Mission
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is committed to helping maintain the basic well-being and protection of the people it serves. SSA administers retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare. SSA also provides Social Security Numbers, which are unique identifiers needed to work, handle financial transactions, and determine eligibility for certain government services.
Designated Services
Designated Services
Applying for a replacement Social Security card
People may need a replacement Social Security card for various reasons, such as misplacement, damage, or updating information due to a name change. A Social Security Number (SSN) is crucial for working in the United States, and the card may be required for accepting a job, enrolling in health insurance, or accessing specific government services. In FY23, the Social Security Administration issued around 8.6 million replacement cards in person and about 2.8 million through the online replacement card service.
Filing for Social Security retirement benefits
Customers aged 62 and over access Social Security retirement benefits, including monthly payments and health insurance through Medicare beginning at age 65. SSA processes and adjudicates applications, enrolls individuals in Medicare Parts A and/or B, and provides assistance through online, phone, or in-person channels. SSA administers the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program, providing benefits to over 55 million qualified workers and families each month. In FY21, the OASI program provided nearly $1 trillion in benefits, with about 30 percent of income for the age 65+ population coming from Social Security benefits.
Obtaining adult disability benefits
The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs assist individuals with disabilities, providing monthly benefits to about 7.6 million disabled workers and 4.2 million disabled adults. These programs are designed to support individuals who cannot work due to a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death. SSA assists applicants in completing applications online, over the phone, through the mail, or at local offices. The focus is on delivering timely benefits and services to meet essential needs, particularly addressing the significant number of claims from people waiting over six months for a disability determination.
Action Plans
2022 Action Plan commitments are detailed in Executive Order 14058