Social Security Disability and SSI ApplicationsFiling a Social Security Disability Application - How to File & the Information that is Needed by SSA This page discusses when to file for disability, important points to keep in mind and the kind of information needed by SSA. The section "How do you file for Social Security Disability or SSI?" is in the center of the page. What medical conditions can you apply for disability for? You may apply for Social Security Disability for any medical condition (or conditions) that meet the following criteria. What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? What happens after your case gets assigned to a disability assigner? Almost immediately, the disability examiner will begin to request your medical records from the various medical treatment sources you listed on your disability claim. Filing an Application for Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI - Step by Step Filing for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration presupposes that your disabling condition is both severe and completely disabling. What does SSA consider to be completely disabling? Where do I go to apply for disability? If you wish to do a phone disability application, you should contact your local Social Security office to set up an appointment. What Happens When You File an SSI or Social Security Disability Application? Generally, you file a Social Security application or SSI application with a claims representative either in person at your local Social Security office or through a telephone interview. Regardless of the format chosen, the claims representative will ask questions about the following. What happens after I file my disability claim with Social Security? Once the case is at DDS, it will be assigned to a disability examiner and that individual will immediately start ordering your medical history records and will evaluate them as they begin to arrive. After a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim has been taken and is Pending If you get a letter stating that you must go to an examination, this will be something known as a CE, or consultative examination. How Often Does Social Security Approve Disability The First Time You Apply? Reconsideration appeals have an even less likelihood of resulting in an approved disability claim, because this appeal level only involves a review by another disability examiner at the same state disability processing agency. How do you find out if a Social Security Disability claim has been approved or even denied? Just a quick reminder: decisional notices are just one of several reasons that you should keep Social Security appraised of your current mailing address. Social Security Disability Status Why it's important to check the status of your claim'and what can potentially happen if you don't. If you get denied on a disability application do you have to file a new application? Should you immediately file a new application if your current application is denied? In nearly all cases no. If Social Security Turns Down My Case Can I apply For Disability A Second Time? An individual can apply for disability as many times as they wish to apply. However, is it best to reapply for disability if your initial disability claim is denied? What Happens When You File A Second SSA Disability Claim? The goal in filing a disability claim is to win your disability benefits, and you cannot do that if you are constantly filing initial disability claims that are denied. Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI You may wish to speak with your treating physician, to get an idea as to whether or not the doctor will be supportive of your disability claim. Tips for Filing for disability The basic rule is simply that if a person's limitations (physical, or mental, or both) make it impossible to either work, or work and earn a substantial and gainful income, they should seriously consider putting in a claim for disability benefits. Applying for Disability - What are the Rules and Guidelines when you Apply? There are two ways of addressing this question. One is to examine the process that the social security administration uses to determine eligibility when you apply for SSDI (Social Security Disability insurance) or SSI (supplemental security income) benefits. Additional pages How the Decision on a Disability Application or Appeal Under SSDI or SSI is Made All disability claims begin with the Social Security office. However, decisions on disability claims are not made at the Social Security office, but, instead, at a state agency that has been assigned this responsibility. It is for this reason that all new disability claims are transferred to DDS (disability determination services) and assigned to a case processing specialist known as a disability examiner. What is the Difference Between Filing A New Disability Claim And Filing A Disability Appeal? Claimants should consider the time factor when considering whether to file an appeal of a denied claim, or deciding to start over with a brand new claim. It takes far more time on the disability applicant's part to file a new disability claim than it takes to file an appeal of a disability denial. What if you Move out of State after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI? You can move after you've started an application for disability, usually with no negative effects. As with most situations involving changes in your contact information (or work activity), you'll want to notify social security as soon as possible. What is the SSI and Social Security Disability Application Wait Time? Generally, your SSI disability claim (or Social Security Disability claim) will be processed in roughly one hundred days or less. This is just an estimate of the time needed for processing your disability claim. Social Security Disability Application Online The online disability process only allows an individual to file for Social Security Disability not Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI). How to apply for Social Security Disability SSI benefits for children Initiating the application process for disability benefits for children (note: minor-age children actually file under title 16, which is the SSI, or supplemental security income, program) is identical to the process used to begin to claims for adults. If I Get Denied Twice on application For SSD or SSI Disability, What Do I Do? So many disability claimants give up and do not file an appeal only to find themselves starting the disability process all over again at a future date. Non-medical reasons for a Social Security Disability Application getting Denied When an individual applies for SSDI disability benefits with Social Security, their disability application has a possibility of being denied without the case ever being evaluated by a disability examiner and without ever receiving a medical determination. Medical reasons for a Social Security Disability Application getting Denied All disability cases are decided, fairly or unfairly, on the basis of medical evidence. The more you have, the more your disability examiner must consider when making his or her determination, and the more likely you are to be approved for benefits. Application Requirements For Disability - What Do I Need To Start The Claim? Any individual who wishes to file for disability, through either the Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income disability programs, must, in order to qualify for benefits, be able to meet the social security administration's definition of disability. What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability? Unlike SSD, the SSI program requires applicants to also prove financial need. Even if an applicant is judged to be severely impaired and unable to work, he cannot collect SSI unless his total assets are valued at no more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). The difference between an Application for disability and a Social Security Reconsideration? The process that is conducted on a request for reconsideration appeal is largely the same. This is because the disability evaluation process is simply what it is, and, therefore, is essentially handled the same regardless of the level of your claim. What kind of Final Decision can I receive on my Disability Application? If an approval occurs, you will be informed of the amount of your ongoing monthly benefit payments, how much you may receive in back pay, and when your benefits may commence. How many cases are approved at the Disability Application level? National statistics indicate that about 30 out of every hundred Social Security Disability and SSI claims are approved at the initial claim's level. The SSD, Social Security Disability Date of Application People who apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or SSI should do so as soon as it becomes apparent that their medical condition is beginning to have a negative impact on their work performance. Why? Because the date you file an application will affect the amount of back pay that you are entitled to receive. More on the following topics here: The Application for Social Security Disability or SSI About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. |
