Who Can Get Disability Benefits
Applying For Disability Benefits
Qualifying for Retirement Benefits
There are two ways that you can apply for disability benefits.
You can:
1. Fill out our form and have a Social Security Specialist or Advocate assist you in filing for
disability; or
2. Contact your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your
claim over the telephone. The disability claims interview lasts about one hour. If you schedule
an appointment, a Disability Starter Kit will be mailed to you. The Disability Starter Kit will help
you get ready for your disability claims interview.
When should I apply and what information do I need?
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits (three to five months). To apply for disability benefits, you will need to complete an application for Social Security Benefits and the Disability Report. You also can print the Disability Report, complete it and return it to your local Social Security office. For faster service you may want to have one of our Social Security Specialist help in the filing process. This is some of the information that will be needed to get the process started.
The information they need includes:
· Your Social Security number;
· Your birth or baptismal certificate;
· Names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics
that took care of you and dates of your visits;
· Names and dosage of all the medicine you take;
· 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
· A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-
employed, your federal tax return for the past year.
In addition to the basic application for disability benefits, there are other forms you will need to fill out. One form collects information about your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work. Other forms give doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals who have treated you permission to send us information about your medical condition.
Do not delay applying for benefits if you cannot get all of this information together quickly. Let us help by having a Social Security Specialist in your area help in the filing process.
Get a Free, No Obligation Evaluation Today
