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SAVE A TRIP - VISIT WWW.SOCIALSECURITY.GOV

Burbank, Calif. (April 2009)-- Here are some of the things you can do if you visit us online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Apply for benefits. You can apply for Social Security retirement, spouse's or disability benefits right over the Internet. If you are applying for disability benefits you'll also need to complete the disability report, which also is available online. Need to take a break or look for some records to answer the questions? That's just fine with us. You can leave and then come back to complete your application or report. After you have applied, you can check back online for the status of your application as well.

See if you qualify for Social Security benefits. You can use our online screening tool to see what benefits you might be eligible for from any of the programs Social Security administers. Then, you can use our benefit planners to calculate your benefit amounts, whether you're considering retirement or disability or the benefits available to your family if you die.

Request a Statement. Every year we send a Social Security Statement to all workers age 25 or older. It arrives about two to three months before your birthday. Your Statement includes a detailed report of your earnings over the years as well as an estimate of benefits you could receive upon retirement or disability, and an estimate of how much your family could be eligible for in survivors benefits if you die. Can't wait for your regularly scheduled Statement? Go online! Request a Statement online and we'll mail it to you within 2-4 weeks.

Find the Social Security office closest to you. There's so much you can do online, but sometimes you may want to talk with a Social Security representative face-to-face. If that's the case, your first step is to visit our online field office locator. Just type in your ZIP code and find the Social Security office closest to you.

Get a password. If you already get Social Security benefits, there's so much more you can do online if you have a password. With a password, you can check the information and benefit amounts in your Social Security records and change your address, telephone number or direct deposit account information without leaving the comfort of your home.

This is just a sample of the many services now available online. So whatever your business with Social Security, save a trip and visit our website www.socialsecurity.gov.

www.SocialSecurity.gov