Important: We updated this article in April 2025 after fact checking current Social Security Administration policy. What is a Social Security award letter? Should you keep it if you get one in the mail from the Social Security Administration? And how does it affect your approval for Social Security disability benefits?
When you apply for any kind of Social Security payments, you’ll often receive a response by mail. The purpose of this mailed letter is to document how much the SSA pays you for monthly benefits.
This might seem like a casual document to simply inform you of the SSA’s decision about your claim. However, that’s not completely true. Your award letter is an important document that you will likely need whenever you make significant financial moves. Applying for a mortgage or government housing are two examples of when you may need this document later.
Keep reading to learn 3 important times when you may need this award notice in the future.
Your Social Security Benefit Verification Letter: Key Takeaways
- Whenever you file a benefit application with the Social Security system, they eventually respond with a letter of some kind. It may be called a benefit verification letter, budget letter, proof of income letter, or benefits letter. But, this letter will arrive via USPS mail at the home address listed on your claim.
- If you lose this document, you can request another one from the SSA at any time. They will mail another copy to your home address upon request.
- You will need copies of this document in the future to show proof of income, lack of benefits, or that you did file a claim. It’s best to make several photocopies of every document you receive from the SSA and keep them somewhere safe.
- This letter will prove helpful when you apply for additional financial assistance in the future, and especially for housing or loan applications.
Reason #1: When Applying for Loans, Mortgages, or Government Housing
When you apply for a loan, mortgage, or government housing, you must provide the lender with information about your income. Because Social Security benefits count as income, you need some way to prove how much you receive in in monthly benefits.
Social Security benefits do not work like pay stubs do each month. So, you don’t have that type of proof of income to show for things like mortgage loan applications. A Social Security award letter does explain:
- Your monthly benefit income amount
- How that money arrives each month (i.e., direct deposit or physical check)
- Official start date for your benefit payments (which can serve as your income history)
Reason #2: To Receive Benefits from State-Run and Local Aid Programs
Social Security benefits might also make you eligible for state and local aid programs that can help you out financially. This is especially true if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments each month.
Why would you need to apply for additional help? Because even though these benefits increase as the cost of living goes up, the benefits are modest. And for most people, benefits alone may not be enough to pay all their living expenses.
Whether you receive payments from SSI, Social Security retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), other programs can prove very helpful. Some examples might include:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). This program provides cash benefits you can use to purchase groceries every month.
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). TANF programs vary from state to state, but you must have children younger than 16 living at home to qualify.
- LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program). This federal program helps low-income households cover their electricity, heating, and gas bills each month.
- Emergency housing assistance programs. If you need emergency assistance with paying your rent, call 211. You can also visit HUD.gov to search for your state’s public housing authority (PHA) for help finding a new home.
To easily apply for these benefits, you may need to show that you receive some Social Security income each month. This is one major reason why your benefits letter is so important. It’s helpful to have copies of your Social Security award letter to submit with your application for such aid programs.
Reason #3: Applying for Medicare or Medicaid Coverage
Another benefit that becomes available with certain Social Security benefits is health insurance via Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Even though you may automatically qualify for such coverage, you may still need to apply to access your healthcare coverage. It all depends on:
- Which U.S. state you currently live in
- When your benefits began
- How much money you may get each month from other sources besides Social Security
In certain states and situations, having your Social Security award letter is crucial to complete enrollment in Medicare or Medicaid.
What Does a Social Security Award Letter Include?
First, your letter should tell you that the Social Security Administration approved your application for benefits. It will also tell you how much in benefits you’ll receive every month. Your award letter from Social Security will also tell you when you’ll receive those benefits (your monthly payment) each month.
The letter may also state whether the agency owes you any back benefit payments, and if so, for what amount. Your disability award letter will also tell you what steps you need to take to ensure that you receive your first payment as quickly as possible.
We can’t stress this enough: It’s vital that you keep this document in a safe, accessible place and make several copies. That way, you can provide it to any other federal, state, or local agency in the future, if needed.
How Can You Get a Copy of Your Social Security Award Letter?
It’s important to remember that the SSA will send you your award letter shortly after they approve your application. If you misplace that document, though, there are several ways you can request a copy of it.
Below are several different ways you may obtain a copy of your award letter from the SSA.
Online
An easy way is to request a copy online through the SSA website. To do this, simply sign into your Login.gov account online. If you don’t have a login already, then you may need to create an account first. You will need to provide the SSA with some basic information and set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account.
In Person
Even though the SSA does not say that you can get a copy of your letter in person, you can. If you have a local SSA office in your area, you can simply visit the office to request a paper version. Remember to call ahead to make an appointment for your visit and take at least one form of acceptable identification.
By Automated Phone Assistance
If you cannot travel or have no Internet access, you can call the SSA to request a copy:
- Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
- When you hear “How can I help you today?” Say this: “Proof of income letter.”
- Then, provide any info the SSA needs from you to complete your request.
Important: If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 1-800-325-0778 instead.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Proof of Award Letter from Social Security?
The SSA says they will mail your Social Security benefits verification letter within ten (10) days of your request. However, this timeline only applies if you already receive benefits now and no longer have your original document.
It may take 1-3 months after the SSA reaches a decision on your claim to receive your original award notice. Why? Because any benefit application other than Social Security retirement usually takes at least 6 months to review and complete.
Find a Social Security Attorney to Help You Qualify for Disability Benefits
Why should you work with a Social Security attorney when applying for disability benefits? Because less than 1 in 5 people who apply for disability without a lawyer get benefits on their first try.
Studies show that you are 2.9x more likely to receive benefits within 6 months if an attorney files your paperwork. Moreover, 58% of applicants with lawyers get benefits on their first try, compared to 20% who file on their own.
Perhaps most importantly, working with an attorney costs you no money up front. In fact, you pay $0 in legal fees if your claim fails to produce any benefits. And if the SSA does award you payments, you only pay one small fee afterwards.
Ready to get the help you need and deserve with your Social Security claim? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz now:
Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation
Lisa Allen is a writer and editor who lives in suburban Kansas City. She holds MFAs in Creative Nonfiction and Poetry, both from the Solstice Low-Residency Program in Creative Writing at Pine Manor College. Prior to becoming a writer, Lisa worked as a paralegal, where she specialized in real estate in and around Chicago.
