An application must be filed with the local Social Security office for a person to become entitled to benefits, including Medicare, or to establish a period of disability under the Retirement Survivors and Disability Insurance Programs. The office will have specific forms to be filled out. Once the form is filed, it becomes the property of the Social Security Administration and will not be returned to the claimant. An application for monthly retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits may be filed before the first month for which a person is entitled. A worker should get in touch with a Social Security office two or three months before reaching age 62. Prompt filing of an application is considered advantageous because of the possibility of delay. A delay may result in fewer payments because under some circumstances, monthly benefits cannot be paid retroactively. An application for benefits is considered to be filed as of the day a properly completed application form is received by a Social Security office, authorized employee there, or there are offices such as the Railroad Retirement Board, which have the authority to accept applications. However, to protect the claimant's right to benefits, the mailing date of the application may be used, provided the use of the United States postmark on the envelope would be more advantageous to him or her. Each application is clearly worded to show the scope of its use as an application for one or more types of benefits. The claimant should answer all questions on the application. If the claimant does not know the answer to a question, he or she should write in, unknown. If the claimant does not answer a question that is considered necessary to establish the claimant's right to benefits, no award can be made. If the claimant needs help in completing the application, any Social Security office will provide assistance free of charge. If poor health or distance precludes a claimant from traveling to the nearest office, the claimant can get information and forms by writing or calling that office. The toll-free number for Social Security information is 1-800-772-1213.
Transcript
An application must be filed with the local Social Security office for a person to become entitled to benefits, including Medicare, or to establish a period of disability under the Retirement Survivors and Disability Insurance Programs. The office will have specific forms to be filled out. Once the form is filed, it becomes the property of the Social Security Administration and will not be returned to the claimant. An application for monthly retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits may be filed before the first month for which a person is entitled. A worker should get in touch with a Social Security office two or three months before reaching age 62. Prompt filing of an application is considered advantageous because of the possibility of delay. A delay may result in fewer payments because under some circumstances, monthly benefits cannot be paid retroactively. An application for benefits is considered to be filed as of the day a properly completed application form is received by a Social Security office, authorized employee there, or there are offices such as the Railroad Retirement Board, which have the authority to accept applications. However, to protect the claimant's right to benefits, the mailing date of the application may be used, provided the use of the United States postmark on the envelope would be more advantageous to him or her. Each application is clearly worded to show the scope of its use as an application for one or more types of benefits. The claimant should answer all questions on the application. If the claimant does not know the answer to a question, he or she should write in, unknown. If the claimant does not answer a question that is considered necessary to establish the claimant's right to benefits, no award can be made. If the claimant needs help in completing the application, any Social Security office will provide assistance free of charge. If poor health or distance precludes a claimant from traveling to the nearest office, the claimant can get information and forms by writing or calling that office. The toll-free number for Social Security information is 1-800-772-1213.