Claims for disability benefits take more time to process than other types of Social Security claims -- from 3 to 5 months.
You can help shorten the process by having certain information and documents with you when you apply, and by helping us get any other medical evidence you need to show that you are disabled.
Here is the kind of information you should have:
Information About You
- Your Social Security number and proof of your age;
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, caseworkers, hospitals, and clinics that took care of you and the dates of your visits;
- Names and dosages of all the medications you are taking;
- Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers, that you already have in your possession;
- Laboratory and test results;
- A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did; and
- Your most recent W-2 form or, if you were self-employed, a copy of your federal tax return.
Information About Family Members
- Social Security numbers and proof of age for each family member who may qualify for benefits; and
- Proof of marriage, if your spouse is applying for benefits, as well as dates of prior marriages if applicable.
Important: The documents you may need to show us must be original documents or copies certified by the issuing office. You can mail or bring them to Social Security. We will make photocopies and return your original documents.
If you don't have all the documents you need, don't delay filing for benefits. We will help you get the information you need.
More Help For Filing Your Claim
Our Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Starter kits are available in English or Spanish for adults and children under age 18.
The online Application for Benefits also includes links to information that will help you complete the form.
Find Out if You Qualify
FREE HELP: GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The national denial rate is quite high at 65%, one big reason for this is that many people do not get representation until they have been denied.
Many lawyers are partly to blame for this since it is very common for someone looking for a lawyer at application level for their SSDI or SSI claim to be told to "apply and call back when you are denied". Some lawyers(not all) do this because an attorney's fee is based on past due benefits and if the lawyer wins a case at application they feel the fee does not cover the work involved in handling a case at this level.
This approach should be avoided because it is very important that the case be handled properly from the beginning, not only to assure you have the best chance to win at application, but also to ensure that an application that was not properly done does not come back to haunt you at a later stage in the process. Approval rates are much higher at the initial application level.
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