Social Security Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. They have special rules to help you return to work without jeopardizing your initial benefits. You may be able to have a trial work period of nine months to test whether you can work.

If you get disability benefits and your condition improves or you return to work, report these changes to the SSA by calling 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or contacting your local Social Security office.

If you have applied for benefits, you can check the status of your Social Security application online.

Your application status shows the following:

• The date we received your application
• Any requests for additional documents
• The address of the office processing your application and
• If a decision has been made

You cannot check the status of an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits online. If you are unable to check your status online, you can:

• Call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm or
• Contact your local Social Security office

You can get your personal Social Security Statement online by using your My Social Security account. Your online Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your earnings records and estimates for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Do not laminate your card. Lamination prevents the detection of many security features. However, you may cover the card with plastic or other removable material if it does not damage it.

They can assign a different number only if:

• Sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family are causing problems
• More than one person is assigned or using the same number
• A victim of identity theft continues to be disadvantaged by using the original number
• There is a situation of harassment, abuse, life endangerment or
• An individual has religious or cultural objections to certain numbers or digits in the original number. (They will require written documentation in support of the objection from a religious group with which the number holder has an established relationship.)

When they assign a different Social Security number, SSA do not destroy the original number. They cross-refer the new number with the original number to make sure the person receives credit for all earnings under both numbers. People who want to ask for a new Social Security number must:

• Apply in person at a Social Security office
• Complete an application
• Provide a statement explaining the reasons for needing a new number
• Provide current, credible, third-party evidence documenting the reasons for needing a new number and
• Provide original documents establishing
• U.S. citizenship or work-authorized immigration status
• Age
• Identity and
• Evidence of a legal name change, if appropriate

For more information about changing your Social Security number in domestic violence cases, see New Numbers For Domestic Violence Victims. To request a different Social Security number, contact your local Social Security office for an in-person appointment.

Anyone can refuse to disclose their number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that does not violate federal or state law. Sometimes, they will issue a different number if you ask.

You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when you are at least 61 years and 9 months of age. You should apply three months before you want your benefits to start. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. When you’re ready to apply, use their online retirement application.

You can ask to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security when you apply for benefits. If you already receive benefits and want to change or stop your withholding, you’ll need a form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

You can download the form or call the IRS toll-free number 800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the IRS TTY number, 1-800-829-4059.)

When you complete the form, you will need to select the percentage of your monthly benefit amount you want withheld for taxes. You can have 7%, 10%, 15%, or 25% withheld.

Note: Only these percentages can be withheld. Flat dollar amounts are not accepted. If you want to know how much a particular rate equals in dollars, call 800-772-1213. (If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number, 800-325-0778.)

There are three taxable brackets for the amount of your Social Security benefit. Those three brackets are zero, 50%, and 85%. This means that you will owe taxes on either none of your benefits, half of your benefits, or 85% of your benefits.

This amount will count toward your taxable income. The tax bracket you fall into will depend on your overall income. The portion of your taxable Social Security benefits will be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.

The tax rate on Social Security income is the same as that on your regular income. The rate depends on your total adjusted gross income for the year. If taxable, Social Security income is added to your regular taxable income.

Therefore, it will be taxed at the same rate as income from wages, taxable interest, or any other income reported on your tax return.

Whether or not Social Security counts as taxable income depends on your total combined income. The IRS provides a worksheet detailing how to calculate your total combined income.

You must add your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. If this amount is less than $25,000, you will not count your Social Security payments as taxable income. If the amount is between $25,000 and $34,000, half of your Social Security payments will count as taxable income.

Lastly, for those with a combined income of more than $34,000, 85% of your Social Security benefit will be counted as taxable income.

If you overpaid your Social Security taxes, you might be able to get a refund. You must file Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, with the IRS to do so.

There are a few exceptions to paying the self-employment tax. The self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax that all workers must pay on their net earnings from self-employment.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. First, if your net earnings from self-employment are less than $400 a year, you do not have to pay the self-employment tax.

Second, if you are retired and you receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, you do not have to pay the self-employment tax on those benefits.

Third, if you are married and file a joint return with your spouse, neither you nor your spouse has to pay the self-employment tax on any income reported on your return.

Finally, if you are a church employee who receives wages of $108 or more per week (or $5,200 or more per year), you do not have to pay the self-employment tax on those wages.

There are many things someone can do with your Social Security number. The most common things are opening new credit cards, getting new loans, and performing fraudulent financial transactions.

However, a thief can also file fraudulent tax returns, make withdrawals from your Social Security account, or even sign up for Medicare. Since there are so many activities that a thief could potentially perform with your SSN, it is imperative that you safeguard your number and keep a close eye on your credit file and financial statements.

A phishing scam occurs when someone attempts to steal your personal information. Most phishing scams occur through email, although more and more are occurring over the phone. The scammers will usually impersonate a known person or organization.

For example, they might send an email that appears to come from your bank. In the email, they might ask you to click a link and verify your Social Security number or password. If you do so, the information goes to the scammer, and they have access to your SSN.

A caller might also tell you your Social Security number has been suspended. Your number cannot be suspended, and this is a scam! You should never provide any personal information via email or over the phone unless you are absolutely certain of the requester’s identity.

There is no way to stop someone from using your Social Security number once they can access it. However, there are things you can do to make it more difficult to stop them.

When you place a credit freeze on your SSN, it blocks access to your credit report. This essentially prevents them from opening new credit lines in your name. You can also notify the IRS and your financial institutions of the fraud so that they can take additional steps to verify your identity before allowing transactions to be made on your account.

Finally, if the fraud is so bad that you cannot recover, the Social Security Administration will issue a new Social Security number. Remember that new numbers are reserved for severe ID theft cases only.

One of the best things you can do to provide identity theft protection for your child is to keep their Social Security card stored in a safe and secure place until needed.

Do not carry the card around with you or allow the child to carry it. Also, you should obtain a free credit report for them each year to monitor their credit history and make sure that nothing suspicious appears on the report.

Unfortunately, you cannot replace your Social Security card on the same day. You can, however, visit your local Social Security office and obtain a receipt serving as proof that you have submitted your application for a new card.

This receipt can be used as evidence of a temporary card in some situations. It will take anywhere from 10-14 to process your application for a new card, but the quickest way to get the replacement is through your Social Security account online.

No, your Social Security card is valid for life. Should you lose your card, you can obtain a replacement from the Social Security Administration. However, there is no need to renew your card unless you need to make a name change or some other change to your information.

You can find a Social Security Administration office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.