You can make the filing process go more smoothly by gathering the information you'll need to fill out the application ahead of time.
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Many people find it convenient to apply online for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The Social Security Administration has expanded access to its online application portal in recent years, meaning adults who haven't filed for SSI before and who aren't married can now complete the entire application process online.
Although filing online should be fairly straightforward, it can also be time consuming. Fortunately, you'll be given a "re-entry" number when you begin that you can use to stop and start the application at your leisure, so you don't have to finish it right away. That said, it's usually a good idea to gather some of the most important information you'll need to complete the application so that you have it with you as you proceed.
Who Can Apply for Disability Online?
Adults who are applying for SSDI and never-married adults applying for SSI for the first time can file for benefits online. Claimants who've filed for SSI before or who are married, divorced, or widowed can't apply for SSI online. You'll have to file over the phone at 800-772-123 or go to your local Social Security field office in person.
What You Need Before You Apply for Disability Online
Be ready with information about your identity, personal finances, work history, and medical providers. (If you're missing any of the information, you can either save the application and return to it later, or you can provide the information to Social Security at a later date.) Below is a chart showing the specific information you'll need when completing the online application.
How to Save Your Application and Come Back Later
As soon as you start the online application process, you'll be assigned a "re-entry" number. Keep track of this number—if you need to stop the application process and return to it later, you'll need it to access your online application. You'll also need your re-entry number to track the status of your application, whether online or by calling the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you lose your re-entry number, the SSA has no way to retrieve it.
Once you start your application, you must sign and submit it to the SSA within six months or you'll have to start over again. As long as you submit the signed application within the six-month time frame, the date you began the application can be used as your official application date.
How to Answer Social Security's Questions
You'll need to tell the SSA some basic facts about your place of birth, military service, employment record, and work history.
Specify Your Place of Birth and Citizenship
If you were born in one of the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or Northern Mariana Islands, choose "United States or U.S. Territory" when you state your place of birth. If you were born in any other place than those listed above, select “Other.” Names of countries can change over time, so select the name of your country as it was when you were born. For example, if you were born in the former Soviet Union, select that name from the list.
If you're a U.S. citizen, you must mention whether you are a U.S. citizen born inside the U.S., a U.S. citizen born outside the U.S., or a naturalized citizen. Social Security may ask you to prove your citizenship or otherwise show you are eligible for benefits. Even if you're not a citizen, you may still be eligible. (Learn more in our article on immigrants and disability benefits.)
Give Your Military Service Details (If Applicable)
The online application will ask if you were in military service prior to 1968. You should answer “yes” to the question about military service if you served prior to 1968 in Active Duty, Active Duty for Training, or in the Reserves in any of the following branches. Provide the name of the branch of the military you served in, your dates of service, your current status, and your position. You'll also need to provide information about any benefits you receive, or are eligible to receive, from your military service or from a civilian federal agency.
Submit Your Bank Account Number
Social Security now requires most disability recipients to have a bank account to allow for direct deposit of benefits. If you don’t have an account, call the SSA to see if there are any options for you, including using a DirectExpress debit card or getting an exemption from the Department of the Treasury. You can still complete the application online.
Review Your Social Security Earnings Statement and Report Your Financial Situation
The SSA will ask whether you agree with your most recent Social Security earnings statement. If you don’t have a copy, you can continue to the next section. However, before you submit the application, make sure you request a copy from the SSA so you can review it. You can also access your statement online, but you will need to create a Social Security account.
If you've received any money from your employer since you last worked, you must provide the SSA with the amount. You must also tell the agency if you expect to receive any money in the future from your employer, and how much the payments will be. In both cases, you'll need to describe the payment as sick pay, vacation pay, or other. You also have to let Social Security know if you provide at least half of the support for one or both parents, as well as their contact information.
Explain Why Your Medical Condition Keeps You From Working
The online application will ask about the medical conditions that keep you from working. It's important that you list every medical condition that you suffer from because the SSA will consider the combined effect of all your impairments on your ability to work (see our article on how to win your claim using a combination of impairments). In addition, some illnesses qualify for automatic approval (see our article on winning your claim using a “listing”).
You'll need to authorize the release of your medical records to Social Security. Select "yes" to allow the SSA to collect documents from your medical providers on your behalf.
Use the Remarks Section If Necessary
The SSA provides an area at the end of the application for you to provide any additional remarks you may have that you think are helpful. For example, you may need to provide an explanation if you estimated your employment dates or income amounts. You don't need to complete this section if you don't have anything additional to add, but some people use this section to describe how their life has changed since they became disabled (if you do add comments here, keep them brief and to the point).
Should You Get Help Applying for Disability?
Getting legal help at the initial application stage can give you a better shot at getting benefits in just three or four months, rather than being denied and having to go to an appeal hearing a year later. Unfortunately, many law firms won't take a disability case until you get denied. But a disability advocacy firm will generally help you fill out the application and stay with you throughout the claims process. They can:
- help you avoid mistakes in the online application
- arrange for you to get the proper medical tests
- walk you through all the steps in the process
- help you fill out all the forms you’ll encounter
- make sure you cover all the required criteria and have medical evidence to support your claim, and
- handle the filing for you.
Most importantly, they can help you accurately but persuasively fill in the details about your disability onset date, your physical limitations, and your prior work responsibilities. If you do decide to get professional help with your application, you probably want to choose a firm with disability lawyers who can represent you if you get denied and have to go to a hearing. Disability representatives get paid only if you win benefits and many offer free consultations, so there's little risk in asking around in order to find a lawyer who is a good match.
