding the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and important deadlines can help ensure that you get the benefits you deserve. By avoiding common mistakes and staying informed about the process, you can maximize your Social Security benefits and enjoy a secure retirement.


Every citizen of the United States is required to have a legitimate Social Security Number. This number, which essentially documents identification and fortifies citizenship, is administered through the Social Security Administration of the United States Federal Government. The SSA, has a specific process with fairly basic regulations attached for the Social Security Application associated with immigrants, temporary United States citizens, and refugees. The Social Security Application is necessary, for those immigrants interested in legally working in the United States.

All immigrants who are at least 18 years old, regardless of occupation or particular situation, must apply
for a Social Security card. The Social Security Application is a mandatory aspect of the visa process, and those who are applying must lawfully admit permanent residence. The term “lawfully admitted” simply means that all applicants must legally accord the ability to permanently reside in the country. Typically, because the information required is the same, the Social Security application is filed with the Visa Application is; this combined process saves time and if accepted, will award the Social Security card to the immigrant in a timely fashion.

According to the procedural code of the Social Security Administration, a Social Security card is required for all citizens to work and receive government services or benefits in the United States. As a result, the Social Security application will only be accepted for those immigrants who are legally permitted to work in the country. This relationship works in harmonic sense, for the only reason why an immigrant will file a Social Security application is to legally work in the United States; government benefits and services are awarded to all individuals within the country regardless of status.

The process associated with the Social Security application is fairly universal for all immigrants. The first step is to contact the Social Security Administration to obtain the Social Security application. The application can be obtained through a local government office or by accessing the Social Security Administration’s website, which is located at: www.ssa.gov.

Once the Social Security application has been obtained be sure to review the instructions (found on Form SS-5) for filing the application. The actual Social Security application is found on the 5th page of the Social Security packet.

To apply for a Social Security card the immigrant must gather at least two documents that provide their
immigration status, identity, work eligibility, address, and their age. The SSA will accept the following documents as proof of basic information: the Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94), an immigrant visa with a valid passport attached (Form I-551), or employment authorization forms (Form I-688B and Form I-766.)

Once the basic information has been input, and the documents to verify identification have been gathered, the applicant must contact their local SSA office. A full list of all local branches can be obtained through the office
locator feature on the government website or by contacting the SSA at 1-800-722-1213. When the office has been contacted, take the completed Social Security application to the appropriate location, where the documents will be reviewed and processed if accepted.