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How can I get a copy of my Social Security Statement?

Answer: You can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your personal  my Social Se-curity  account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for re-tirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for.

To set up or use your account to get your online Social Security Statement, go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount. 

We also mail Statements to workers age 60 and over who aren’t receiving Social Security benefits and do not yet have a my Social Security account. We mail the Statements three months prior to your birthday.

What are some of the documents Social Security will accept as proof of identity for a child?

Answer: While you can use a birth certificate to prove age or citizenship, you cannot use it as proof of identity. Social Security needs evidence of the child’s existence after birth. An acceptable document must show your child’s name, identifying information, and, preferably, a recent photograph. Your child must be present unless the picture ID also shows your child’s biographical information (i.e., age, date of birth, and parents’ names). We generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child’s name and age, date of birth, and parents’ names). We prefer to see the child’s U.S. passport. If that document is not available, we may accept the child’s:

• Adoption decree.

• Doctor, clinic, or hospital record.

• Religious record (e.g., baptismal record).

• Daycare center or school record.

• School identification card.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. To find out more, visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ssnumber. There, you can also find out what documents you need, fill out and print an application, and then bring or mail the needed information to Social Security. You may also want to read the publication, Social Security Numbers For Children, available at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

My wife and I live in Illinois, but plan to spend the winter in Florida. My wife will turn 62 while we are down south. Can she apply for benefits in Florida or do we have to wait until we get back home to apply for retirement at our local Social Security office?

Answer: These days, you don’t even have to be near a Social Security office to apply for benefits. Regard-less of where you and your wife are living, you can apply for retirement benefits online at www.ssa.gov/applytoretire. It’s so easy to do and it can take as little as 15 minutes to complete and submit the application. If she prefers, your wife can file a retirement benefit application at any So-cial Security office — including the one closest to you in Illinois, Florida, or wherever you happen to be.

I’m planning to retire next year. I served in the Navy back in the 1970s and need to make sure I get credit for my military service. What do I need to do?

Answer: You don’t need to do anything to apply for the special credit for your military service—it is added automatically. For people who had service between 1957 and 1967, we add the extra credits to their record at the time they apply for Social Security benefits. For service between 1968 and 2001, those extra military service credits have already been added to your record. So you can rest assured that we have you covered. Read our online publication, Military Service and Social Security, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf. Then when the time comes to apply for retirement, you can do it conveniently and easily at www.ssa.gov/retireonline.

What are the requirements for receiving disabled widow’s benefits?

Answer: You may be able to get disabled widow(er)’s benefits at age 50 if you meet Social Security’s disa-bility requirement. Your disability must have started before age 60 and within seven years of the latest of the following dates: the month the worker died; the last month you were entitled to survi-vors benefits on the worker’s record as a parent caring for a surviving minor child; or the month your previous entitlement to disabled widow(er)’s benefits ended because your disability ended. To learn more, visit www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify9.html.

What is the earliest age that I can receive Social Security disability benefits?

Answer: There is no minimum age as long as you meet the Social Security definition of disabled and you have sufficient work to qualify for benefits. To qualify for disability benefits, you must have worked under Social Security long enough to earn the required number of work credits and some of the work must be recent. You can earn up to a maximum of four work credits each year. The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on the age you become disabled. For example, if you are under age 24, you may qualify with as little as six credits of coverage. But people disabled at age 31 or older generally need between 20 and 40 credits to qualify, and some of the work must have been recent. For example, you may need to have worked five out of the past 10 years. Learn more at www.ssa.gov/disability.

How do I report a change of address if I’m getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Answer: A person receiving SSI must report any change of address by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting a local office within 10 days after the month the change occurs. You cannot complete a change of address online. You should report your new ad-dress to Social Security so you can continue to get mail from Social Security when necessary, even if you get your benefits electronically by direct deposit or Direct Express. Learn more about SSI at www.ssa.gov/ssi.

I am receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Can my children receive dependent’s benefits based on my benefits?

Answer: No. SSI benefits are based on the needs of one individual and are paid only to the qualifying per-son. Disabled children are potentially eligible for SSI, but there are no spouse’s, dependent chil-dren’s, or survivors benefits payable as there are with Social Security benefits. For more infor-mation, see our publication, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), available online at www.ssa.gov/pubs. Simply type the title of the publication in the publication search box at the top of the page. You also may want to read Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI), avail-able at www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm. For even more information, visit www.ssa.gov.:

I lost my Medicare card. How can I get replacement?

Answer: The easiest way to get a replacement Medicare card is by using your  my Social Security account. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount for more information on how to create an account. You also can get a replacement Medicare card by calling us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).:

Is it true that if you have low income you can get help paying your Medicare premiums?:

Answer: Yes. If your income and resources are limited, your state may be able to help with your Medicare Part B premium, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. State rules vary on the income and re-sources that apply. Contact your state or local medical assistance, social services, or welfare office, or call the Medicare hotline, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), and ask about the Medicare Savings Programs. If you have limited income and resources, you also may be able to get help pay-ing for prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit any Social Security office. Also, see our publication, Medicare, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf . For even more information, visit www.ssa.gov.