Skip to main content
U.S. flag An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

...
What to Know about Proving Your Identity
Social Security
X
Benefits
BY PHASE
  • Prepare
  • Apply
  • Manage benefits
BY TYPE
  • Retirement
  • Disability
  • Survivor
  • Family
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Benefits overview
Medicare
  • Plan for Medicare
  • Sign up for Medicare
  • Request to lower IRMAA
  • Apply for Part D Extra Help
  • Manage Medicare benefits
Card & record
  • Number & card
  • Personal record
Español
Sign in
Menu

Press Office (Subscribe)

Menu

  • Contact the Press Office
  • Press Releases
  • Reports, Facts and Figures
  • Social Security Update
  • Follow us @SSAPress
  • COLA

Press Release  (En español)

Monday, October 22, 2001
For Immediate Release
Tom Tobin, Acting Press Officer
press.office@ssa.gov
News Release SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security Offers Spanish Language Immediate Claims Service

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today, that Spanish language customers may apply for Social Security retirement or survivors benefits immediately when they call the Social Security Administration's national toll-free 800 number (1-800-772-1213).

Certain callers will be able to file directly over the phone on their first contact with SSA without having to make an appointment or visit an office. To file an immediate claim, individuals should have certain documents in-hand when calling such as their birth certificate, their most recent W-2 form or tax return and bank account information.

"At the Social Security Administration, we are committed to providing the public with choices in the way they want to conduct business," stated Acting Commissioner Larry G. Massanari. "We recognize that the public wants choices and we will always be there for people who wish to be served on the telephone or face-to-face in our offices."

Individuals will still have the option to set up an appointment. They can call SSA's national toll-free 800 number to schedule a phone interview or a face-to-face interview. Of the more than 3 million people who applied for Social Security retirement or survivors benefits last year, almost 2 percent (62,000 people) preferred to deal with the Agency in Spanish.

Earlier this year SSA launched two new Spanish language Internet pages.

  • Preguntas Frecuentes (Frequently Asked Questions) - www.ssa.gov/espanol/faqs
  • Para la Mujer (For Women) - www.ssa.gov/espanol/mujeres

The Agency's Spanish language website, Seguro Social, Información en Español - www.ssa.gov/espanol/ - averages about 10,000 visitors a month.

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: A fact sheet is available here.

Support
  • Contact us
  • Find an office
  • Forms
  • Publications
  • Report fraud
Languages
  • Español
  • Other languages
  • Plain language
Services for
  • Employers & businesses
  • Representatives
  • Government agencies
  • Other groups
About
  • About SSA
  • Communications
  • Careers
  • Initiatives
  • Research & policy
  • Financial reports
Agency logo

SSA.gov

An official website of the Social Security Administration.


  • Accessibility support
  • Privacy policy
  • FOIA requests
  • Civil Rights/Compliance
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • Office of the Chief Actuary
  • Performance reports
  • System status
Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov