You can apply for Social Security disability online through the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov. It’s a great way to avoid timely delays you may encounter when scheduling an appointment that may reach a month or more into the future. However, ne particularly important caveat you should know about applying online – you cannot apply for SSI online.
There are two major types of benefits that most people apply for:
· Disability Insurance Benefits (Title II or SSD), which are based on your earnings history, and
· Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program. Filing for SSI is particularly important if your earnings history is sparse or if your income has been low. SSI is also the gateway through which you may qualify for Medicaid. The start date for your SSI benefits and for Medicaid is controlled by your application date. This is why it is so important to file for SSI as soon as possible.
So what does this mean if you are applying online? Unfortunately, applying online may mean that you are not applying for all of the benefits you are entitled to. An experienced Social Security attorney can help you determine whether you have filed the appropriate applications.
Social Security online benefits may not be the BEST option for you because you do not have the availability to apply for SSI. You can go in person to your local Social Security Office or call 800-772-1213 and schedule an appointment.
Make sure to tell your attorney if you applied for benefits online; it may be an important piece of the overall puzzle as he or she is helping you obtain the best disability benefits possible. Keep copies of your confirmations as proof of your filings. You can also call Social Security at 800-772-1213 for additional help to ensure that you are filing the correct applications.