What Are Social Security Benefits?
Social Security benefits are monthly payments from the U.S. government that provide income support to eligible individuals. These payments can be used as verified income for your rental application.
Common types of Social Security income include:
Retirement Benefits - For individuals who have reached retirement age.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - For people unable to work due to a qualifying disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Needs-based income for individuals with limited income or resources.
Survivor or Dependent Benefits - Payments to spouses, children, or dependents of eligible recipients.
If your Social Security benefits are received monthly and are ongoing, they can be counted as stable income.
The Social Security Benefit Letter
The Social Security Benefit Letter, sometimes called an Award Letter or Benefit Verification Letter, is the best document to verify your Social Security income.
This letter is issued by the Social Security Administration and confirms:
Your name and Social Security claim number
The type of benefit you receive (e.g., SSDI, Retirement, SSI)
Your monthly payment amount
The start date or effective date of your benefits
Because it’s an official document from the SSA, providing the official benefit will help Two Dots verify your Social Security benefits.
How to Get Your Social Security Benefit Letter
You can easily access your benefit letter online.
To download it online:
Visit ssa.gov/myaccount.
Sign in to your my Social Security account (or create one if you don’t have it).
Go to “Benefit Verification Letter”.
Download your letter as a PDF.
It is important to provide the Social Security benefit letter downloaded directly from the SSA website for easier verification.
Other Documents You Can Use
If you don’t have your Benefit Letter available, or if you have only an image or scanned copy of your Social Security Benefit Letter, you must also submit one of the following:
Recent Bank Statements
Must show deposits labeled “SSA Benefit,” “Social Security,” or “U.S. Treasury.”
Must be a full digital PDF downloaded directly from the bank’s website or app.
A Bank link
A highly secure and efficient way to verify your Social Security benefits. We partner with Stripe.
Simply click “Connect my bank account” to proceed.
SSA Form 1099 or similar is not acceptable.
How to Submit Your Documents
When completing the income verification in Two Dots;
Choose “Benefits” → “Social Security benefits” from the income selection screen.
Upload your PDF Social Security benefit verification letter downloaded directly from the Social Security website using the invite link we sent, or click “Upload documents”.
Make sure your document is clear, legible, and up to date (within a month).
Ensure that your document is in PDF, original, and unaltered.
Make sure NOT to open the document from an editor or app before uploading to Two Dots. This will ensure that the document is verifiable.
If you’re having trouble uploading it, you can email us at applicant.support@twodots.net and attach your document.
You can also reach out to us by hitting “Support” → ”Send us a message”.
Please DO NOT upload images, scans, or screenshots of your income documents, as we are unable to verify these formats.
Helpful Tips
Make sure to submit the original digital PDF of your Social Security benefit verification letter downloaded directly from the SSA website or app.
Submitting both your Social Security Benefit Letter and your recent bank statement can help verify your income faster.
Connect your bank account showing the Social Security deposits for faster verification.