Filing Social Security Disability Forms

Applying for Social Security disability benefits requires completing a variety of different forms. Social Security will help you complete the forms (or fill them out for you) if you apply in person or online. The disability forms involved in a typical application for Social Security benefits are:

• SSA-16-BK, Application for Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI only)
• SSA-8000-BK, Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI only)
• SSA-3368-BK, Adult Disability Report
• SSA-3369-BK, Work History Report, and
• SSA-827-BK, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration.

How Do I Get the SSDI and SSI Disability Forms?

SSI. If this is the first time you're applying for SSI, you've never been married, and you're not applying on behalf of a child, you can file for SSI online. Otherwise, you have to get the SSI application (SSA-8000-BK) directly from the Social Security Administration (SSA). That means you'll have to set up a phone or in-person interview appointment with Social Security to complete it. You can do this by calling the national Social Security hotline at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or contacting your local Social Security office (by phone or in person).

SSDI. Where can you get the Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) forms? You can download the SSDI application, the Adult Disability Report (also called the "function report"), and the Work History Report from Social Security’s website. You also have the option to skip some of the paper disability forms and apply for SSDI online.

If you're going to fill out the disability forms yourself, make sure you're using a current version of the form. Each form should have a revision date in the bottom left-hand corner. If the revision date isn’t within the last year or two, or you're unsure if you have the correct form, contact your local Social Security office.

Can I Still Fill Out the Forms on Paper?

Yes, you can fill out the Social Security forms on paper if you'd like. You’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Obtain the disability forms you need (see above).
2. Complete each form neatly.
3. Drop off the forms at your local Social Security field office.

If you're filling out the forms by hand, print your responses neatly. Your answers must be legible. You should complete the disability forms using either black or blue ink.

Some Social Security offices might require you to go into the office so that a field representative can record your answers on the application form. These offices won’t give you a form to complete at home.

Who Can Help Me Complete the Disability Forms?

You can have a friend or family member assist you in completing the disability forms, but make sure that all of the questions are answered as if you (the person applying for the disability benefits) are answering the questions. And note that you must fill out the Adult Disability Report form yourself—your doctor shouldn’t complete it for you.

Can you ask your doctor to help you complete any of the disability forms? Doctors are generally too busy to help you fill out your disability application. But you should ask your doctor (or psychologist) to fill out a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form (also called a medical statement) for you. Your doctor’s RFC is a critical part of your disability claim.

If you'd like professional help with your application, you can try to arrange a consultation with a disability lawyer or advocacy form. An SSDI lawyer or firm can help you complete your initial application for benefits in a way that's accurate but persuasive.

Applicants who complete their disability forms on their own sometimes make mistakes that are difficult for their attorneys to undo—from underestimating their physical limitations to overestimating their prior work responsibilities. Plus, your lawyer or advocate can help you choose a disability onset date that holds up to scrutiny while maximizing your benefits. (Learn more about getting help completing your disability forms.)

Should I Sign the Medical Records Authorization (Form SSA-827)?

You should be aware that completing Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration, will give Social Security the right to retrieve all pertinent medical and educational records that could support (or undermine) the validity of your claim for disability benefits. This release form is a blanket authorization that will help disability claims examiners evaluate whether or not you still have the ability to perform job-related tasks, given your current medical condition. Social Security won’t process your claim unless you sign this form.

Fortunately, filling out the form is very simple and requires little input from you. You only need to provide your name, Social Security number, birthday, and contact information (phone number and mailing address). You (or a witness) will need to sign the form, which tells the agency that you understand that you're allowing them to contact your medical providers and request your records from them. Parents of minor children, guardians, and personal representatives can sign Form SSA-827 on behalf of a disability applicant who is unable to sign themselves. 

If you file online, you can either print out and send this form in or sign it electronically. The authorization expires 12 months after the date that it's signed, so depending on how long your disability claim takes to decide, you may have to sign multiple release forms.

What Forms Do I Need to Fill Out Besides the Application?

Part of the disability application process is filling out the Adult Disability Report (Form SSA-3368-BK) and the Work History Report (Form SSA-3369-BK). When completing these forms, be sure to include all details about your prior job duties in the work history section, including how much you were required to:

• walk
• stand
• sit
• lift
• kneel
• stoop, and
• any other physical requirements of the job (such as typing, bending, or climbing ladders).

If you apply for SSDI online, you'll fill out the "Work History Report" and "Adult Disability Report" with the main part of the application. For more information on filing, see our article on how to file an application for disability.

Should I Fill Out the Disability Forms on Paper or Online?

For some people, applying online can be the quickest way to get the disability process started. Others prefer to get help over the phone or in person. For more information, read our article on the easiest way to apply for Social Security disability benefits.