Pick your benefit by who you are: retirement if you are at least 62 with at least 10 years of work and Social Security taxes, disability if a medical condition will last at least one year or result in death, survivor or family benefits through a worker’s record, and SSI if you have little or no income and few assets. Not sure which one? SSA’s eligibility check takes 10 minutes or less.
The short answer: which benefit to apply for
| Benefit | Who it is for (per SSA) |
|---|---|
| Retirement benefits | You’re at least 62 years old and have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years; you may also enroll in Medicare if eligible |
| Family benefits | You’re a spouse, ex-spouse, child or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes |
| Disability benefits | You have a medical condition that will last at least one year or result in death, it makes it hard or impossible to work, and you worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough |
| Survivor benefits | You’re a spouse, ex-spouse, child or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died |
| Lump-Sum Death Payment | A one-time payment when your spouse who worked and paid Social Security taxes dies; a child of the worker may qualify in certain circumstances |
| SSI for Disability | You’re blind or have a disability, have little or no income or assets, and have difficulty paying for essentials like food, clothing and a home |
| SSI for Age 65+ | You’re 65 or older with little or no income or assets and difficulty paying for essentials |
How do you tell the benefits apart?
Ask two questions. Did you (or the person whose record you use) work and pay Social Security taxes? Then look at retirement, disability, family or survivor benefits. Is your problem mainly low income and few assets? Then SSI is the one. Retirement starts at 62, while SSI for age 65+ starts at 65, so the age cutoff alone sets the two apart.
Not sure what to apply for?
Use SSA’s eligibility check. You answer a few questions, taking 10 minutes or less, and it tells you which benefits you may be eligible for and how to submit your application. It reflects your life now. It cannot tell you whether you will become eligible later. If you only need health insurance right now, apply for Medicare instead, covered in Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7).
How do you check on an application or appeal?
Sign in to your account to see where you are in the process and when SSA expects a decision. Many factors affect review time, including the type of application or appeal. You can also use automated phone help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-772-1213 and, when you hear “How can I help you today?”, say “application status”. The TTY number for people who are deaf or hard of hearing is 1-800-325-0778.
For related basics see Social Security full retirement age by birth year and replacing a Social Security card.
What should you do next?
- Find your row in the table. If two rows fit, run the eligibility check.
- Apply for a child through the same page: it asks first whether you apply for an adult (18 and over) or a child (under 18).
- After you apply, check status online or call 1-800-772-1213 and say “application status”.
- Use SSA’s benefits estimate tool, linked from its Prepare page, to see how much a benefit would be.
Not covered: the best age to start retirement benefits, which depends on your record and plans. This is general information, not advice about when to claim.
Questions and answers
How old do I have to be to apply for retirement benefits?
You must be at least 62 and have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years.
Can I apply for a child?
Yes. The apply page asks first whether you are applying for an adult (18 and over) or a child (under 18).
How do I check my application status by phone?
Call 1-800-772-1213 and say “application status” when prompted. The line runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Which benefit is for people with little income?
SSI. It covers people who are blind or have a disability, and people 65 or older, with little or no income or assets.
Does retirement benefit eligibility also open Medicare?
SSA says that when you apply for retirement benefits you may also enroll in Medicare if eligible.
Sources
- SSA: Apply for Social Security benefits (read 25 October 2026)
- SSA: Check eligibility for benefits
- SSA: Check application or appeal status
Facts read on 25 October 2026.
Part of the guide: Social Security, Medicare and Taxes: Guides From Official Sources
