How to Collect Social Security Disability Benefits
The application process for getting disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is a long and often slow process. The exact amount of time it takes from the point of submitting the application to the point of actually receiving benefits varies from case to case. Even though it may take some time to start receiving payments, you will automatically receive back payments going all the way back to the date of your original application once your application is approved.
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Instructions
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Go to the official Social Security Administration website and click "Disability Benefits."
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Click to review the "Adult Disability Checklist" and make sure you have all the information necessary to apply for disability benefits. For the disability application, you'll need your military discharge information, W-2's from the last year, Social Security numbers of your spouse and children and your banking information if you want direct deposit. For the disability report, you'll need contact information for someone knowledgeable about your medical condition, information from your medical records, information on your medications along with the prescribing doctor, information regarding medical tests, employment history for your last five jobs and information about any insurance or workers' compensation claims.
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Click to fill out the "Online Disability Benefit Application."
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Answer the questions asking for whom you're applying, whether you're visually impaired, and whether you've read the privacy act statement. Click "Apply For Benefits."
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Fill out the applicant identification and click "Next." This form will ask for your name, social security number, gender, date of birth, whether you've been able to work in the last 14 months and if you're blind.
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Fill out the general form and click "Next." This form will ask you for information about your family, military history, earnings and your bank account information if you want to sign up for direct deposit.
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Fill out the other benefits form and click "Next." This form will ask you if you've recently applied for Supplemental Security Income, Medicare or Social Security benefits.
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Fill out the remarks form and click "Next." This form will allow you to add any additional information you feel will help your case that wasn't already included on the application.
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Review the information you've submitted and click "Next."
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Click "Submit."
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Click to fill out the "Adult Disability Report."
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Select that you've read the privacy statement and click "Start Report."
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Fill out the information required in the report and click "Submit." This form will ask for information regarding personal identifying information, prior applications, details of disability condition, contact information from someone who knows about your disability and can help your case, medical records, medications and who prescribed them, medical testing history, employment history with last five jobs, and insurance or workers' compensation claims.
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Print the "Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration" form. This is a release form giving the Social Security Administration the right to obtain records about your medical history, educational background and employment history. Sign the form and mail it to your local Social Security office. If you don't know where your local office is located, you can use the local office search locator on the SSA's website.
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Wait for your application to be approved. Upon approval, the Social Security Administration will automatically back-pay you any money that is due to you.
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Tips & Warnings
The sooner you complete the application process, the sooner you will begin receiving benefits.
Providing false information constitutes fraud and is punishable by the law.
References
Resources
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