1505.Where Applications May Be Filed

1505.1Where do you file your application for Social Security or Medicare benefits?

File your application for Social Security benefits:

1. At a Social Security office or with an authorized Social Security employee (Retirement, Spouse, Disability, and Medicare applications may be filed on the Internet at http://www.socialsecurity.gov);

2. At a U.S. Foreign Service post if you are not a resident of the U.S. or could lose benefits because of extended absence from the U.S.;

3. In certain cases, with the Railroad Retirement Board or the Department of Veterans Affairs (see §1506); or

4. In certain cases, with a provider of hospital services that is participating in the Social Security hospital insurance program. This provision protects you if you are:

   1. Age 65 or older;

   2. Eligible for hospital insurance benefits; and

   3. Admitted to a hospital for inpatient services without ever having filed an application with us.

      Note: There is no similar provision for medical insurance. These applications can only be filed at specific times. (See Chapter 24.)

1505.2Where do you file your application for SSI benefits?

You may file your application for SSI benefits:

1. At a Social Security office or with an authorized Social Security employee;

2. At another Federal or State office with someone designated by us to receive applications, or

3. With another person designated by us to receive applications.

1505.3Where do you file your application for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs?

See Chapter 26.