Here are the documents you need to collect before filing
To make the process of filing for Social Security benefits easier, it’s important to know what documents you need when applying. Here’s a directive from the Social Security website: “You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We (Social Security) cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired). We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.”
Social Security’s objective is to confirm your citizenship, age, and identity. Additionally from the Social Security website: “We (Social Security) may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.”
This process may seem to be very frustrating. In the current environment of identity theft, please keep in mind that the Social Security representatives are only following the best process to make sure your doing their job and making sure that your application is confidential and secure.
Below is a summary of benefits and the documents needed to file. You may be asked for all of them or only some of them. Even if you don’t have all the documents necessary, you can still start the application process. This is important as your Social Security payments will start based on your application date, not when you have all the documents.
YOUR OWN BENEFIT
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Can Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth-i.e., U.S. hospital record; United States Passport; or United States driver’s license
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
- U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
- W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
- Social Security card
SPOUSAL BENEFITS
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Can Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
- U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
- W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
- Marriage certificate
EX-SPOUSAL BENEFITS
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Can Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
- U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
- W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
- Marriage certificate
- Final divorce decree
CHILDREN’S BENEFITS
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Cannot Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- The child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth or adoption, including: United States Passport; doctor, clinic, or hospital record; or School identification card
- Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if the child was not born in the United States
- W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax returns if the child had earnings last year
CHILD IN CARE BENEFITS
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Cannot Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- The child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth or adoption, including: United States Passport; doctor, clinic, or hospital record; or School identification card
- Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if the child was not born in the United States
- W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax returns if the child had earnings last year
SURVIVOR BENEFITS
To Confirm Your Eligibility, You Cannot Apply Online & You Will Need the Following Documents:
- Proof of death, either from a funeral home or death certificate
- Your Social Security number, as well as that of your deceased spouse
- Your birth certificate
- Your marriage certificate if you are a widow or widower
- Any dependent children’s Social Security numbers and birth certificates
- Your deceased spouse’s W-2 forms or federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year
Always remember, taking the wrong benefit at the wrong time, it’s always smaller and forever.