How to Apply for Social Security Disability

To apply for Social Security disability or SSI disability benefits is actually very simple.

Call the Nearest SS Office

Just call the Social Security Office nearest you and tell them you need to file a social security disability or SSI claim. An appointment will be set up to conduct an interview in person, or over the phone, whichever is more convenient.

The Claims Representative assigned to your case (not to be confused with a claimant's representative who is either an attorney or non attorney and specializes in the representation of SSDI and SSI disability claims) will provide answers to all your questions and will handle the paperwork needed to send your claim to DDS (Disability Determination Services, where the medical decision on the case will be made).

The Claims Rep will also determine the type of disability program you are potentially eligible to draw ongoing and past due benefits from. Benefits can be drawn from either social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI).

Claim Determinations

Determinations regarding program eligibility are based on an individual's work history, or lack of in the case of children.

In some cases, though, a claimant will have a concurrent social security disability claim and will be eligible to receive benefits in both programs. Typically, this happens when an individual's work history makes them eligible for SSD (in other words, they have "insured status"), but at a low benefit amount.

The purpose of a concurrent disability claim, of course, is to ensure that a claimant receives a minimum monthly benefit amount. More specifically, an individual approved for concurrent benefits will receive a total monthly benefit at least equal to the full monthly ssi benefit amount (This amount is generally adjusted each year and in 2012 is $698).