Is It Easy to Apply for SSDI?

The Starter Kit to Apply for SSDI

It is not particularly difficult to apply for SSDI as long as you are fully prepared prior to starting your application.  The Social Security Administration has created a fairly handy starter kit that is a great document to help you get organized. 

This is a valuable tool to help you work through the decision as to whether or not you should apply. 

The starter kit answers many of the frequently asked questions from potential disability applicants.  It also has an adult disability Interview Checklist as well as a Medical and Job Worksheet.  The interview checklist helps you determine what information will be needed in order to complete your initial application. 

It will be your responsibility to obtain as much of this information as possible.

The medical and job worksheets require that you document your medical conditions and most importantly it requires that you provide name, address and phone number of all of your medical providers.

These worksheets also contain a medication list and a form for you to document all of the medical tests that you have had.  Finally it requires you to fill out a list of all of your jobs over the last 15 years.

When to Apply for Social Security

You should apply for disability benefits immediately after you become disabled.  Most people do not have short-term disability benefits thus the inability to work will have an immediate impact on your financial resources.

Because this process can take a very long time it is very important that you apply for disability benefits as soon as possible.  Doing so will ensure that you get benefits at the earliest point in time.

SSDI benefits will not begin before the sixth full month of disability.  This 5-month waiting period won’t necessarily be impacted by a delay in filing, but you should be aware of it.  SSIA federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. For more information, see Supplemental Security Income (SSI). More benefits are; however, impacted by a delay in filing.

These benefits do not begin until the first full month after you file your application.  Thus, filing early is very important.

How to Apply for SSDI

You can and should apply for Disability benefits online.  In fact, I highly recommend that you apply online.

Filing your initial application online allows you to do it at your own pace, you can start and stop the application process when you need to, which would allow you to gather missing information and immediately re-start the application.

An initial application filed online could be completed today.  If you are unable to complete the application online, you can also apply via telephone or in-person.

Both telephonic and in-person applications will require an appointment with the SSA.  You should call 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

When you go to your scheduled appointment, you should ensure that you have all the documents needed in order to get this process completed in one attempt. 

Starting/stopping applications in person or over the phone will put you at the mercy of the Administration’s schedule.  They are busy and available appointment times can be difficult to come by.

You should compile the following information for SSDI:

Have the following information ready when applying for SSDI.

Personal Information 

1. Date and place of birth.
2. Social Security numberThe nine digit number given to you by the Social Security Administration. More
3. Name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of current and former spouse(s).  Dates and places of marriages and divorces or death
4. Names, date of birth of minor children.
5. Bank, routing number and account number

Medical Condition Information

1. Name address and phone number of someone who knows your condition.  This person will likely be asked to fill out a report about your condition(s).
2. Names, addresses, phone numbers.  Dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, clinics.
3. Medication list and who prescribed them.
4. Type, date of medical tests.

Work Information

1. How much you earned over the last year
2. Name and address of your employer over the last year.
3. Beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. Military service.
4. A list of the jobs you’ve had over the last 15 years.
5. Workers’ compensation information or any other disability benefit.

Documents that may be required 

1. Birth certificateThe official record of your birth kept by the state, county, parish, or city. More
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship if you were not born in the U.S.
3. U.S. military discharge papers if you were in service before 1968.
4. W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns for the last year.
5. Any medical evidenceAll documents you submit to Social Security to support your case for disability, retirement benefits or payment amount. More you already have.
6. Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation type benefits.

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