2025 has brought about several significant changes to Social Security, and these updates have left many people feeling a bit overwhelmed. For those who depend on Social Security benefits to meet their basic needs, the recent changes can be especially unsettling. To make matters worse, the Social Security Administration’s phone lines have been overwhelmed, leading to long wait times—sometimes up to 90 minutes before even speaking to a representative.

If you need to apply for benefits, that’s not much better. You may find yourself waiting weeks for an appointment, and then weeks more for approval. This can cause unnecessary frustration and delays when all you want to do is get the help you need.

But there is a silver lining! Many essential Social Security tasks can be done completely online, helping you avoid the headache of long phone calls and in-person visits. Below, we’ll cover five key Social Security services you can take care of online, saving you time and energy.

1. Apply for Benefits

The most crucial task many people need to complete is applying for Social Security benefits. If you’re nearing retirement or you’re facing a disability, you can apply for benefits online. The Social Security Administration offers applications for both retirement benefits and spousal benefits. You can also apply for disability benefits and, in some cases, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), all through their online portal.

While many benefits can be applied for online, there are exceptions. For example, survivor benefits and SSI for low-income seniors cannot be completed online—you’ll need to either call the SSA or make a visit to a local office. Additionally, if you’re already receiving spousal benefits when your partner passes away, you may not need to apply for survivor benefits at all.

One of the best features of the online application process is that it allows you to save your progress. This means you don’t have to rush through everything at once. If you can’t finish the application, you can pick up right where you left off later on. Once you’ve submitted your application, you can track its status online and even appeal a denial through the same system. This eliminates the need for multiple phone calls or visits to an SSA office.

2. Get Personalized Benefit Estimates

One of the main reasons people delay applying for Social Security is that they’re unsure of how much they’ll receive or when they should start claiming their benefits. Fortunately, Social Security provides an online benefit estimator tool that can give you an idea of what you can expect.

If you haven’t started receiving Social Security yet, you can use the online tool found in your “my Social Security” account to get an estimate of how much you’ll qualify for at different ages. This can help you determine when the best time to start receiving your benefits is. You can use this tool for both retirement benefits and spousal benefits.

To get an accurate spousal benefit estimate, you’ll need your spouse’s birth date and the amount of benefits they would be eligible for at their full retirement age (FRA). Most workers today have an FRA of 67. If your spouse doesn’t already have a “my Social Security” account, they may need to open one in order to get the information you need.

Another useful feature of the estimator tool is the ability to simulate different future income scenarios. If you’re expecting a raise or promotion, you can test how it might affect your future Social Security checks. This allows you to better plan your retirement and decide when the best time to start claiming benefits is.

3. Get Proof of Your Benefits

For many people, proof of income is required for things like loan applications, housing assistance, and other financial programs. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll need proof of your income to verify the amount you’re receiving each month.

You can easily get this proof through the online portal. If you are receiving Social Security, you can print a benefit verification letter directly from your “my Social Security” account. The letter will include information about your benefits, making it an official form of proof.

If you’re not currently receiving benefits but need proof that you aren’t yet enrolled, you can also print a letter that states you’re not receiving Social Security benefits. This is important for situations like applying for housing assistance or other financial aid programs that require verification of your income status.

Instead of waiting for a mailed letter or calling the SSA, you can get this information at any time by simply logging into your account. This helps speed up the process and ensures that you always have access to the necessary documentation.

4. Update Your Account Information

Life changes, and when they do, it’s important to update your Social Security account to reflect these changes. Whether you’ve moved, changed banks, or need to update your contact information, you can do it all online. One of the most important updates people often need to make is changing their address.

If you move to a new home, the last thing you want is for important Social Security documents to be sent to the wrong address. Luckily, you can update your address through your “my Social Security” account. This ensures that all future correspondence, including benefits and updates, is sent to the correct location.

In addition to updating your address, you can also update your direct deposit information online. The process used to take up to 30 days for changes to go into effect, but thanks to recent changes in the SSA’s system, it now only takes one business day to process changes to your direct deposit information. This feature is available to U.S. residents. If you live outside the U.S., you’ll need to contact the SSA directly to make these changes.

This makes managing your benefits even easier, and it’s all done in one central location. By updating your information online, you can ensure that your benefits continue to be delivered without any interruptions.

5. Designate Someone to Manage Your Benefits

If you’re worried about becoming ill or incapacitated and unable to manage your Social Security benefits, you can designate someone to manage your benefits on your behalf. This person won’t automatically take control of your benefits but can step in if you become unable to manage them yourself.

To set this up, you can designate a trusted individual through your “my Social Security” account. The person you choose will be contacted by the SSA only if you’re unable to manage your benefits. You also have the option to change the person managing your benefits at any time.

While some people prefer handling this process through a phone call or in-person appointment, the online option is convenient because it saves time. It also gives you the peace of mind that someone you trust can step in and help manage your benefits when needed.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Social Security has made it easier than ever to manage your benefits and personal information. Instead of dealing with long phone waits and the frustration of in-person appointments, you can now take care of many essential tasks from the comfort of your home. From applying for benefits to updating your account information, the online portal provides a simple and convenient way to handle your Social Security needs.

And if you’re new to Social Security, this online access is a great way to get an idea of what you can expect in terms of benefits and plan for your future. It’s time to make Social Security work for you—quickly and efficiently—without all the hassle.