Social Security Benefits and Services | Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration distributes the nation's basic method of insuring a continuing income to a person or family when earnings stop or are reduced because of retirement, disability or death. In-person assistance is available at local offices. Online service through the Social Security portal include applying for benefits and checking an application's status. The main Social Security payment types are: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - pays benefits/monthly checks to qualifying individuals based on financial need. To qualify you must be at least 65, blind or disabled. Low income and resource limits also apply. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - pays benefits to people meeting certain medical requirements for disability payments, if you are insured, meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.​ A Disability Determination Services (DDSs) field office is responsible for verifying non-medical eligibility requirements, which may include age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information. The field office then sends the case to a DDS for evaluation of disability The Social Security office may have a list of approved organizational payees.

01/08/2026