How to Know If You're Approved for Disability

Getting proof of approved disability can take time.

Social Security disability provides a predictable monthly income in the event that you are physically unable to work. Applying for Social Security disability generally requires that you provide proof of your income and inability to work to an assigned Social Security Administration (SSA) representative. SSA reviews your documentation and makes a call about whether to approve your application for benefits. If you don't hear from SSA after applying, you can check the status of your application yourself.

Online Status Checking

The Social Security Administration permits you to check your disability status on their website, ssa.gov. Under the "disability" tab, there is a button (link) to check your application status. To use this option, you'll need to have your Social Security number and application confirmation number on hand. Once you enter this information, follow the prompts. This option is quick and does not require you to leave the comfort of your own home.

Phone Call

Occasionally, people have trouble with the online status checker, or the SSA database encounters technical difficulties. In these cases, you still can call your local SSA representative at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). The representative can use alternative databases to retrieve your information or check your status with a physical retrieval of your file. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

Approval Letter

After SSA approves your disability application, they send an approval letter both to you and your SSA representative. Waiting for a letter in the mail isn't ideal, since it can take up to a month for SSA to process your approval letter after they process your application. However, once you receive it, you have proof in writing of what your status is and when SSA estimates your benefits will begin. If SSA fails to make payments as indicated in the letter, the letter gives you the ability to make a claim for back funds.

Considerations

Probably the easiest way to check your disability status is through the SSA website. This is because you obtain nearly instant results. If you call a representative, you get to talk to a real person, but because of the volume of calls SSA receives daily, this is time consuming -- a ten minute hold time is not unusual. There is little you can do to speed up the processing of your approval letter. If you need your status because of rent or other benefit issues, the best thing to do is to give lenders and creditors your date of application and indicate to them that the entire application process (including hearings) takes a maximum of 18 months. You have about a 70 to 75 percent chance of approval statistically if you go through the whole process, according to the Social Security and Disability Resource Center. In a pinch, this may convince creditors and lenders to provide you some leniency, provided you have proof of your application.

References

• Social Security Administration: Disability
• The Social Security and Disability Resource Center: Social Security Disability Approval
• The Social Security and Disability Center: Receive an Approval for Social Security Disability