# Have any of you applied for Social Security on the web? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891 "2025-02-27T22:36:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/1 "2025-02-27T22:36:08Z")
If so, I’d like to ask you a procedural question. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/2 "2025-02-27T23:04:34Z")
Did a while back. No problems. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/3 "2025-02-27T23:13:43Z")
Yep, applied last Oct to take effect on Jan 1, first check deposited in my account yesterday. Basically on [SSA.gov](http://SSA.gov), set up an account and follow instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/4 "2025-02-27T23:26:10Z")
Same here. I applied last year, it went through with no problems. I gave it about a 6 month lead time. Under current conditions, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/5 "2025-02-27T23:33:56Z")
I applied online in January this year, with a proposed start date in April. No issues. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/6 "2025-02-28T00:04:03Z")
Same here. The algorithm should tell you what month you should become eligible for your benefit award to start. Three months prior to that is when you should submit your application. (Mine began a couple of years ago. It’s possible that Elmo’s and the America-hating fuckstick’s shenanigans have screwed up the staffing and therefore the three-month timeline. I suggest you make time to get through by phone, just to confirm that. But **suranyi** ’s post just above is consistent with my experience.) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/7 "2025-02-28T00:24:27Z")
Yes, apparently there are plans to lay off some SSA people. BUT, the website said I had to return a signed application. There was no provision I found to print a paper application. Did the SSA send you the application, or did I miss the option to print it online? Thanks again, guys. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/8 "2025-02-28T01:28:05Z")
Just an aside for anyone’s future reference… When I did mine a couple years ago the website could only handle a vanilla application for retiree benefits on your own earnings record. In my case going for survivor’s benefits or somebody applying for ex-spousal benefits still had to be dome w paper & in-person visits. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/9 "2025-02-28T01:32:17Z")
I signed up in December for a start in May. Still at stage 2 of 3 in the process, it should have been done by now. Its being processed out of the Chicago office, so I am concerned that the hateful shitbag will decimate that office out spitefulness towards Chicago before my application is completed. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/10 "2025-02-28T01:33:48Z")
Do ant of you guys know about how to send the signed application? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/11 "2025-02-28T02:09:56Z")
When I did it, there was no requirement to send anything physically signed. There was an e-sign thing through their website. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/12 "2025-02-28T02:14:39Z")
Can you help me navigate to that? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/13 "2025-02-28T02:18:24Z")
I’m not sure how to help. I went to the SS (sic) website and followed the instructions exactly. It took a couple of tries and false starts, but I got it to work eventually. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/14 "2025-02-28T02:19:32Z")
Thanks, I’ll try again. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/15 "2025-02-28T02:21:50Z")
I retired about a year ago, and my principal project since has been to hunt down and kill all my remaining brain cells. Sorry I can’t be of more help. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/16 "2025-02-28T03:10:28Z")
I am eager to emulate your effort. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/17 "2025-02-28T03:52:50Z")
Did it all online. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/18 "2025-02-28T04:48:19Z")
I did it all online. I applied the last week of January. On February 18th, I got an email to check my SSA account for a message that my application was in progress. A few days ago, I had another notification that it was approved. Today (2/27) I received a USPS letter confirming the payment dates. The total time was approximately one month. I was very impressed. I usually use a tablet or phone for this site, but for things like airline reservations I switch to a laptop. I hope you’re using a laptop or desktop computer, since there is a lot of text that you need to read and answer checkboxes. I used _login . gov_ option to sign in. The hardest part is that they require a long password, 12 (or is it 16 ?) characters, which means it’s harder to remember. Did I write it down? Yep. In today’s mailing was a small but dense pamphlet with lots of information. For example, I want to set up tax withholding. The pamphlet says to download the form, print it out, and take the completed form to the local SS office. (I think you could also mail it, but it needs a written signature.) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/19 "2025-02-28T04:52:47Z")
I plan on doing everything by phone and whatever is needed at the local office. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/20 "2025-02-28T05:47:26Z")
I should be eligible in December or January (turn 62 in late December). I think that I’ll start in June [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891.md?page=2)