To obtain a Social Security Number you need to complete and submit Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) to your local Social Security office and submit certain documents. In order to submit an application to obtain benefits the claimant must be entitled to retirement insurance benefits. He must be at least sixty two years old and fully insured, and he must have filed an application for retirement insurance benefits. If a claimant is entitled to disability insurance benefits before retirement age the disability benefits will end and the retirement insurance benefit will automatically begin without need for additional application submissions.