How To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits

Earn Ssa Work Credits In Some Countries

You may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your work credits from another country. The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits.

What Is Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability is an insurance policy paid for with automatic deductions from our paychecks. The deductions are for social security taxes , and they are paid to the U.S. Social Security Administration . Anyone who receives social security disability benefits is getting back what was paid for during employment. Many dont realize that disability benefits are not handouts at all but, rather, payments on an insurance claim.

Benefits For People With Disabilities

The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

pays benefits based on financial need.

When you apply for either program, we will collect medical and other information from you and make a decision about whether or not you meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Periodically, we will need updated information about your condition. You may receive a Disability Update Report . This form can now be completed online.

Use the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool to find out which programs may be able to pay you benefits.

If your application has recently been denied, the Internet Appeal is a starting point to request a review of our decision about your eligibility for disability benefits.

If your application is denied for:

Also Check: Why Are Medicare Benefits Different By Zip Code

If Your Application Is Denied

After we review your application and the information you provided, we may decide you do not meet the qualifications for disability benefits.

If you disagree with our decision, you have the right to ask us to look at your application again. The notice you receive from us that says you don’t qualify will explain how to appeal our decision and the time period in which you must make the request.

If we decide you don’t qualify:

• Because you are not disabled under our rules, you can appeal our decision online.

  The online disability report will ask you for updated information about your medical condition and any treatment, tests, or doctor visits since we made our decision.

Number Of Credits Needed For Disability Benefits

To be eligible for disability benefits, you must meet a recent work test and a duration work test.

The number of credits necessary to meet the recent work test depends on your age. The rules are as follows:

• Before age 24 – You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.
• Age 24 to 31 In general, you may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time your disability began. As a general example, if you develop a disability at age 27, you would need 3 years of work out of the past 6 years .
• Age 31 or older – In general, you must have at least 20 credits in the 10-year period immediately before your disability began.

The following table shows how many years of work credits you need to meet the duration of work test based on your age when your disability began. For the duration of work test, your work does not have to fall within a certain period. The table only provides an estimate of how many work credits you need. It does not cover all situations. If you are statutorily blind, you must only meet the duration of work test. When statutory blindness is involved, there is not a recent work test requirement.

NOTE: This table is an estimate only and does not cover all situations

You May Like: What Are The Maximum Social Security Benefits

What Happens If The Dac Gets Married

If the child receives benefits as a DAC, the benefits generally end if they get married. However, some marriages are considered protected.

The rules vary depending on the situation. Contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the benefits can continue.

1-800-772-1213

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.

How To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits

On Behalf of The Disability Law Office of Jeffrey S. Lichtman, LLC | Sep 23, 2022 | Social Security Disability

Once you determined that your injury is serious enough to prevent you from working at least a year, it is crucial to take the steps to apply for Social Security disability benefits.

Do so as soon as possible because it may take you more than a year to receive those benefits. But to even get to that point, you must apply. And you may apply online, via phone by calling 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office.

You May Like: Spousal Social Security Benefits Calculator

Where Can You Apply For Disability Benefits

If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. You have options for completing your disability application. You may be able to start the process online at the Social Security Administration website, www.ssa.gov. You can also start your application by calling 1-800-772-1213 and speaking to a representative. You can also schedule an appointment at an SSA field office.

There are different processes for applying for SSDI and SSI. You can apply for SSDI online, on the phone, or in person. You must go to your local SSA office to apply for SSI benefits. If you are applying for SSDI and SSI at the same time, you can complete your application for both online. To apply for SSI online, you must be between 18 and 65, have never been married, not blind, and be a U.S. citizen in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. You must not have applied for or received SSI benefits in the past.

A disability lawyer will be able to determine the best way to proceed with your claim. An attorney will review the details of your case and will go over your medical records, determining if the hard medical evidence that the SSA needs to make a fair assessment of your case is readily available. You will need toprepare a detailed list of all your medical providers, including their names and contact details along with the dates of service.

The Disability Application Process

Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:

• You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information and documents you need to complete the application.
• You complete and submit your application.
• We review your application to make sure you meet our for disability benefits.
• We confirm you worked enough years to qualify.
• We evaluate any current work activities.
• We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
• This state agency makes the disability determination decision.

To learn more about who decides if you have a disability, read our publication .

Once You’ve Applied

Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed.

Look For Our Response

When the state agency makes a determination on your case, youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.

Check The Status

You can check the status of your application online using your personal mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Also Check: Which States Tax Social Security Benefits

Who Can Claim Benefits From My Record

Auxiliary benefits are divided into two categories: those that kick in before a workers death and those that go to the workers survivors. The second kind of benefits are often called survivor or Social Security death benefits. Here are the rules:

While youre alive, your spouse and any ex-spouse become eligible to claim spousal benefits from your record, beginning when they turn 62. In order for your husband or wife to claim Social Security spousal benefits you must have already claimed your primary benefits. Divorced spouses, though, can begin claiming benefits on their exs record whether or not the ex has filed for retirement benefits.

Minor children and disabled children of any age who became disabled before age 22 are also eligible to receive auxiliary benefits if their retired parent has started claiming primary benefits.

After a worker eligible for primary Social Security benefits dies, a few classes of protected individuals are entitled to claim auxiliary survivor benefits . The folks with this kind of Social Security eligibility include:

You May Like: Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Home Health

Get Ssa Benefits While Living Abroad

U.S. citizens can travel to or live in most, but not all, foreign countries and still receive their Social Security benefits. You can find out if you can receive benefits overseas by using the Social Security Administrations payment verification tool. Once you access the tool, pick the country you’re visiting or living in from the drop-down menu options.

Read Also: Cost Of Benefits Per Employee

The Best Way To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits

Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.

Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.

Guide To Applying For Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits are available to people who have enough work credits prior to becoming disabled.

Supplemental Security Income benefits are available to people who are disabled but who also meet the income and resource limits to qualify.

Depending on your circumstance, you may qualify for one or both benefits.

The application process involves the filing of forms that provide the Social Security Administration with information about your work and medical history.

It is important for applications to be accurate and complete so that a proper determination can be made on your claim.

Thats why having the assistance of a qualified attorney can be an invaluable form of assistance for those pursuing disability benefits.

Read Also: Age Of Social Security Benefits

Lost Or Stolen Federal Payments

Report your lost, missing, or stolen federal check to the agency that issued the payment. It’s usually one of these paying agencies. If your documentation indicates it’s a different agency, and you need its contact information, look in the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.

To get an update on your claim, contact the Treasury Department Philadelphia Financial Center at 1-855-868-0151, option 1.

Forms Related To Social Security Disability

Here are some specific forms that must be filled out by every disability benefit applicant. These forms are used to evaluate the eligibility of each individual applicant.

Form SSA-3368-BK: Adult Disability Report you provide all of the relevant information concerning your medical conditions, medical doctors and treatment, medications, how your daily activities are affected by your disability, your educational background, and other information.

Form SSA-3369-BK: Work History Report you provide specific information on your jobs and what type of function was required of you in each job. This is used in determining what your past relevant work experience is, whether you can perform your past relevant work with your disability, and to determine what transferable skills, if any, you may have.

Form SSA-3373-BK: Adult Function Report you provide specific information about how your medical condition affects your ability to perform tasks and function.

Form SSA-827-BK: Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration you must sign and return this form so that SSA can obtain your medical records which are used to determine the extent of your disability.

Read Also: Medicare Benefits For Non Working Spouse

Special Rules For People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision

We consider you to be legally blind under Social Security rules if your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye. We will also consider you legally blind if your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with a corrective lens. Many people who meet the legal definition of blindness still have some sight and may be able to read large print and get around without a cane or a guide dog.

If you do not meet the legal definition of blindness, you may still qualify for disability benefits. This may be the case if your vision problems alone or combined with other health problems prevent you from working.

There are several special rules for people who are blind that recognize the severe impact of blindness on a person’s ability to work. For example, the monthly earnings limit for people who are blind is generally higher than the limit that applies to non-blind workers with disabilities.

In 2022, the monthly earnings limit is $2,260.

Consult Our Widow Benefits Lawyers And Survivorship Lawyers For Free

Do you have questions about widow and survivor benefits? If so, walk into our El Paso, Dallas, Austin or Phoenix office today for a FREE consultation with our attorneys. Or, if you prefer, you can call us locally today at El Paso 533-9718, Dallas -319-6800 or Austin 371-1990 or Phoenix 251-4097. We charge no lawyer fees unless we recover benefits for you, and we accept walk-in appointments at any time.

Todos nuestros abogados hablan español.

Also Check: Widow Benefits For Social Security Disability

Don’t Miss: What Are The Benefits Of Having Medicare

What To Do If Your Disability Claim Is Denied

If your disability claim is denied, you are not alone. Most disability claims are denied during the initial review. When your disability claim is denied, the SSA will notify you in writing. They will tell you why your claim was denied and how long you have so you can file an appeal. If you wait too long, you will not be able to appeal, and you will have to start your claim all over.

The letter will tell you while your claim was not approved, and you can talk with your attorney about that. Your lawyer will know what additional information is needed to show that you are disabled and to help you get your claim approved. You may be able to gather the needed documentation and evidence that Disability Determination Services needs to review to determine if you are disabled.

When you file your appeal, you will want to include any medical records or supporting documentation that was not previously submitted. The more information that you can provide, the more likely you will be able to get your claim approved. The disability examiner needs to be able to fully assess your situation and determine the severity of your medical issues. With the proper documentation, he or she can determine if you are able to work and earn a living.

Through this process, the judge should be able to determine what kind of work you can do â if you can work at all.

Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

The taxes you paid on the income earned at jobs and through self-employment contribute to your eligibility to receive benefits under the SSDI program.

SSDI is a federal insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration . Established in the year 1954, the SSDI seeks to provide individuals with a source of income if they become unable to work due to a disability. You can start receiving SSDI benefits if you are unable to work because of a medically determinable physical and/ or mental impairment expected to last for 12 or more months or result in death. Additionally, you must have sufficient work credits to be eligible to start receiving disability benefits.

For receiving SSDI benefits, you will have to satisfy the Social Security Administration that you are disabled. As such, the following conditions must be satisfied.

• You are unable to engage in substantial, gainful activity due to the physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last, for at least one year.
• You are unable to handle the requirements of the job that you were able to handle before becoming disabled.
• You are unable to adjust to other types of work because of your physical or psychological condition.
• is a consequence of physical or psychological impairment that can be determined by medically acceptable, laboratory or clinical, diagnostic techniques.

Read Also: Ssi Versus Social Security Benefits