How to Apply for Disability in the State of Virginia

Being handicapped does not have to prevent you from having income.

Federal Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, provides monthly payments to people who have disabilities so severe that a medical professional has certified that they cannot work. This condition must be terminal or be expected to prevent them from working for at least one year. The condition can be physical or psychological. If you need this kind of assistance, you must meet specific qualifications. Once you have determined that you meet these criteria, you can go about the fairly simple process of applying. Virginia residents can apply at Social Security offices in that state.

Instructions

1. Establish your eligibility. To apply for disability benefits you must be 18 years old, live in the United States, you must have been diagnosed with a condition that qualifies for disability payments, and you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify. There are specific calculations to determine whether your work history is long enough, and the amount of work credit needed changes every year. The Social Security website has a guided tutorial for calculating your work credit.

2. Apply online. This allows you to apply right away without scheduling and waiting for an appointment. You will be guided through four steps: an adult disability checklist, an online application, an adult disability report, and an authorization to disclose information to the Social Security Administration.

3. Apply in person. Virginia helps residents apply for assistance at a number of field offices in the state. Visit the "Local Social Security Office Search" on the Social Security website and type in your ZIP code. You will be directed to the address, hours of operation, driving directions, and phone numbers of the office for your area. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment at which you can apply for services.

Tips & Warnings

• If your claim for disability is denied, you can hire an attorney who specializes in disability law to help you appeal the decision.

• Virginia law requires that if your disability resulted from a work injury,you first apply for workers' compensation benefits through your employer. After you receive that coverage, federal benefits might also be available.

References

• Disability Benefit Application Information
• Online Application
• Work History Calculator
• Disability Benefit Online Application
• Local Social Security Office Search

Resources

• Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
• Virginia Disability Service Agencies