You Can Apply For Retirement Benefits Or Medicare 
Apply Online The easiest and quickest way to apply for retirement, spouse's, ex - spouse's, or Medicare benefits is to apply online. Apply By Phone Call us at If you are deaf or hard of hearing , you can call us at TTY Apply In Person Visit your local Social Security office. Call first to make an appointment. If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate. You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old to apply for retirement benefits. If you are already age 62 , you may be able to start your benefits in the month you apply. You should apply for benefits no more than four months before the date you want your benefits to start. Benefits are paid the month after they are due. If your benefits start in April, you will receive your first benefit payment in May. If you are not getting Social Security and you are not ready to retire , you should still use our online retirement benefit application to sign up for just Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. 

When You Apply 
Please be ready to supply the information we need to approve your application for these benefits : You Need To Apply For Retirement Benefits Or Medicare - Form SSA-1 Information You Need to Apply for Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits Information - Form SSA-2 You Need To Apply for Child's Benefits - Form SSA-4 Information We may ask you to provide certain documents to show that you are eligible and help us decide how much your benefits should be. If you do not have a birth certificate , you may request one from the state where you were born. For details on where to write in your state , check. Also , bring along your bank information so you can sign up for Direct Deposit. If you do not have a bank account you can sign up for the Direct Express card program. With Direct Express , deposits from federal payments are made directly to the card. 

user: I want to apply for Social Security benefits

assistant: You can apply online, it is the quickest and easiest way to do it

assistant: We also provide ways if you are hearing impaired. Are you deaf or hard of hearing?

user: yes I am deaf

assistant: you can call TTY 1-800-325-0778 to apply

user: and maybe i'll do it online

assistant: Yes, you can just do it online

user: does my age decide when my benefits start?

assistant: If you are already age 62 ,you may be able to start your benefits in the month you apply .You should apply for benefits no more than four months before the date you want your benefits to start .Benefits are paid the month after they are due

user: and if I get benefits can I get them through direct deposit?

assistant: Yes, just bring your bank information so you can sign up for Direct Deposit .If you do not have a bank account you can sign up for the Direct Express card program

user: what if I can't get my birth certificate?

assistant: you can request one from the state where you were born

user: can I apply from outside the U.S. ?

assistant: If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office , U.S. Embassy or consulate .