Ensure Your Application for Disability Benefits Is Complete
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: February 14, 2025
Social Security takes care to handle your claim for benefits efficiently. When you submit your application for disability benefits, be sure to provide as much information as possible. That will help to avoid any processing delays.
Here’s how to get your application off to a good start:
- If you’re an adult applying for disability benefits, use this checklist to get ready for your phone or in-person interview or as you prepare to complete your online application: Adult Disability Starter Kit.
- If you’re applying for a child, our Child Disability Starter Kit lists information and documents that you will need for the disability interview or to complete the Child Disability Report.
- If you are an appointed representative, be sure to also include your Appointment of Representative.
Remember, you can get started online! Visit our Apply for Social Security Benefits page to get started. Please share this information with friends and family and help us spread the word on social media!
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Tags: Disability, social security disability benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Bishal S.
Why does it take so long for the review process?
Rhonda
Why does it take so long for the review process to I applied first in February 2024 and then again in May of 2024. Still under review at the local office level. State of MS can do better than this!
Juanita M.
I have been unable to work for over two years now and I have Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, epileptic seizures, arthritis, anxiety and depression and PTSD caused by the scooting death of my child, memory loss among other issues I have been trying to get my disability and ssi for years and I am unable to pay any bills or anything. I am very scared now but I have a hearing soon and I hope that after all this time I can finally get my benefits. Maybe
Fatimah N.
My SSDI application has been with the Disability Determination Unit [DDU] for six months. I need to be contacted about my application’s status.
S.S.
Hi, Fatimah. Thanks for using our blog. The length of time it takes to receive a decision on your disability claim can vary depending on several factors. Primarily, the nature of your disability, how quickly we obtain medical evidence from your doctor or other medical sources, and if your claim is randomly selected for a quality assurance review of the decision. We care about our customers and are working as fast as we can. To check the status of your application, you can use your personal my Social Security account or our automated telephone services that are available 24 hours a day. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 and, at the prompt, respond “application status.” For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.
Nickalus P.
I was approved for benefits regarding the diagnosis related to my mental health condition for a temporarily period assitance of 24months only when ssi wasnt applied for correctly i stopped receiving abd assistance when i didnt think they are related & how do i go about getting back on track ?
Beth B.
Unable to review my finished online disability application.
Eric W.
I went homeless and lost contact for a minute and now I’m going back to visit with my SS Application. Where is it when you need it most?
Eric Gibson
Oregonhort@gmail.com
Kenneth L.
God these people and companys really messed my life up something horrible and now it’s like everyone just disappeared and got away with damn near trying to commit murder on me
Quacy M.
Raheem McLeod and Monty fortune like smoking around my social security food or snap food when I buy it
Leatogaugaaletuitoga F.
Hi I worked in American Samoa for 21 years but I’m here in US on visa which is still valid and renew so do I qualify if I apply for disabilities I has stroke and diagnose with diabetes and other sickness
S.D.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. We pay disability benefits if you’re unable to work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 1 year or to end in death. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on a worker’s earnings. If you paid FICA taxes while working in American Samoa, you earned Social Security credits. For more information about credits, check out our online planner. In certain cases, noncitizens can receive Social Security benefits. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. To learn more about SSDI and to apply online, visit our Disability webpage. We hope this helps.