{"id":723,"date":"2019-12-04T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-04T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog-2023\/?p=723"},"modified":"2023-06-22T21:26:12","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T21:26:12","slug":"social-security-application-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Security Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"723\" class=\"elementor elementor-723\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-74938784 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"74938784\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24f09dd6\" data-id=\"24f09dd6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09962bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"09962bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019re ready to apply for Social Security benefits, you\u2019ve probably already given some thought to things like when you want your benefits to start or what kind of documents you might need to apply. A lot of that will will of course depend on the type of benefits you\u2019re seeking.<\/p>\n<p>Applying for retirement benefits, for example, is usually less complicated than applying for disability benefits. Still, it helps to know what to expect if you plan to apply for Social Security benefits. Here, we\u2019ll explain the application process for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\">benefits for retirement<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\">spousal<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-and-death\/\">survivors benefits<\/a>; Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/what-is-supplemental-security-income\/\">Supplemental Security Income (SSI)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-063d5dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"063d5dc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c829464\" data-id=\"c829464\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1aa23d elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"b1aa23d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/css\/custom-pro-widget-call-to-action.min.css?ver=1764022918\">\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-88fc304 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"88fc304\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7d2d88\" data-id=\"f7d2d88\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf32b05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf32b05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Applying for retirement benefits<\/h2>\n<p>The earliest you can claim retirement benefits is age 62, although you can apply for benefits as soon as you are 61 years and 8 months old if you want the benefits to start no more than four months into the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s earned benefits or spousal benefits, your benefit will be larger if you wait until at least your full retirement age (between ages 65 and 67,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/retirechart.html\">depending on birth year<\/a>) to file.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For the most part, the act of applying for retirement benefits is simple. If you\u2019re applying online, it should only take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete the application.<\/p>\n<h2>Applying for survivors benefits<\/h2>\n<p>Survivors benefits are those that widows, widowers and other qualifying family members might be eligible for when a working spouse or family member dies. You can only apply by phone or in-person for these benefits. Typically, funeral homes contact the SSA to report a worker\u2019s death, but you can also contact the SSA yourself.<\/p>\n<p>If you were already receiving benefits based on a deceased spouse\u2019s earnings, those benefits will automatically be switched to survivors benefits. If you\u2019re receiving benefits based on your own work record, call the SSA to see which benefit is higher. If the survivors benefit is higher, apply to switch. If you\u2019re not receiving any benefits, you will have to apply for survivors benefits.<\/p>\n<h2>Applying for SSDI\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are for people who are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, but became disabled before they reached full retirement age. The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/credits.html\">your age<\/a>\u00a0when you became disabled. The older you were, the more credits you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n<p>You should apply for SSDI as soon as you become disabled so you don\u2019t lose out on any benefits. It can take as long as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10029.pdf\">three to five months<\/a>\u00a0to process your claim. Regardless, your benefits won\u2019t begin until you\u2019ve been disabled for six full months.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Before you apply for disability insurance, you should consult the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/disability\/disability_starter_kits.htm\">Disability Starter Kit<\/a>. The kit spells out the information you will need to apply and to prepare for your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ssa.gov\/prepare-for-your-disability-interview-tips-from-social-security\/\">disability interview<\/a>. Applying online may take between\u00a0one to two hours.<\/p>\n<h2>Applying for SSI<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/ssi\/\">Supplemental Security Income<\/a>\u00a0(SSI) program provides benefits to children and adults who are blind or disabled, or at least age 65, and have very limited income or resources. Like with SSDI benefits, it\u2019s best to apply as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The process to apply for SSI benefits is mostly the same as for SSDI except you can\u2019t apply for children\u2019s benefits online or if you\u2019re 65 and older. In those cases, you can only apply by phone or in-person. To apply for a child, you\u2019ll have to fill out an SSI application and a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/apps6z\/i3820\/main.html\">Child Disability Report<\/a>. You should consult the SSI\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/disability\/disability_starter_kits_child_eng.htm\">Child Disability Starter Kit<\/a>\u00a0before you apply.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Where to apply for retirement benefits, SSI and SSDI\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/visiting-social-security-office\/\">Whether you apply for benefits online, by phone or in-person, will largely depend<\/a>\u00a0on your personal preference. The SSA, however, recommends applying online as the fastest and easiest option.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of how you apply, you\u2019ll eventually receive a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/\">letter in the mail<\/a>\u00a0with the SSA\u2019s decision on whether your benefits were approved or not.<\/p>\n<h3>Applying online<\/h3>\n<p>From\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/applying8.html\">the SSA\u2019s application page<\/a>, you can choose to apply for retirement (including spousal) benefits and disability benefits. You can\u2019t apply for survivors benefits or children\u2019s benefits online.<\/p>\n<p>You can only apply for SSI online if you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are between the ages of 18 and 65<\/li>\n<li>Have never been married<\/li>\n<li>Are not blind<\/li>\n<li>Are a U.S. citizen living in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands<\/li>\n<li>Have not applied for or received SSI benefits in the past, and you are applying for SSDI at the same time.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before you start your online application, create an online account, which you can later use to track you application status and your benefits. After you\u2019ve started the application, you\u2019ll be given a confirmation number. Write down or print out the number. Then follow the prompts for entering your information. You don\u2019t have to fill out the information all in one sitting. The software will save your information and remember where you left off.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After you\u2019ve submitted your application, you may be contacted by a Social Security representative if they need more information from you to process the application.<\/p>\n<h3>Applying by phone<\/h3>\n<p>To apply for Social Security benefits by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Apply in-person<\/h3>\n<p>To find the office closest to you,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/ICON\/main.jsp\">search by zip code<\/a>\u00a0on the SSA\u2019s website. Call the office and make an appointment.<\/p>\n<h3>Applying at an embassy or consulate<\/h3>\n<p>If you are outside the U.S., you\u2019ll need to work through the SSA\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/foreign\/\">Office of Earnings and International Operations\u00a0<\/a>(OEIO) to file for benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>English speakers can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/foreign\/phones.html\">call the OEIO<\/a>\u00a0to apply for benefits. The phone number you use\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/foreign\/phones.html\">will be based<\/a>\u00a0on the last two digits of your Social Security claim number. If you\u2019re applying for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/\">retirement\u00a0<\/a>or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/disability\/\">disability benefits<\/a>, you can also apply for those online the same way you would from within the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The OEIO operates with the help of the Department of State\u2019s embassies and consulates. To find the closest embassy or consulate providing these services,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/foreign\/foreign.htm\">visit here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>What you need to apply for retirement benefits, SSI, SSDI<\/h2>\n<p>The information and documents you\u2019ll need to apply for benefits will vary by type, but there are some they all share in common. If you\u2019re missing some of the documents, the SSA will work with you to help you get them. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/applying5.html\">information you\u2019ll need\u00a0<\/a>includes:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your Social Security card<\/li>\n<li>Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the U.S.<\/li>\n<li>A copy of your U.S. military service papers<\/li>\n<li>A copy of your W-2 form(s) and\/or self-employment tax return for last year.<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re married, the name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if applicable).<\/li>\n<li>The account number and routing number for your bank account<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<h3>What you\u2019ll need to apply for SSI, SSDI<\/h3>\n<p>Additionally, you may need<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/disability\/apply.html\">\u00a0more information<\/a>\u00a0to apply for disability benefits, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Contact information for doctors, hospitals, and clinics where you received care<\/li>\n<li>Names and dosages of your medication<\/li>\n<li>Medical records and lab results<\/li>\n<li>A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<h2>When Can You Apply for Benefits<\/h2>\n<h3>Retirement and spousal benefits<\/h3>\n<p>To apply for earned benefits (your own retirement benefits) or spousal benefits, you must be at least age 61 and 8 months old and planning on collecting benefits in the next four months. To receive your full benefit, wait until your full retirement age (between ages 65 and 67, depending on your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/agereduction.html\">birth year<\/a>). For retirement benefits, your benefit increases by 8% every year you wait to claim between full retirement age and age 70.<\/p>\n<h3>Survivors benefits<\/h3>\n<p>You can claim survivors benefits at age 60 if you are a widow, widower or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-benefits-for-divorced-spouses\/\">qualifying divorced spouse<\/a>; age 50 if you are disabled; or any age if you are caring for a child under age 16 or a disabled child of the deceased worker. Full retirement age for survivors benefits is between ages 65 and 67, depending on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/survivors\/survivorchartred.html\">your birth year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Disability benefits<\/h3>\n<p>There is no set age to be eligible for SSDI, but generally, you must be younger than full retirement age, but have worked long enough to have earned Social Security benefits. For example, if you\u2019re age 23 or younger,\u00a0you need 6 credits from a 3-year period ending when your disability started. If you\u2019re between ages 31-42, you need\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/credits.html\">20 credits<\/a>. For every year after that, the number of credits you need goes up by one until you reach age 62 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/credits.html\">40 credits<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>To apply for adult SSI benefits, you must be blind or disabled or at least age 65. To apply for child SSI benefits, you must be unmarried, blind or disabled, and younger than age 18 or younger than age 22 and regularly attending school.<\/p>\n<h2>Start your online application<\/h2>\n<p>The sooner you apply for benefits, the sooner your application can be processed. Take a little time to gather some of the information you\u2019ll need and then get started.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-47782a2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"47782a2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d43326f\" data-id=\"d43326f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b48ecc elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"6b48ecc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re ready to apply for Social Security benefits, you\u2019ve probably already given some thought to things like when you want your benefits to start or what kind of documents you might need to apply. A lot of that will will of course depend on the type of benefits you\u2019re seeking. Applying for retirement benefits, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Social Security Application Process - SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thinking about applying for Social Security benefits? We explain the application process and what to expect...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Social Security Application Process - SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Thinking about applying for Social Security benefits? We explain the application process and what to expect...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-12-04T00:01:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-22T21:26:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/shutterstock_792865441.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Allie Fleder\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e1e876d7736d540f0047b6adc84e2ba1\"},\"headline\":\"Social Security Application Process\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-12-04T00:01:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-22T21:26:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\"},\"wordCount\":1608,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-application-process\/\",\"name\":\"Social Security Application Process - SimplyWise Cost Estimator\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2019-12-04T00:01:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-22T21:26:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Thinking about applying for Social Security benefits? 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