How to Apply for Disability

How to apply for SSDI and disability income.

If you become seriously ill or injured you may qualify for private disability income and/or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Typically, however, if private insurance pays above or beyond what SSDI pays, you will not receive both. To apply for disability income, you will need to meet certain criteria set out by the insuring organization or policy.

Things You'll Need

• Medical records
• Journal

Instructions

1. 

   Request the necessary disability application forms from both private insurance and Social Security, if applicable, as early as possible. Even if you're unsure about applying, explore your options and familiarize yourself with the disability forms and requirements.

2. Obtain your doctor's verbal agreement or statement that you are unable to work and an estimate of the expected minimum length of disability. He may or may not commit to this, depending on the nature of the condition(s). Most disability applications ask if a physician has told that you are unable to work. Therefore, an affirmative answer is helpful.

3. Make it clear to your doctor that you intend to apply for disability. Discuss any related issues such as experience with patients that experience similar disability and their outcome.

4. Pick a lead doctor to serve as your advocate if possible. Some doctors work well with disability insurance, offering additional input and letters, while others barely comply with requests. Your primary care physician may be the best choice, especially if you were under his care prior to the debilitating condition(s).

5. Provide the lead physician with copies of your other medical records and ensure that he is aware of your other medical treatments.

6. 

   Keep a detailed journal of your daily activities, limitations and symptoms. You may need to thoroughly explain how your illness prevents you from gainful employment. Be able to give concrete examples such as, "I can walk 20 steps before resting," or "I can perform basic grooming and prepare light meals but after an hour (type of) pain or fatigue becomes severe."

7. 

   List all medications you are taking and the side effects of each if this applies to the disabling nature of your condition.

8. Don't exaggerate or minimize limitations. It is important when you apply for disability to include all factors, both physical and mental limitations, that affect your ability to function. Some items may seem awkward to describe, but if your disability is not on an approved list of automatic disability awards, you may may turned down due to misunderstanding, miscommunication or vagueness.

Tips & Warnings

• Get someone to help you as you apply for disability income, if needed.

• Be very thorough yet avoid rambling on the application - make them understand your daily limitations.

• Be prepared to be turned down on first application as a higher percentage of applicants are approved upon informal appeal. A disability lawyer is often not needed as long as medical evidence exists to support your claims and you can advocate for yourself.

• A disability lawyer may save approval time and should be considered if your claim is rejected.