How to Apply for Social Security Disability
Do you have a severe physical or mental impairment that is preventing you from working at a level that earns a livable wage or income? Consider filing for Social Security Disability. The first step in the disability application process is to apply with the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are several ways in which a person can apply for Social Security Disability.
The first is online. In order to file a Social Security disability claim online, a person must meet the following criteria: 1) be 18 years old or older, 2) must not be currently receiving benefits on his or her own Social Security record, 3) must be unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and 4) must not have been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If those criteria are met, an applicant may apply online with the Social Security Administration (SSA) at https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib. SSA provides a list of information needed for completing the application and states that the application may take as long as one to two hours to complete. However, an applicant can save his or her application throughout the process allowing them to take a break at any time and return to the application without having to start over. Once the application is submitted, an applicant can check the Application Status online and may receive calls from SSA with any questions or updates. SSA suggests that an applicant have the following information at hand so as to make the application process easier:
· Date and Place of Birth and Social Security Number
· The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse.
· Names and dates of birth of your minor children
· Your bank or other financial institution’s Routing Transit Number and account number
· Name, address, and phone number of someone SSA can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application
· Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries, or conditions:
o Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics;
o Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them; and
o Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who sent you for them.
· The amount of money earned last year and this year
· The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year
· A copy of your Social Security Statement
· A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years
· Information about any workers’ compensation, black lung, and/or similar benefits you filed, or intend to file for.
If an applicant does not have access to a computer, he or she can call SSA’s toll free telephone number at 800-772-1213. An applicant may also call or visit the local Social Security Office to file an application. Claims for disability benefits usually take 3 to 5 months to process.
For more information on applying for Social Security disability benefits, contact an experienced Social Security disability attorney at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today at 251-343-1111 for a free case evaluation. Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. represents Social Security disability claimants in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana at all levels of the disability process from initial application to appeals to Federal Court.