FAQ
These are the most common questions we receive through our various customer support channels. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please contact us.
An SSA-1099 is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to IRS on your tax return.
If you are a nonresident alien and you received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will send you form SSA-1042S instead.
The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If you currently live in the United States and you need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, we have a new way for you to get an instant replacement quickly and easily beginning February 1st by:
- Using your online my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one online. Go to Sign In or Create an Account. Once you are logged in to your account, select the “Replacement Documents” tab;
- Calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm; or
- Contacting your local Social Security office.
If you live outside of the United States and you need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, please contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit.
Other Questions You May Find Helpful
If there is a problem, we will mail you a letter. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. The latest scam trick of using robocalls or live callers has increased. Fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim there is identity theft or another problem with one’s Social Security number, account, or benefits.
Scammers may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft. They often demand payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or mailing cash.
Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. Social Security may call you in some situations, but will never:
- Threaten you.
- Suspend your Social Security number.
- Demand immediate payment from you.
- Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer.
- Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
Don’t be fooled! You should look out for:
- A caller saying there is a problem with your Social Security number or account.
- Any call asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
- Scammers pretending they’re from Social Security or another government agency. Caller ID or documents sent by email may look official but they are not.
How to protect yourself and your family!
- If you receive a questionable call, hang up, and report the call to our Office of the Inspector General.
- Don’t return unknown calls.
- Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
- Don’t be embarrassed to report if you shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss.
- Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam.
- Share this information with friends and family.
Learn more about fraud prevention and reporting at https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts/.
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a card online. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free. The same applies once you receive the I-766 card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and bring required evidence. See Defining the legal Name for an SSN.
To get a corrected Social Security card, you will need to:
- Show the required documents. You will need proof of your identity. Sometimes you also may need to prove your current U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. See Learn What Documents You Need for more information. Under the heading, “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents you need;
- Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card; and
- Mail your application and documents to your local Social Security office.
For complete instructions, please go to Social Security Number and Card.
For more information, read our pamphlet, Your Social Security Number and Card.
Please read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to Social Security number card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Questions You May Find Helpful
To replace a Social Security card for a child:
Step 1: Gather documents proving your:
- Child’s Identity;
- U.S. citizenship if you have not established the child’s U.S. citizenship with us; and
- Immigration status if the child is not a U.S. citizen.
Step 2: Gather documents proving your:
- Identity; and
- Custody/relationship for the child.
Step 3: Complete an Application for a Social Security card.
Step 4: Take or mail the completed application and documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center.
All documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents you mail to us will be returned to you along with a receipt.
Important Information
We will mail your card as soon as we have verified all required documents. You should receive the card within 10 business days from the date on the receipt. The replacement card will have the same number as the previous card.
You may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing the Social Security number is what is important. You need a Social Security number to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some government services but you do not often need to show your Social Security card.
We are still able to provide critical services. Please note that all local Social Security offices are closed for walk-in service, though an in-person appointment may be possible. This decision protects the population we serve - older Americans and people with underlying medical conditions - and our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our local office employees are answering calls to their office and our telephone representatives are answering calls to our National 800 Number. Our website offers many safe and secure self-help services and a wealth of information to help you.
Please read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn more, including how to get help from the Social Security Administration by phone and online.
You can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your my Social Security account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for retirement, disability and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for.
To set up or use your account to get your online Social Security Statement, go to Sign In Or Create An Account.
We also mail paper Statements to workers age 60 and older three months before their birthday if they don’t receive Social Security benefits and don’t yet have a my Social Security account. Workers who don’t want to wait for their scheduled mailing can request their Social Security Statement by following these instructions. The Statement will arrive by mail in four to six weeks.
You can get an original Social Security card or a replacement card if yours is lost or stolen. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.
You can use a my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card online if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address;
- Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
- Have a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states. If your state does not yet participate in this service, check back soon. More states are added regularly.
If you cannot apply for a card online, you will need to show the required documents. We need to see different documents depending on your citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. See Learn What Documents You Need to find out what documents you will have to show. Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card; and mail your application and documents to your local Social Security office.
Please read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to Social Security number card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Questions You May Find Helpful
The my Social Security online account is a personal online service you can use to check your Social Security information and do some business with us. To find all of the services available and how to set up an account, go to my Social Security- Sign In Or Create An Account.
Watch our video, my Social Security – Creating Your Account:
If you have not worked or do not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may be able to receive spouse’s benefits.
To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of these:
- At least 62 years of age.
- Any age and caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record and who is younger than age 16 or disabled.
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to begin receiving spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.
You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.
If you do have enough credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits and you apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.
Here is an example:
Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit, and we will add $150 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $400.
Keep in mind that you may have options to increase your benefit amounts. For more information, see Filing Rules for Retirement and Spouses Benefits.
If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.
If you are divorced
If you are divorced and your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record.
See Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse for more information.
If your spouse or ex-spouse is deceased
See When A Family Member Dies for more information.
Source: ssa.gov
