How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?

There are 3 ways to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You can apply in person, online, or by phone. To apply in person, you need to visit your local Social Security Administration office. To apply online, you can visit the Social Security Administration web site (http://www.socialsecurity.gov). To apply by phone, you can call 1-800-772-1213 (deaf and hard of hearing, call TTY number: 1-800-325-0778).

The first step in applying for Social Security Disability or SSI is selecting if the disabled person is a child (under age 18) or an adult (age 18 or over).

Child (under age 18)
The Social Security Administration can provide you with a Child Disability Starter Kit. This kit answers common questions about applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for children, and includes a worksheet that will help you gather the information you need. After you review the starter kit, you should contact Social Security right away (either by phone of in person) to find out whether the income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits, and to start the SSI application process. You will also need to fill out the Child Disability Report which includes a form that gives the child’s doctor permission to send information about the disability to the Social Security Administration.

Adult (age 18 or over)
The Social Security Administration can provide you with an Adult Disability Starter Kit. This kit answers common questions about applying for benefits and includes a worksheet that will help you gather the information you need. After reviewing the starter kit, you will need to fill out the application (online, in person or over the phone). You will also need to fill out the Adult Disability Report which includes a form that gives your doctor permission to send information about your disability to the Social Security Administration.

When you apply for Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you will need to provide all of your medical information which includes the names, addresses and phone numbers for your doctors, hospitals and clinics, the dates of your visits and any medication you are on. Some of the other information you will be asked to submit includes your birth certificate (and proof of citizenship or legal residency if born in another country), W-2 or federal tax return from last year, military discharge papers (if you were in the service), Workers comp information (if applicable), checking and savings account numbers, and the jobs you have had for the past 15 years.

After you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or SSI, you must wait 3-6 months for your case to be examined and a decision to be made. If your initial application is denied, you can submit a reconsideration appeal. If you are still denied after the reconsideration phase, you can request a Judicial Hearing, where a judge will hear your case and make a decision. Applying for SSDI or SSI can be a very long and stressful process; you may want to consider the services of Social Security Disability Attorney.