Updated October 18, 2026. Quick answer: Most Social Security and Medicare paperwork comes down to thirteen forms: three Medicare enrollment forms, one for IRMAA relief, one for Extra Help, two claiming applications, one withdrawal form, two survivor forms, one appeal and two for statements and records. This page matches the task to the form, states the deadline each one carries, and links a page for twelve of them. A second table below adds thirteen more forms: Medicare notices and claims, earnings records, and family and survivor benefits.
Pick the form by the task
| You want to | Form | The detail that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Enroll in Medicare Part B | Form CMS-40B | For people who already have Part A; employer coverage adds CMS-L564 |
| Prove employer coverage for Part B | Form CMS-L564 | You fill Section A, your employer fills Section B |
| End Medicare Part B | Form CMS-1763 | Part A only if you pay a premium for it |
| Lower IRMAA after a life-changing event | Form SSA-44 | A new initial determination, not an appeal |
| Get Extra Help with Part D costs | Form SSA-1020 | Does not enroll you in a drug plan |
| Apply for retirement benefits | Form SSA-1-BK | Up to four months before you want benefits to start |
| Apply for spouse’s benefits | Form SSA-2 | Deemed filing applies if born on or after January 2, 1954 |
| Withdraw an application | Form SSA-521 | Retirement: within 12 months, once, repay everything |
| Apply for survivors benefits | Form SSA-10 | Apply promptly, because some claims pay from the application date |
| Claim the lump-sum death payment | Form SSA-8 | One-time payment, 2 year deadline |
| Appeal a decision | Form SSA-561 | Generally 60 days from receipt of the notice |
| Give Social Security a written statement | Form SSA-795 | A blank page for your own statement, signed under penalty of perjury; witnesses only if signed by mark |
| Release medical records to Social Security | Form SSA-827 | Good for 12 months, revocable in writing |
Medicare forms
Three forms handle Part B. CMS-40B enrolls you, CMS-L564 carries your employer’s proof when you enroll on the strength of current work coverage, and CMS-1763 ends coverage. The enrollment windows are described in the Social Security booklet: a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday, a January 1 to March 31 General Enrollment Period, and an eight-month Special Enrollment Period after employer coverage ends. Our enrollment window calculator and first Medicare choices at 65 add the decisions.
Two forms handle cost. SSA-44 asks Social Security to set your income-related premium from a more recent year after a life-changing event. SSA-1020 applies for Extra Help with prescription drug costs.
Claiming and changing a claim
SSA-1-BK is the retirement application and SSA-2 is the spouse’s application. The retirement booklet says you can apply up to four months before benefits start. SSA-521 withdraws an application: for retirement, the manual requires the request within 12 months of the first month of entitlement, allows one in a lifetime and requires repayment of every benefit received. Read withdraw your application and Social Security timing before filing.
Survivors, appeals and records
SSA-10 applies for monthly survivors benefits and ordinarily covers the lump-sum death payment; SSA-8 is the stand-alone application for that one-time payment. SSA-561 starts an appeal, and the general rule is 60 days from receipt of the notice. SSA-795 is a signed statement and SSA-827 releases medical records. Our death benefit page and survivor benefit calculator cover the money.
More forms: Medicare notices, claims, records and family benefits
A second group of forms covers the paperwork around the first: appeals and notices from Medicare, requests for records, and the family and survivor applications. Each links to a page that was read from the agency’s own document on October 19, 2026.
| You want to | Form | The detail that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Let Medicare share your information with someone | Form CMS-10106 | Written permission for 1-800-MEDICARE to share your information with someone you name; you can cancel it in writing |
| Appeal a Medicare claim denial | CMS-20027 | 120 days from receipt, receipt presumed 5 days after the notice date |
| File your own Medicare claim | CMS-1490S | Provider refused, unable or not enrolled; allow 60 days |
| Understand an Advance Beneficiary Notice | CMS-R-131 | Option 1 keeps your appeal rights; Options 2 and 3 do not |
| Read a notice that Medicare coverage is ending | CMS-10123 | Ask for the immediate appeal by noon of the day before |
| Read the explanation that follows your appeal | CMS-10124 | Due by close of business the day the QIO notifies the provider |
| Certify a marriage for a spouse claim | SSA-3 | Every earlier marriage is listed; a divorced spouse needs 10 years |
| Order certified or itemized earnings records | SSA-7050 | $61.00, $96.00 certified, $35.00 certified yearly totals |
| Let a lender or employer verify your SSN | SSA-89 | One use; 90 days unless you write another number of days |
| Apply for a child’s benefit | SSA-4-BK | Under 18, to 19 as a student, or disabled before 22 |
| Apply for mother’s or father’s survivor benefit | SSA-5-BK | Child under 16 or disabled in your care; 75% rate |
| Elect a permanently reduced spouse’s benefit | SSA-25 | At full retirement age 67, starting at 62 pays 32.5% |
| Claim a payment owed after a death | SSA-1724 | Widow or widower first, then children, parents, the estate |
The money behind these forms is on the death benefit page, Medicare billing appeals and checking your earnings record.
Where the forms are published
Social Security forms are published at ssa.gov/forms, and the three CMS forms at cms.gov. Each page linked above was read from the agency’s own PDF on 2026-10-18 and says which edition it covers. Social Security’s help line is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong Medicare form. CMS-40B enrolls, CMS-L564 proves employer coverage, and CMS-1763 ends coverage.
- Treating SSA-44 as an appeal. It requests a new determination from a more recent tax year.
- Missing a short clock: 60 days to appeal, 12 months to withdraw a retirement application, 2 years for the lump-sum death payment.
- Filing from an old edition. Each form shows its edition date, and the agencies replace them.
Related: the Social Security guide, and the Medicare and IRMAA guide.
Sources
- SSA Publication 05-10043 (2026), Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf
- SSA Publication 05-10035 (2026), Retirement Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf
- SSA Publication 05-10084 (April 2026), Survivors Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf
- SSA Publication 05-10058 (March 2026), Your Right to Question the Decision Made on Your Claim: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10058.pdf
Read from the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services documents linked above on October 18, 2026. General information, not legal or benefits advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 is the right place to confirm anything consequential.