Documents for Social Security Application

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on April 02, 2023

Are You Retirement Ready?

Social Security is a federally administrated program that provides financial support to retired people, individuals with disabilities, or their dependents.

You are eligible for Social Security if you are an American citizen over the age of 18 who has worked previously in full-time employment.

Documents You’ll Need to Provide When Applying for Social Security

The documents you'll need to provide when applying for social security can include the following:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Documents to prove your eligibility for social security (e.g. birth certificates, marriage licenses, tax information)
  • Documents that show your citizenship (e.g. passports or driver's licenses
  • Documents that will provide the names and dates of births for all dependents on your application.

Documents may be presented in either digital or paper format. Documents that show proof of your identity and proof of citizenship must be submitted for review.

Social Security Benefits and Eligibility Requirements

You must have earned a minimum amount of work credits through employment history in order to qualify for social security benefits.

The minimum amount of work credits required to be eligible for social security benefits is 20.

During your lifetime, you may earn up to four work credits each year and there is a limit on the number of years for which you can use the same credit.

Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration provides many different types of benefits depending on how many work credits you've earned and at what age you start receiving your benefits.

A few of the benefits provided by social security include:

  • Retirement income;
  • Unemployment insurance;
  • Supplemental Security Income (for low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled);
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (for disabled individuals who have worked and paid into the system);
  • Medicare healthcare coverage.

If you feel that you may meet the requirements for Social Security benefits, it is advisable to contact your local office for more information.

The Bottom Line

Social Security is a federally administrated program that provides financial support to retired people, individuals with disabilities, or their dependents.

The Social Security Administration provides many different types of benefits depending on how many work credits you've earned and at what age you start receiving your benefits.

So if you feel like social security could be the right option for you, it is advisable to contact your local office for more information.

Documents for Social Security Application FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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