How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits Today?

If you suffer from a medical condition that leaves you unable to work and need financial assistance, disability benefits may be available. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not an agency that grants benefits easily, so knowing how to apply for social security disability benefits is essential.

Social Security Disability is a government program that helps those who are physically or mentally unable to work. So what should you know about Social Security Disability? These tips will help you get on the right path when it comes time to apply.

What Is the Social Security Disability Program?

The Social Security Disability Program is a federal government program that provides financial assistance to people who cannot work due to a physical or mental disability. The program also provides benefits to eligible family members of the disabled person.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the program and determines if you are eligible for benefits. To become eligible, you must have worked in covered employment, paid Social Security taxes, and met specific criteria related to the type of disability you have.

The disability program includes Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Generally, if you have worked a certain number of years and paid into the system, you will be eligible for some type of benefit from the SSA.

What You Need to Apply for SSDI or SSI Benefits

You’ll need to provide a lot of information to apply for Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here are the documents you should gather beforehand.

Social Security Number

Before you can apply for either benefit, you need to have a Social Security number. If you don’t know your Social Security number, you can contact the Social Security Administration for assistance.

Medical Records

You must provide medical records that document your disability and show that it meets one of the SSA’s definitions. The SSA defines disability as “the condition of being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”

Laboratory and Test Results

If you have been diagnosed with a disability, you must submit copies of all medical reports and diagnostic test results in your possession. These documents typically include any blood tests, radiology, CAT scans, or MRIs performed by a doctor or other medical provider. If you are filing for SSI benefits, you should include any documentation relating to your current condition, such as hospital records, doctor notes, and prescriptions.

Doctors, Clinics, and Hospitals’ Names and Addresses

You will be required to provide the names and addresses of all doctors and clinics treating you and all hospitals where you have received treatment during this time. These providers may include psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and others who may have treated you.

Names of All Medications You Are Taking

The SSA uses this information to evaluate whether you are disabled based on an impairment that could affect your ability to work. They also use this information when determining whether any medical treatments could improve your condition enough for you to be able to work again.

Names of Your Employers and Job Duties for the Last 15 Years

If you are applying for SSDI, the Social Security Administration may also need additional information regarding your work history and recent earnings. You must report this information even if your income was small or irregular because it will be used to calculate how much money you can expect to receive each month in disability payments.

How SSA Decides if You Have a Qualifying Disability

• Are you working?
• Is your condition “severe”?
• Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
• Can you do the work you did previously?
• Can you do any other type of work?

Special Situations When Applying for SSDI or SSI Benefits

• Special Rules for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
• Benefits for Widows or Widowers with Disabilities
• Benefits for Children with Disabilities
• Adults with a Disability that Began Before Age 22

What if the Child Is Already Receiving SSI or Disability Benefits on Their Record and Turns 18?

If your child is receiving SSI benefits and turns 18, they will still receive the same amount of money. However, your child will now have to qualify for SSI as an independent adult. This means that they must meet all of the criteria for disability and be able to show that they have no income from employment.

The good news is that programs are available to help young adults transition from receiving SSI to becoming self-sufficient. These programs can include job training, education, and financial assistance.

What Happens if the DAC Gets Married?

Most people who receive DAC benefits do not have an income or assets that put them over the limit for SSI. However, as soon as they marry, their spouse’s income and assets are counted in determining eligibility. If the couple has too much money or other assets, they may lose their benefits.

If the marriage occurs while the recipient is receiving DAC benefits, they will lose their monthly stipend, Medicare coverage, and Medicaid eligibility.

How to Apply Apply for SSDI or SSI Benefits

Here’s how to apply for SSDI or SSI:

Online

You can submit your application online using the SSA’s national website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline/. If you’re not comfortable with computers or are visually impaired, you can submit your application in other ways. For example, you can ask someone else to help you fill out the form and submit it on your behalf. The SSA will send a letter confirming that it received your application within two weeks of receiving it at its office.

Here are the steps:

1. To begin your application for benefits, go to our Apply for Benefits page and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click NEXT.
2. On that page, review the “Getting Ready” section and ensure you have all of the information necessary to apply.
3. Select “Start A New Application.”
4. You will be asked a few questions about who is filling out the application.
5. You will then be able to sign in to your “personal my Social Security account“, or you will be prompted to create one.
6. Complete the application.

Mailing Your Documents

When you use the mail to apply, be sure to include your Social Security number so that it can be matched with the correct application.

When mailing your documents, do not write anything on the original sheets. Instead, write down each your Social Security numbers on a separate piece of paper and include it in the envelope with all other correspondence.

By phone

You can call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) during regular business hours to get information about applying for SSDI or SSI benefits by phone and then apply online or by mail if needed.

In-person

If you have not yet applied for benefits, you can do so in person at a local Social Security office. Find your nearest office; You’ll need to bring all the required documentation.

Conclusion On Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits:

As you can see, applying for disability benefits with the SSA is no small task. The process can be confusing, and determining if you will qualify under the SSA’s definition of “disability” is even more complicated.

The best thing to do is to consult a qualified disability attorney who can help you determine whether or not you are genuinely disabled. This way, you won’t waste your time or resources on a claim that won’t succeed.