How to Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Navigating the process of applying for government benefits can be almost painful. In this article, I will show you walk you through the process of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits. I will tell you exactly what you need for your application, what the steps are to apply, and what you can expect when you apply.

Please note that this article is for applying as/for an adult.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY
   The first step to apply for Social Security Disability benefits is to understand what it means to be disabled. According to Social Security, you are disabled if you can prove that you cannot engage in "substantial employment" and that your condition has lasted or can be expected to last for a year.

2. GATHER YOUR INFORMATION
   Once you have determined that you fit their definition of disability, it's time to gather the materials you need. You're going to need:

   1. As much information as possible about any treatment you have ever received for your disability: names of doctors and treating nurses, phone numbers and addresses of the doctors/hospitals you have been treated at, dates seen, patient ID numbers, names of medications you are taking and have taken and the dosages for each, what those medications do to treat your problems, names of doctors who prescribed those medications, medical tests and lab results taken (or will be taking) and their results, and any medical records you have documenting your illness
   2. Complete work history for the past 15 years, including job titles, places and dates of employment, hours worked per week, job descriptions, and wages. This information is used to determine whether or not you can still engage in similar activities. (If you cannot, they will then determine whether or not they think you can do a different type work.) It might be easiest to think back and write down all the dates in one sitting to make the process run smoother.
   3. Educational background
   4. Important documents, for instance: birth certificate, social security card for yourself and children, military discharge papers, workers compensation papers
   5. Bank account information. This is used to make payments to you should you qualify for disability benefits.

3. FILL OUT THE APPLICATION
   Once you have gathered your medical documentation, it is time to fill out the application. There are actually two parts to this: the actual application and itself and the medical history report. (You must fill out both.) The easiest way to fill these out is to do so online.

   You can also apply for Social Security Disability by phone or in person. Step 6 of this article will give you instructions to set up your appointment, but you might want to look at the other steps so you'll know what to expect.

   To apply online, go to http://ssa.gov/disabilityonline and on the right side of the page, select the appropriate statement, check the box beside Privacy Act Statement, and press "Apply for Benefits".

   You will then be prompted through the application. You will fill out fields for Identification, General, Other Benefits, Remarks, Review, Submit, and then be directed to the Next Steps page.

4. FILL OUT THE DISABILITY AND WORK HISTORY REPORT
   Once you have filled out the application, you will move on to the Adult Disability and Work History Report. As with the application, you can complete this part online, over the phone, or in person. The link to fill it out online is: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3369/ee001-fe.jsp and the sections you will fill out are as follow: medical condition, medical records, work history, and education history.

5. PRINT AND SIGN
   After you have completes the application and the Work History report, you will be directed to print and sign a medical release form. This form will be sent to your doctor(s), giving them permission to communicate with the Social Security office about your claim.

6. INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY IN PERSON OR OVER PHONE
   If you would like to fill out your Social Security Disability application over the phone or in person, you must set up an appointment to do so. Contact Social Security at 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. A disability starter kit will be sent to you detailing what information you will need to have handy for your interview (see Steps 2-5). Your interview should take about an hour.

7. TURN IN DOCUMENTS QUICKLY
   Once you have submitted the initial paperwork, the rest goes a lot easier. You might receive a telephone call or be sent more forms to fill out requesting more information or clarification on things you said. Be sure to keep on top of these things! The quicker all the required information is sent in, the quicker the decision can be made!

8. MEDICAL EVALUATION
   If you do not have a lot of documentation for your illness(es), you might be asked to go to an examination with either a medical doctor (if your disability is physical) or a psychiatrist (if your disability is mental). You will receive paperwork in the mail with the doctor's name, address, and directions to the doctor's office, along with the time and date of your appointment. This appointment should take about an hour. Don't be late, because the person seeing you may be less likely to be sympathetic about your situation.

Tips & Warnings

• The majority of people who apply for disability benefits will be denied the first time. This is normal. Once you have been denied, it is time to file your appeal. More people are accepted when they appeal than when they first apply. If you are denied again, appeal again and you will go before an administrative judge. This is when most people are accepted for disability benefits. So hang in there.

Resources

• Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability