5 Steps to Make Applying for Disability Easier
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 26, 2025
In a previous post, we explained how you can apply online for Social Security Disability Programs. If someone you know has a serious medical condition, they may need some assistance applying for our programs. You can help make the online application process easier for them to navigate. Just follow these 5 steps.
Step 1
Review our People Helping Others webpage to learn about our 2 disability programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on a worker’s earnings.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and few resources.
Our definition of disability is the same for both programs: Adults must have a medical condition that prevents them from working and is expected to last at least 1 year or result in death.
Step 2
Encourage the adult you’re helping to sign in to their personal my Social Security account to determine if they are eligible for SSDI benefits. The person can also review their Social Security Statement for an estimated benefit amount if they are eligible based on their work history. If they don’t have a free and secure my Social Security account, you can help them create one, but you cannot create it for them.
Step 3
You may want to review and print the adult Disability Starter Kit to prepare for the online application process. Our checklist and worksheet will help you gather the information we need.
Step 4
Watch our online video series. These short videos will walk you through the third-party disability application and the required forms.
Step 5
Apply using our convenient online application. It has start-and-stop capability. Adults can apply for SSDI or SSI only. Or, in many cases, they can apply for both programs using the same application.
Before you begin, you must answer the question: Who is completing the application? You have 2 options:
- If you plan to be with the person while you help them, select I am applying for myself. That means they can electronically sign the completed application if they have a personal my Social Security account.
- If the person is not with you or is unable to create or sign in to their account, select I am helping someone who is not with me.
If you choose the second option, we’ll send the application and SSA-827 (medical release) to the person. You can mail the signed forms or drop them off at a local Social Security office. Without these required forms, we cannot process the application and make a medical decision.
What’s next?
We’ll review the application and the person’s work activities to make sure they meet some basic requirements. If they do, we’ll send their case to the State Disability Determination Services to make a decision. It generally takes 6 to 8 months for a decision. You can help someone check their application status online so they don’t have to call us.
Once a determination is made, we’ll mail a letter to let the person know whether we approved or denied their application. If they don’t agree with our decision, you can help them appeal online.
Please share these 5 steps with others who may want to help someone apply for disability – and post on social media.
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Tags: social security disability benefits, SSI
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PRIMBONTOTO
Artikel yang menarik, sangat bermanfaat. Buat yang suka togel dan numerologi, bisa cek juga primbontoto karena di sana lengkap banget penjelasannya.
Jessica L.
This is exactly the kind of breakdown more people need—clear, step-by-step, and human. Applying for disability can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with a health crisis. The Disability Starter Kit and online tools are real game changers, but I wish more people knew about the video walkthroughs—they’re a lifesaver when the forms get confusing.
I also appreciate that SSA allows someone to help even if the applicant isn’t present. That flexibility is huge for caregivers or friends helping those who are struggling.
Honestly, resources like this are rare in a digital world that often just overwhelms us. I recently read a piece that dives into that exact issue—how the internet keeps demanding more of us emotionally:
👉 The Internet Is Eating Our Souls and We’re Just Feeding It Likes
It’s worth a read if you’ve ever felt digitally drained while trying to navigate systems like this.
To anyone on the fence about applying: just start with the Starter Kit. That first step builds real momentum. 👏 Huge thanks to SSA for making this more accessible!
KRIS J.
Due to my cancer diagnosis and having a stem cell transplant I received my SSDI within 2 months. Also received back pay immediately. When I applied I listed every single physical and mental disability that was preventing me from working, all the treating physicians, testing from blood, bone marrow to all X-ray, CT Scan, etc.., hospitalizations-try to be as through as possible and gather all your info ahead of time. Write everything down, dates, medications, doctors name, address, telephone, etc..it’ll make it a whole lot easier as you go through the application if doing online.
Best to all.
Tony
2 months sounds like a compassionate allowance for the cancer. If they had only back pain or mental illness, then it will take much longer. The DDS would schedule them for a CE mental and/or physical examination which takes much longer than 2 months.
Only one third gets approved while two third gets denied. The average is 6 months for an initial determination.
If you got approved in 2 months, then the two who were denied took an average of 8 months each to get an initial denial determination.
The no brainer compassionate allowance seem to skip ahead of everyone and everyone else has to wait even longer to get an initial determination.
UN
I haven’t dealt with SSA Recently but I feel it is definitely getting better. I have been helping my cousin, with cancer, to apply for SS/SSDI.
Unshared NEWS
Tony
There is a 5 months waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance and they won’t receive benefits until the 6th months.
There is an average of 6 months to get an initial disability determination. If you apply for SSI, then you have to wait 6 month to receive backpay benefits. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, then expect to go homeless and broke before receiving the initial disability determination.
It is sad to see so many disabled people go homeless and broke before they receive an initial disability determination.
Marisel V.
I unfortunately live in Florida. After a stroke and having diabetic mettilus (type 1) since October 1973. This whole thing has taken for 9 months. Due me having Diabetes for over 50+ years. I no longer get symptoms of hypoglycemia. Yes, I do wear a glucose monitor, however, it happens everyday at different times the signal goes out for more than 30 minutes. Last week, EMT’s have been called because I simply the signal has not been received. I was a public school teacher for over 27 years. I have been working since I was 15 years old. I am a danger to students because since I get no symptoms until I am on the floor. I pose a danger to students. In once incident, the janitors found me on the floor. After 2 strokes, I cannot keep my balance and one social security I physician (set up by social security office) that due to my diabetes I no longer have eyesight. I loved teaching, but I am a danger to students. In a fire drill, I would be unable to walk down stairs as despite physical therapy that I ran out of appointments for physical therapy.Due to my lack of ability to keep my balance, and by my union standards I must accompany students if the fire drill alarm goes off. I also due to lack of eyesight I would be unable to make sure are out of room. Miami-Dade Public Schools require to have a monthly fire drill. I applied to Social Security over 9 months ago. At first, it was denied. I appealed the decision and I went to the required Social Security created medical appointments.
I call various everyday the Social Security office. On your portal, your agency and it states it on the portal after June 9th, 2025. I go to the portal everyday. It states a decision will be reached in 7-10 business days. Today, is the 13th day. Finally, after calling my case worker every day. Only after I had spoken to her supervisor. She left a message this morning, she said it is under “Quality Assurance). When the portal stated 7-10 days after June 9, 2025. This has had a devastating affect on my family’s budget. I simply should not and cannot wait for the money I have paid to your agency. I dread being denied again. A type1 diabetic since age 5-of course, insulin dependent. I have such acute brittle type 1 diabetes that my endocrinologist is unable to prescribe me an insulin pump due to the varying basal rates going up and down. My diabetes is too brittle.
Please I just want an answer yes or no. If “no” again appeal and go in front of a judge.
I only want the money, I paid into the system.
What more do I need to do.
Prema V.
I haven’t dealt with SSA Recently but I feel it is definitely getting better. I have been helping my cousin, with cancer, to apply for SS/SSDI.
I have also been posting articles on Nextdoor just may be someone will read it and benefit from the articles.
Tony
Social Security Disability Insurance is only a fraction of what they make. They will live in poverty for the rest of their lives.
If you are living paycheck to paycheck, then the fraction of the pay for disability benefits won’t even pay the bills. They will live a worse lifestyle than before. They better think twice about quitting their job.
People know that new car loan payments are $700/month or more. They probably won’t be able to afford a new car living on Social Security Disability Insurance.
So if they are thinking about quitting their job and applying for disability, then they will be in for a rude awakening.
If they are living paycheck to paycheck and quit their jobs, then it takes an average of 6 months to get an initial determination. They willl be homeless with bad credit before the initial determination.
People who applied for Social Security disability will tell you the horror stories of waiting to get approved. Only 33% get approved while 66% are denied. Some of the 66% who are denied end up homeless waiting to reach retirement age to receive Social Security.
If they are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, then there is a 5 months waiting period and they won’t get paid until after the 6th month. If they are working paycheck to paycheck, then they won’t be able to survive until they receive their first check.
Unless you have a no brainer terminal illness or condition, then don’t expect to get approved at the initial determination or the reconsideration. The reconsideration is almost always a rubberstamp denial and they would have to appeal for a hearing which will take years. If you have back pain or a mental illness, then expect to wait over a year or more to get approved. They will probably end up homeless waiting. Even some Republican Congressmen joke about people applying for disability with back pain and mental illness so it is scrutinize and mostly approved only after a hearing with an administrative law judge. They will be homeless and broke before they get a hearing with the ALJ. This is the dark side of applying for disability with back pain and mental illness.
Bryan T.
Hi yes this is Brian Kelly I was wanting to change my banking information to a different institution I keep going online and keep kicking it back saying I have to come see somebody I’m in Orlando Florida how do I go about that and is your security issue while they won’t accept the information I’m just curious call me at 706-333-2583 Brian Kelly