Filing for Social Security

[Colliemom]

I'm getting ready to file for my Social Security as soon as I can get an appointment with the office for this region but was wndering how others of you applied. I know this has been a topic of discussion both at GTG's and ocassionally on the forum here, so would be interested in seeing how many actually applied in person, on the phone or in person. Did you find much difference by filing online as opposed to say going in person. And what documents do you need to take when you to? Not really an RV related question, but the majority of us are taking this step nowdays

[Liz]

I filed online, but believe there was a document I had to take in person to the local office. Can't remember, but probably birth certificate.

[Redwahine]

I filed online. Then got an email with a name and phone # to call. She asked a few questions and verified everything. My first check was just auto deposited last week

[Readytogo]

Sometimes they do a phone interview. I think I went to the officew first, then they set a time to call. It was fairly easy

[RitaMc]

John filed by phone and then had to mail in documents. I made an appointent and went into the SS office for a live interview. Had been informed what to bring in. I hesitated on doing it on line as invariabley I have a problem with on line forms and I didn't want to cheat myself out of any income. The SS worker will inform you what forms to bring. They are so nice to work with.

[chalet05]

I went to the SS office. Must have had the app done there and they made phone appt for me. Applying as widow, I had to send Marriage license and birth certificate.

[AlmostThere]

I went to the SS office. Must have had the app done there and they made phone appt for me. Applying as widow, I had to send Marriage license and birth certificate.

Ditto here.

[Getupngo]

A few months before I turned 60, I filed for my late husband's survivor benefits in person at my local SSA office. At the SSA web site I learned what information I needed to provide and made an appointment on line. When I arrived at the SSA office, I signed in and was promptly called in and expeditiously helped by a fine young man. He gave me complete information on what my benefit would be, when it would begin and what week of the month the benefit would arrive.

I was delighted when the first check arrived and it was more than his estimate.

[JudyJB]

You might want to talk to someone online. I think I talked to someone and then filed online, and then someone called me to verify some info.

One thing they asked me was whether I wanted to backdate my application six months. Doing that enabled me to get a big check for the past months. You need to ask abut that and make sure it does not reduce the amount you will get.

Good luck! I can tell you that doing that and applying for Medicare was the more stressful two months I had! I was so afraid I would get it all wrong and make a mistake.

[sharon]

A few months before I turned 60, I filed for my late husband's survivor benefits in person at my local SSA office. At the SSA web site I learned what information I needed to provide and made an appointment on line. When I arrived at the SSA office, I signed in and was promptly called in and expeditiously helped by a fine young man. He gave me complete information on what my benefit would be, when it would begin and what week of the month the benefit would arrive.

I was delighted when the first check arrived and it was more than his estimate.

Ditto....except I had a very nice lady rather than a fine young man. Just my luck.

[mtngal]

I did mine online start to finish. No telephone calls from SS. Nice feature is ability to save your work on the application so it's not necessary to complete in one sitting. Congrats Sue!