How to Check on a Social Security Payout

Are you waiting to hear the status of your Social Security claim?

Waiting to hear about the status of your Social Security claim can be agonizing, particularly if the money is sorely needed. Fortunately the Social Security Administration has two options available to those who don't want to wait for a claim decision to arrive in the mail, and they work for those who have applied for spousal, retirement, and disability benefits. You can choose to check the status of your claim on lilne or by telephone, whichever you prefer.

Things You'll Need

• Your Social Security number
• Your application confirmation number

Instructions

1. Choose either the Social Security Administration's online or phone claim status service. Both services offer the same information, so your choice is really down to what you feel most comfortable with. One advantage to checking on line, however, is that you can print out your information if you prefer to review it off line.

2. Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (automated services such as claim status information are available 24 hours per day) or visit www.socialsecurity.gov to check your claim on line. Keep in mind that, unlike the phone services, some online services are not available 24 hours. Check the site for current hours of operation.

3. When prompted, enter your Social Security number as well as your confirmation number. The system will then provide you with an updated claim status.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have concerns about your claim, the Social Security Administration offers live customer service via telephone Monday through Friday. If your concern is complex, you can also call your local Social Security Administration office to request an in-person appointment.

• You can request that the Social Security Administration remove your information from its online and telephone services. This request can be made on line. If you choose this option, nobody, not even yourself, will be able to obtain your Social Security from the Internet and telephone services. If you change your mind in the future, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration.

References

• Social Security Administration: National 800 Number Telephone Services
• Social Security Administration: What You Can Do Online
• Social Security Administration: Block Electronic Access