# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/21 "2025-02-28T11:26:33Z")
I’m going to have to do this at some point with the added complications that I live in the UK and am no longer a US citizen. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/22 "2025-02-28T11:44:05Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > 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.) Everything that’s stated in this thread is consistent with my experience, including filling out the W-4 form for withholding Federal tax, as @JohnGalt did. However, I’m pretty sure that I mailed my form to my local office in Wichita, where it was processed without issue. I now just noticed, on the [ssa.gov](http://ssa.gov) website, that you can phone them to request withholding. I don’t think that’s a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/23 "2025-02-28T19:42:11Z")
My wife and I both signed up for SS several years ago using their website. I don’t recall any particular problems. As long as you have a valid social security number, it seems that they have your SS contributions on file and will automatically calculate your benefit. What is the issue you are concerned about? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/24 "2025-02-28T19:54:18Z")
I should clarify my answer: As I said, I applied online about three months before I expected to start receiving payments. I heard nothing for two months, then I saw it was approved. However, I was to expect an agent to call me to confirm some unusual things on my application. (Specifically, that I have a minor child eligible for social security retirement based on my record.). I did get that call, and the agent confirmed my details. Then she said I would be getting another call at a certain specific time (the agent gave me a date and time) and said that person would formally fill out and submit my application. I did get a second call on exactly that day and time, and this time the agent asked a lot of questions about my family, then said the application was complete. A little while later I got some letters in the mail confirming everything. ---
**Author:** ![Jst1juliet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Jst1juliet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jst1juliet)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/25 "2025-02-28T19:56:46Z")
I filed and did redeterminations of benefits through a county agency exclusively online. With the relatively easy online usage and having the assistance of our local SSA office (the 800# is a complete waste of time) I had my clients’applications, etc. processed. My advice: use the [SSA.gov](http://SSA.gov) site. If you need help there are resources out there such as VRS of your county. ---
**Author:** ![Trieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Trieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trieste)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/26 "2025-02-28T20:09:54Z")
I submitted my application on January 1st this year. I received a message this week that it was finally approved. I was expecting a question about military service but never saw it. T ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/27 "2025-02-28T20:11:10Z")
Late 2019. No problems. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/28 "2025-02-28T21:14:30Z")
Carni\* if you don’t figure it out call your local Moday. If you’ve got disabilities or minor children there are always more questions. They can snail mail you the form. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/29 "2025-03-02T21:30:01Z")
My local SS office does ot answer the phone, hence the web attempt. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891/30 "2025-03-02T21:31:46Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > What is the issue you are concerned about? That I must submit a signed form.There is no mention of the form on the website. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-of-you-applied-for-social-security-on-the-web/1014891.md?page=1)