Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Many people think that disability is something that happens to someone else. Unfortunately, disability is unpredictable and can happen to any person, at any age. Millions of Americans live with disabilities. Disability affects those afflicted and their families.
Social Security’s disability program provides medical and financial support to disabled individuals and their families in a time of need. The Social Security Act sets out a strict definition of disability. We pay benefits to people with a severe medical condition that prevents them from performing substantial work, and expected to last at least one year or result in death. Social Security does not pay benefits for partial disability or short-term disability.
We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSDI program provides benefits to disabled or blind people who worked and contributed to the Social Security trust fund as required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The SSI program makes cash assistance payments to aged, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources. SSI benefit payments do not come from the Social Security trust fund.
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. To apply for disability benefits, you will need to complete an application for Social Security benefits. You can apply online. When you visit our website, select “Apply for Benefits,” and follow the link to get a Disability Starter Kit. This kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. If we find you’re eligible for Social Security disability benefits, there’s a five-month waiting period before we can begin your benefits. Applying for benefits as soon as you become disabled will allow for benefits to start sooner.
You can also call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), to make an appointment to apply for benefits at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the telephone.
When disability strikes, Social Security is there providing financial support to people when they need it most.
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Tags: Disability, SSI, supplemental security income
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Bonnie F.
Do I need to make an appointment at my local social security office in order to hand in my completed application for social security disability along with all medical documentation?
thank you.
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Gale m.
I currently do not have Medicare coverage. Had it previously was shut off need to reapply.. gal
R.F.
Hello Gale! If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins on July 1 of the year you enroll. However, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Read our publication “Medicare” for more important information. Thanks.
gary m.
hello I am retired since 2012 from my job for 42 yrs. I have been working full time at home depot and am out of work now not sure if dr is going to let me go back to work. if not I was wondering if I can qualify for social security disability, since I am receiving social security retirement benefits now.
Peggy
Is there anyway to waive the waiting period to get disability check? My son in law has been approved but he will probably not live to collect any money with the waiting period.
R.F.
Hi Peggy, under current law, the 5 month waiting period cannot be waived. Individual waiting to receive their disability benefits, may also be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state in which they live. These services include Medicaid, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information, thanks.
Sharmane L.
My mother receive SSI benefits. She recently been hospitalized for mental illness. I would like to know can she receive Social Security Disability benefits while receiving SSI benefits?
Thank you.
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Sharmane. When it comes to qualifying for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI), you must be “currently insured” or have worked long enough–and recently enough—under Social Security.
See Insured Status Requirements for more information.
If you have specific questions about your mother’s situation, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
Randy F.
I am 45, yrs old, worked as a welder all my life,raised a family, beautiful home, lost it all live in housing now.i have severe COPD,3 prostrate surgerys,MY BACK IS REAL BAD I HAVE H.S SKIN DISEASE,STAGE 4 cirrhosis of the liver,depression problems,loosing my mind, I hate what they have done to me, its discrimination you and I know it, this is truth, can you believe he turned me down because my you would with, now I have neuropathy in my feet. IV tried sucide 2 times They have done my family dirty as I ever saw, oh I use a hand
Mary b.
We are ,hard working people,with memory problem.otherhave placed us in a older part delayed home and collect benefits on or behalf.he has an state I’d and I have a driverlicience my desnot reflect my pic.neigther are actual ages recent his leg was so loved on at time goes out of socket in last six year I had veairious operations two do to rapes where I could not press charges not I have sm strokes and heart attacks a net work of person use my maiden name I’m stuck under and married name plus inbeing use by local courth as a mental ill as if whole past is deliousion and forced to weely in home mental health injections we have not seen frield face or family sence we have memery loss and he has not come to terms he he being used for lo cash laber at times. My abdominal scar is being used,as birth scar ect what can we do to get back it where we should be
Randy S.
I’m a 57 year old Disabled Veteran.. I received a 60% disability rating from the VA after leaving the service. I was injured on the job last year and was just now awarded a 5% Impairment Rating from the Texas Workman’s Compensation. How would all this factor into an application for SSA disability due to me not being able to work any more.
R.F.
First of all, thank you for your service to our country, Randy. keep in mind that the Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, much different than the requirements for other government programs including veterans benefits. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death.
To learn more visit our Disability Planner: Social Security Protection If You Become Disabled. Thanks!