If you have recently been approved for Social Security benefits, you may have already received your award letter. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends award letters after approval for all types of benefits, although most people think about Social Security disability benefits when considering an award letter.
You might need a copy of your award letter in many situations, and you must know how to get one if the need arises.
So, what is an award letter, and how do you get a copy of yours? Keep reading for all the details!
What Is A Social Security Award Letter?
A Social Security award letter is a notice from the Social Security Administration informing you that you have been approved for benefits. It will also state your specific benefits.
You will receive this type of letter after approval for retirement benefits, disability benefits (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Medicare benefits, or other benefits administered by the SSA.
The award letter is just one of the pieces in the overall process of how Social Security works. While the award letter is technically the first notification of your approval, there are many times when you will need a copy of this letter. These letters prove that you are receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration.
These letters are commonly referred to as benefit verification letters, proof of income letters, budget letters, proof of award letters, and proof of benefits letters. All of these terms are synonymous with “Social Security Award Letter.”
We will discuss why you might need a copy of this letter later in this article. Let’s look at how you can get a copy of your award letter.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Award letters are important and needed when applying for a loan or proving benefit status.
- Award letters may also be referred to as “benefit verfication letter”, “proof of benefits letter” among others.
- The easiest way to get a copy is online.
How To Get A Copy Of Your Social Security Award Letter
Do you know how to obtain one when you need a copy of your award letter? You can get a copy of your letter in a few different ways. Here is how to do it:
- Online: The easiest and quickest way to get a copy of your Social Security award letter is through a My Social Security account.
- If you already have an account, log into your account and click “Replacement Documents.”
- From there, you can select “Get a benefit verification letter.” This link will take you directly to your award letter; you can view, save, or print your letter from there.
- For those without a My Social Security Account, creating one is easy. In most cases, it takes less than ten minutes to sign up, and this online account also offers many other great benefits. You will need your Social Security number and a few different pieces of information to confirm your identity. Besides getting a copy of your award letter, you can also use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, view your Social Security statement, and complete many other common requests.
- In-Person: If you cannot complete your request online, you can visit your local Social Security office to request a copy of your award letter.
- The representative at your local SSA office will need your name, SSN, and a document proving your identity before giving you a copy of the award letter. While Social Security offices are once again accepting walk-ins, it is always best to call and make an appointment beforehand.
- While using their online services is preferred, you can also pick up a copy of your award letter in person at your local office.
- Over The Phone: The final option for obtaining a copy of your award letter is over the phone.
- Call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
- After verifying your identity, the representative can mail a copy of your award letter to your home address.
- This method usually takes the longest, so if you need the letter immediately, consider one of the other options.
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Why You Need An Award Letter
You might be wondering why you would ever need a copy of your award. After all, you should know how much your monthly benefit payments are, correct? There are several reasons why you might need a copy of your award letter, and here are a few:
One of the most common reasons you need a copy of your award letter is for proof of income when applying for a loan or mortgage. Social Security beneficiaries frequently need a copy of their letter to prove their benefit amount to a bank or other lending institution. Just like a bank might request copies of a paystub from working individuals, those who are retired usually need to present a copy of their award letter.
Next, you might need your Medicare award letter to prove your medical insurance coverage. Your doctor or health care provider might need to see this letter before performing certain services to ensure they are covered under insurance. Lastly, those receiving SSI benefits might need a copy of their award letter to prove their eligibility for other assistance programs.
TIP
SSI beneficiaries automatically qualify for many other programs, like housing assistance, food stamps, and others. Their SSI award letter is enough documentation to qualify them for these other programs.
Information Found In Your Social Security Award Letter
Your Social Security award letter contains very specific information. Here are the highlights of the information contained in the letter.
- Identifying Information: First, your award letter contains identifying information that ties your award letter to you. Items like your name, address, and date of birth will be included in the letter. This information must be included so that your award letter is personalized with your information. A generic letter without your identifying information would not serve much purpose.
- Payment Amounts: Many wonder, “How do I find my Social Security benefit amount?” The answer is to look at your award letter. Your award letter will contain your monthly payment amounts. This amount will show how much Social Security pays you monthly via direct deposit. This information is one of the most important pieces when you use your letter as proof of income. You might need a certain income to get approved for a loan, and your award letter will show the bank exactly how much you get each month.
- Monthly Deductions: In addition to your monthly payment amounts, your award letter will also show any deductions that are withheld from your Social Security payments. While taxes are not usually withheld from your payments (unless you complete a voluntary withholding form), other items might be withheld. The most common item withheld from your Social Security check is your Medicare premium. Your award letter will show the amount of your premium withheld from your monthly payment.
- Back Pay Calculation: In many cases, it could be several months from the time you apply for disability until you get approved for benefits. During this time, you could accrue back pay that is due. Your award letter will show you the amount of back pay you are due, and you will usually receive this payment as a lump sum. Be aware that you could owe taxes on this payment, although the IRS allows you to spread your back pay across prior year tax returns to help on your tax bill.
- Type of Benefits: Your award letter should plainly state the benefits you receive from the Social Security Administration. You could be receiving retirement benefits, disability benefits, SSI benefits, survivor benefits, Medicare benefits, or others. You might need to provide this information to another agency, depending on your situation.
- Monthly Payment Dates: Your award letter shows you the amount you will receive each month and when you will receive your payments. Depending on the type of benefit you receive, the payment dates could be a little different. If you need to know when your check will arrive each month, you should refer to your award letter. It will contain this information.
The Bottom Line
Social Security award letters are typically no more than a page or two but contain some essential information. These letters contain your name, date of birth, the amount of your benefits, the type of benefits you receive, and the payment dates.
You will likely need a copy of this letter when applying for a loan or proving your benefit status.
Requesting a copy of your award letter online through your My Social Security account is the easiest way to get a copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can print a copy of your award letter online. Accessing your award letter through your mySocial Security account is the quickest and easiest way to get a copy of your award letter.
In your account, you can view, print, and save a copy of your award letter.
If you are unable to get your letter online, you can also visit your local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration.
The length of time it takes to get an award letter often depends on the type of benefit for which you are applying.
For retirement benefits, you can expect to receive your award letter within two to three months.
However, for disability benefits, it can sometimes take a year or more to get your award letter. Many disability applications are initially denied, so you must appeal the denial. The appeals process is lengthy, so it could be more than a year before you finally get approved for benefits and receive your award letter.
If you notice a copy of your letter in your online account, that is one of the signs you will be approved for disability.
If you are receiving any type of Social Security benefits, then you have an award letter. For those who are not yet receiving benefits but have already applied, you can track the status of your application through your online Social Security account.
As soon as you have been approved for benefits, you should have an award letter available and can get a copy of it.
This Social Security award letter sample shows you what the offical letter looks like.
It will contain your name and address, and the Social Security logo should be clearly displayed on the letter.
The letter is typically about a page in length, and it will contain several key pieces of information about your benefits.
You can log into your mySocial Security account online to view a copy of your award letter.
You can find a Social Security office near you by using our SSA office locator and searching for your closest location.
