Checking Your Social Security Status
You can check your social security benefits status using the social security website. It helps millions of Americans to live a comfortable and safe life. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Social Security benefits to eligible citizens to improve their day-to-day lives.
SSA benefits are essential for millions of Social Security recipients. For instance, a person who is injured can get Social Security disability benefits for daily expenses while recovering. SSA is very helpful because the injured person is unable to work as they recover.
However, people have many doubts about applying for Social Security. At times, it can take significantly long for an application to be processed. We often wonder how to check our Social Security status in such instances.
Checking Social Security status is easy enough, thanks to the efficient SSA online portal.
3 Ways to Check Social Security Status
There are several different ways to check your Social Security status. Let’s have a look at some of the efficient methods to check Social Security status:
3 Ways to Check Social Security Status
1 – Enroll Online at SSA Website
The best and easiest way to check your Social Security status is by registering yourself at the SSA website (www.ssa.gov ).
First, visit the website, create your account, and simply follow the steps and become a member. Make sure to save your login details so you can access your SSA profile later by using the website.
Next, you need to log in to the SSA website and follow these steps to find the Social Security status:
- Click on “Your Benefits Application”
- Click on the “More Info” button
- Select the “View Details” option
- Click on the “Current Status” icon
This allows you to check the details of your Social Security application status. You can find the date your application was submitted and the name of the office processing your application. Additionally, you can check for any date or time for hearings that may have been arranged, as well as the current status of your application.
Using this process, you can even get benefit estimates and view personal, banking, and contact information. It also allows you to change your address, contact details, and bank details if you move.
2 – Local SSA Office
It may happen that you don’t have access to a computer with an internet connection or cannot check your Social Security status online. In such a situation, you can check your Social Security status by visiting your local SSA office.
Make sure to carry your Social Security number and application details when visiting the SSA office to find your Social Security application status.
You can find the nearest SSA office by using the official search portal here https://www.ssa.gov/locator/.
3 – Call SSA Hotline
If, for some reason, you cannot visit the local SSA office to check your Social Security status, then you can also call on the helpline number at 1-800-772-1213. This helpline is active from 7 AM to 7 PM (EST), from Monday through Friday.
Before calling on the number, make sure to have your Social Security number and application information handy.
Duration of Social Security Application Process
Another big question that comes to an applicant’s mind is how long it takes for a Social Security application to get processed.
Here are the average durations for processing and approval of the different types of Social Security benefits:
- Disability benefits – 3 to 5 months
- Retirement benefits – 6 weeks
- Survivors benefit – 2 to 3 months
However, there are instances when your Social Security application may take longer than the average time. For example, if you have accidentally provided inaccurate information or missed attaching a document, your Social Security benefits application may get delayed.
Besides this, the SSA offices have been facing issues of understaffing and overwork, which also causes indeterminate delays in processing Social Security applications. Unless funding from the federal budget improves, experts expect the situation to continue this way.
Here are some other reasons that may delay your Social Security application from being approved in the average time:
- Determining disability – This is a complex and significantly longer process for obvious reasons.
- Verifying work history – This part of the process is also difficult and quite complicated.
- Checking medical evidence – This process may get prolonged with difficult-to-get or incomplete medical evidence.
- Incomplete application – Missing essential information or inaccurate details in the application form.
Conclusion
You can check your Social Security status easily on the SSA website online, or visit your local SSA office, or simply call the SSA hotline. Logging in to the SSA website is probably the most efficient way to find detailed information on the status of your Social Security account and your benefits.
See Also
Financial Help for Seniors on Social Security
What is Social Security Disability?
I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
Having sharpened her skills as a validation manager in the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity over a decade, Andrea now applies her expertise to raise the standards of the fact-checking space. As a meticulous fact-checker, she diligently validates the claims presented in our articles, leaving no room for misinformation or ambiguity.
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