It’s easy to apply online for Social Security disability benefits, and there are several advantages. You needn’t wait for an appointment. Applying from home or any computer is more convenient. By avoiding trips to the Social Security office, you’ll save time and money.
There are three parts to the application process:
• Fill out the Disability Benefit Application.
• Answer the questions on the Adult Disability Report.
• Mail or take the documents we ask for to your Social Security office.
You will only be asked for relevant information. Helpful links and examples are provided. The process will go even smoother if you gather your personal information beforehand.
This is what you’ll need for the Disability Benefit Application:
• Your Social Security number
• An original or certified copy of your birth certificate (If you were born in another country, provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.)
• If you served in the military, an original or certified copy of your discharge papers (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty
• Your W-2 Form from last year or, if you were self-employed, your federal income tax return (IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE)
• Direct deposit numbers for having your monthly benefits deposited automatically (You may get these from a personal check or from your financial institution.)
• Information on any workers’ compensation claims you have filed including claim numbers, dates of injury and records of payments you received
This is what you’ll need for the Adult Disability Report:
• The name, address and phone number of someone who knows about your condition and can help with your claim
• Information about your illness, injury or medical condition including dates of treatment and patient ID numbers
• The names, addresses and phone numbers of the medical providers who treated you
• The names and dates of medical tests you’ve had and the names of the doctors who ordered them
• The names and prescribing doctors of any medications you take
• Medical records that you already have
• A list of where and when you’ve worked over the last 15 years (up to five jobs)
To get started, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and select “Apply online for disability benefits.”
Don’t worry if you can’t finish the application in one session. You can save the information you’ve entered and stop at any time. The Disability Benefit Application and the Adult Disability Report will be assigned separate numbers. Just enter the appropriate number to pick up where you left off.
The Disability Benefit Application must be completely filled out in order to submit.
Finally, you’ll be asked to sign a form (SSA-827) that gives your doctors permission to release medical information to us. There are two ways to sign:
• Sign electronically when you’re completing the Adult Disability Report.
• Print the form at that time, sign it and send it to your Social Security office.
We provide a cover sheet that you can print. Send it with the signed medical release and any medical records that you already have.
When you’re finished, save the information and print a copy for your records. The process is complete when you click on “Submit Now.”
If we need more information, we’ll contact you. When we make a decision about your claim, we’ll send you a letter.
Availability
The online forms are available seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):
• Monday through Friday – 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
• Saturday – 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
• Sunday – 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Holidays – 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Here’s how to contact Social Security for more information or to find copies of our publications:
• Visit our website at here
We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, wait times are shorter during the week after Tuesday. We provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.
To ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service, some calls are monitored by another Social Security representative.
If you would like to speak to a representative about handling this situation for you, please click here.
If you are a veteran, click here.
Your personal information will be kept completely private. We use the most secure internet technology.
There are three parts to the application process:
• Fill out the Disability Benefit Application.
• Answer the questions on the Adult Disability Report.
• Mail or take the documents we ask for to your Social Security office.
You will only be asked for relevant information. Helpful links and examples are provided. The process will go even smoother if you gather your personal information beforehand.
This is what you’ll need for the Disability Benefit Application:
• Your Social Security number
• An original or certified copy of your birth certificate (If you were born in another country, provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.)
• If you served in the military, an original or certified copy of your discharge papers (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty
• Your W-2 Form from last year or, if you were self-employed, your federal income tax return (IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE)
• Direct deposit numbers for having your monthly benefits deposited automatically (You may get these from a personal check or from your financial institution.)
• Information on any workers’ compensation claims you have filed including claim numbers, dates of injury and records of payments you received
This is what you’ll need for the Adult Disability Report:
• The name, address and phone number of someone who knows about your condition and can help with your claim
• Information about your illness, injury or medical condition including dates of treatment and patient ID numbers
• The names, addresses and phone numbers of the medical providers who treated you
• The names and dates of medical tests you’ve had and the names of the doctors who ordered them
• The names and prescribing doctors of any medications you take
• Medical records that you already have
• A list of where and when you’ve worked over the last 15 years (up to five jobs)
To get started, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and select “Apply online for disability benefits.”
Don’t worry if you can’t finish the application in one session. You can save the information you’ve entered and stop at any time. The Disability Benefit Application and the Adult Disability Report will be assigned separate numbers. Just enter the appropriate number to pick up where you left off.
The Disability Benefit Application must be completely filled out in order to submit.
If you’re unable to answer all the questions on the Adult Disability Report, you can still submit it. We’ll help you get the missing information.
Finally, you’ll be asked to sign a form (SSA-827) that gives your doctors permission to release medical information to us. There are two ways to sign:
• Sign electronically when you’re completing the Adult Disability Report.
• Print the form at that time, sign it and send it to your Social Security office.
We provide a cover sheet that you can print. Send it with the signed medical release and any medical records that you already have.
When you’re finished, save the information and print a copy for your records. The process is complete when you click on “Submit Now.”
If we need more information, we’ll contact you. When we make a decision about your claim, we’ll send you a letter.
Availability
The online forms are available seven days a week during the following hours (Eastern time):
• Monday through Friday – 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
• Saturday – 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.
• Sunday – 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Holidays – 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Here’s how to contact Social Security for more information or to find copies of our publications:
• Visit our website at here
We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, wait times are shorter during the week after Tuesday. We provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.
To ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service, some calls are monitored by another Social Security representative.
If you would like to speak to a representative about handling this situation for you, please click here.
If you are a veteran, click here.
