The Basics About Disability Benefits
The Basics About Disability Benefits
The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” This means that you worked long enough – and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. If you meet the non-medical requirements, monthly benefits are paid if you have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.
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 Adult Disability Checklist. It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
- You complete and submit your application.
- We review your application to make sure you meet some basic requirements for disability benefits.
- We check whether 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 are disabled, read our publication Disability Benefits.
Once You've Applied
Once we receive your application, we’ll review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed
Look For Our Response
You’ll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, we’ll 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 my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Appeal A Decision
You have the right to appeal any decision we make about whether you’re entitled to benefits. You must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving our decision. There are four levels of appeal:
- Reconsideration.
- A hearing before an administrative law judge.
- A review by Social Security’s Appeals Council.
- A review by the federal courts.
Alternatives to Social Security Disability
