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Processing time for benefits

Each year, we typically sign up over 6 million new customers for the Retirement, Survivor, and Medicare programs. We're committed to ensuring that our customers get their payments or coverage promptly.

The SecurityStat process

  • Set a strategic goal.
    Process 83% of Retirement, Survivor, or Medicare claims in time for payment at the earliest point due (or within 2 weeks of filing for benefits if filed too late for payment at the earliest point due).

  • Drive leading actions.
    Encourage more customers to use SSA.gov to enroll and complete other common tasks. This will free up field office staff to focus on customers who need more help.

  • Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) over time.
    Percentage of people getting benefits on time or within 2 weeks of applying.

Percentage of people receiving benefits on time or within 2 weeks of applying

7-year trend

The percentage of on-time receipt of benefits is different than the average time it takes to complete a Retirement, Survivor, or Medicare application. This chart doesn’t include people seeking Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Those programs have separate, longer application processes. From fiscal years 2018 to 2024, the percentage of benefit claims processed timely decreased by nearly 5 percentage points, while the number of benefits we processed increased by an anticipated 13.5% based on estimates of our fiscal year 2024 data. We had less staff to process claims in fiscal year 2022.  Our fiscal year 2023 staff numbers increased but decreased in fiscal year 2024. 

Monthly trend

This chart doesn’t include people seeking Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Those programs have separate, longer enrollment processes. 

By local field office

This map shows fiscal year to date performance for each of our more than 1,200 local field offices.

Last updated on November 4, 2024