How to check on social security benefits

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it's best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.

Learn how to apply

See if you're eligible

Eligibility is always based on work. Most jobs take Social Security taxes out of your paycheck so you can get a monthly benefit in retirement.

Check your eligibility

Plan for retirement

Estimate your benefit amount, determine when to apply, and explore other factors that may affect your retirement planning.

Download a benefit letter to show that you receive benefits, have submitted an application, or don't receive benefits.

Tax form (1099/1042s)

Download a copy of your 1099 or 1042s tax form if you didn't receive it in the mail.

Payments

Direct deposit

Edit details about your bank account so we can continue to deposit your monthly benefit check on time.

Repayment

Pay us back or request a waiver if your benefit amount was more than it should have been.

Tax payments

Submit a request to pay taxes on your Social Security benefit throughout the year instead of paying a large bill at tax time.

Timing

Check the schedule to see when you'll get your benefits.

Changes and planning

Changes to personal details

Let us know when details about your personal situation change. This includes things like getting a new job, getting married, and moving to a new home.

We have a variety of calculators to help you plan for the future or to assist you with your needs now.

Online Benefits Calculator

These tools can be accurate but require access to your official earnings record in our database. The simplest way to do that is by creating or logging in to your my Social Security account. The other way is to answer a series of questions to prove your identity.

my Social Security Retirement Estimate

Compare retirement benefit estimates based on your selected date or age to begin receiving benefits with retirement estimates for ages 62, Full Retirement Age (FRA), and 70. You can also input expected future income for inclusion in the estimate.

Additional Online Tools

Retirement Age Calculator

Find your full retirement age and learn how your monthly benefits may be reduced if you retire before your full retirement age.

Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Calculator

Estimate if you are eligible for a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security.

GPO Calculator

Estimate of spouse benefits for yourself if you receive a pension from a government job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. Your benefit may be offset by the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Detailed Calculator

Get the most precise estimate of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. The estimate includes WEP reduction. Must be downloaded and installed on your computer.

Early or Late Retirement Calculator

Compute the effect on your benefit amount if you file for early or delayed retirement benefits.

Earnings Test Calculator

Learn how your earnings may affect your benefit payments if you are currently working and are eligible for retirement or survivors benefits this year.

Benefits for Spouses Calculator

Compute the effect on your wife's or husband's benefits if you file for early retirement.

Life Expectancy Calculator

Estimate of how long you (or your spouse) may live.

Online Calculator

Estimate your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.

Quick Calculator

Estimate of your benefits in today's dollars or future dollars when you input your date of birth and this year's earnings. The estimate does not include WEP reduction.

July 15, 2021 • By Dawn Bystry, Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: July 20, 2021

If you applied for Social Security benefits, or have a pending reconsideration or hearing request, you can check the status online using your free personal my Social Security account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one to see the following information about your claim:

• Date of filing.
• Current claim location.
• Scheduled hearing date and time.
• Re-entry numbers for incomplete applications.
• Servicing office location.
• Publications of interest, depending on the claim and current step in the process.

Use your personal my Social Security account to check the status of your application or appeal. If you have questions about retirement, disability, Medicare, or survivors benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income, visit our Benefits page.

Please share this information with your family and friends – and post it on social media.

Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement benefits, social security, Social Security benefits, social security disability benefits

See Comments

About the Author

Dawn Bystry, Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications

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Comments

1. Mary H.

   January 8, 2022 4:00AM

   I’ve lived in MD all my life, thinking about moving south. Will this affect my income?

   • Ann C.

     January 10, 2022 7:17AM

     Hi, Mary. Thanks for your question. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there are times when SSI benefit determinations are affected by an applicant’s living arrangement. To understand how the Supplemental Security Income program works, visit our Understanding Supplemental Security Income Living Arrangements webpage. Your living arrangement will not affect your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. We hope this helps.

2. Glenn P.

   January 4, 2022 12:47PM

   I applied for my social security benefits back in October 2021. I have check status on my social security account. Status shows acceptance on 10/29/2021 in Chicago office. As of 1/4/2022 no decision. How long should this take. Am I missing something. Any help or thoughts. Thanks.

   • Vonda

     January 4, 2022 1:18PM

     Hi Glenn, thanks for using our blog. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.

3. Lynatte H.

   December 31, 2021 7:55PM

   I send for a social security card and it’s been 7 months and I still haven’t received my social security card I went in the office and I did it online what’s up with that

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 5:04PM

     Hi Lynatte, thanks for reaching out. Please call your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.

4. Shaun R.

   December 31, 2021 8:47AM

   i’m on RSDI disability insurance and i didn’t receive the increase notice for 2022 in the mail. i got all of the other ones. did Social Security stop my disability benefits without telling me about it?

   • Jennifer m.

     January 2, 2022 2:36PM

     How do I apply for ssi benefits ?

   • Vernon J.

     January 3, 2022 1:43AM

     I haven’t received mine either??

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 4:54PM

     Hi Shaun, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. You can also securely view and save the Social Security COLA notice online via the Message Center inside your my Social Security account . If you don’t have an account, create one today.

     You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this helps!

   • Katie m.

     January 4, 2022 5:14PM

     I have not received my notice of cola benefits for 2022.

     • Vonda

       January 5, 2022 8:08AM

       Hi Katie, thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We mailed the COLA notices throughout the month of December and the beginning of January to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. You can also securely view and save the Social Security COLA notice online via the Message Center inside your my Social Security account . If you don’t have an account, create one today.

       You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this helps!

5. Rachel R.

   December 30, 2021 3:15PM

   Was looking for the check your claim status

   • John r.

     January 1, 2022 2:23PM

     Want to check status

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 4:29PM

     Hi Rachel, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.

     If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.

     • Michael C.

       January 11, 2022 1:37PM

       My ssdi reconsideration application status seems to have vanished from myssa account when I log in? I can’t find any info about it at all. When I clicked the generate benefits verification letter, the letter doesn’t say I’m not receiving benefits and doesn’t say I am…the only thing the letter has on it is my date of birth?…..is the myssa site being updated or something?

       • Ann C.

         January 11, 2022 2:46PM

         Hi, Michael. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

6. lisa g.

   December 30, 2021 12:54PM

   its telling me im already logged in to my account but wont let me in

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 4:19PM

     We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing, Lisa. If you created a my Social Security account before September 18, 2021, go to //www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click on “Sign In” where you enter your username and password. If you created a my Social Security account on September 18, 2021 or later, you sign in using login.gov or id.me because that is what you used to create your account. If you continue to have difficulties, call our dedicated my Social Security Hotline at 1-800-772-1213, and say “helpdesk” at the voice prompt. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). You can also contact your local Social Security office directly. Look for the general inquiry telephone number using our Social Security Office Locator link. We hope this helps.

7. Oanh P.

   December 29, 2021 4:44PM

   Unable to access my account after setting it up online via login.gov

8. David A.

   December 29, 2021 2:37PM

   I applied for ssi benefits on 09-2020 after my last incarceration ended on 08-27-2020 I have yet to receive my benefits please call me back at 404-859-2386.

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 3:50PM

     For your security, David, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.

9. John D.

   December 29, 2021 1:30PM

   I cannot access my account

   • Vonda

     January 3, 2022 3:45PM

     Hi John, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties accessing your my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.

10. Jim V.

    December 29, 2021 8:19AM

    I have been waiting 3 months already for my mothers final payment after her death on October 4th. Me being the primary beneficiary, I am getting nowhere with the SS office. The wait time on the phone is incredible!! I would just like a simple answer as to when I should be expecting that final payment.