Number For Social Security Disability

Information About Family Members

• Social Security numbers and proof of age for each family member who may qualify for benefits and
• Proof of marriage, if your spouse is applying for benefits, as well as dates of prior marriages, if applicable.

If you don’t have all the documents you need, don’t delay filing for benefits. We will help you get the information you need.

What You Need To Apply For Benefits

The process of applying begins online, by working with a disability lawyer, or by visiting a local office. .

Before taking any action, applicants should make a complete list of all medical facilities where they have received medical treatment.

It isnt necessary to have exact addresses, but the names of hospitals, doctors, treatment facilities, rehabilitation facilities, workmans compensation, and even prison or jail are important.

If this process is too difficult, a law firm or representative can help. In addition, the applicant should be prepared to fill out a form either alone, or with help that describes work history for the last fifteen years.

Having this information on hand makes applying less stressful.

The Disability Application Process

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 . 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 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 .

Once You’ve Applied

Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed

Look For Our Response

Youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well 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 mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Appeal A Decision

• Reconsideration.

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How To Use The Disability Blue Book To Your Advantage

The Social Security Administration evaluates each claim using a comprehensive list of disabilities, the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, commonly referred to as the Blue Book. The Blue Book features 14 different categories of conditions and their related diagnoses, symptoms and treatment. The idea is that the SSA can quickly locate a condition in the Blue Book and determine whether your condition qualifies you for disability benefits.

When you are in the initial application process or in the request for reconsideration phase, the Blue Book can help you determine what medical documentation will help to make your case as strong as possible. If you locate your condition in the Blue Book, you can see what information will be used to decide your claim and you can provide as much evidence to support your case.

In some cases, though, your condition is not enough to qualify you for disability benefits, and so the SSA will request that you complete a residual function capacity form . The RFC determines how much work you are capable of performing given the limitations of your condition.

Your doctor is the one who fills out the RFC form, thus ensuring that the information provided is based entirely upon your medical history.

The RFC form is your chance to present specific information about your unique situation to the SSA. Your doctor knows your case and understands your limitations based upon examination and observation.

Approval Rates For Denials

Social Security disability applications face an overwhelming 70% denial rate upon initial evaluation. That is a huge number but it is based upon several very different factors, such as applying for a condition that does not meet the criteria or lack of proper medical documentation.

Fortunately, the Social Security disability benefits program offers a comprehensive set of appeals guidelines that have a great success rate.

When you appeal a decision, the understanding at that point is that you truly believe you qualify for disability benefits. You might go back and review your medical documentation to ensure that you have provided everything that the SSA needs to make an informed decision.

In some cases, new information has presented itself since you initially filed, and this new information can help to make your case even stronger.

The reality, though, is that your initial request for reconsideration goes back to the SSA so this appeal level only has an average success rate of 13.8%.

The best chance for a successful appeal comes at the disability hearing level, where you have the chance to speak with an administrative judge about your condition. You are able to bring witnesses who can support and corroborate your claims. There is an average success rate of 62% at this stage.

The two remaining levels are the Appeals Council and taking the case to federal court. The Appeals Council approval rate is about 13% and only 40% of federal court cases receive favorable decisions.

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If Your Spouse Also Worked Under Social Security

If your spouse is eligible for retirement benefits on their own record, we will always pay that amount first. But, if the spouses benefit that is payable on your record is a higher amount, they will get a combination of the two benefits that equals the higher amount.

If your spouse will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government or foreign work, their Social Security benefit on your record may be affected.

How To Apply For Social Security Disability Insurance

There are three ways to apply for SSDI:

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Number Of People On Social Security Disability Levels Off

by Midwest Disability, P.A. | Apr 25, 2014 | Social Security Disability Process And Benefits |

The number of people receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration has been increasing for years. Since 2004, the number has risen 42 percent. The sharp rise in people receiving benefits created worry among lawmakers and those interested in policy and spurred talk of reforming the benefits program.

Now, though, the number of people receiving the benefits has leveled off. In March 2013, the number of people who receive monthly benefits reached 10,939,936 million and has remained at around that level for the past year. In December 2013, the number of people receiving benefits reached 10,988,269 million. In March 2014, the number of recipients was 10,981,423.

The Social Security Disability Insurance program is one of the governments largest entitlement plans, paying out close to $140 billion in benefits each year. Some budget watchers estimate that the benefits program could exhaust its trust fund reserves in 2016 or 2017.

Given that situation, leveling off in the number of applicants is good news. But as a Washington Post story notes, its unclear if the number of recipients in the program has actually peaked.

When Will I Receive My First Ssdi Payment

If the Social Security Disability application is approved, the first benefit will be paid to you for the sixth full month after the date that the disability began.

Monthly disability benefits are wholly based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. You can receive an estimate here.

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Disability Appeals In Texas

If your initial claim is denied, the next step in Texas is to seek a âreconsiderationâ from DDS. If your request for reconsideration is denied, then the next step is to ask for a hearing with an administrative law judge . ALJ hearings are administered through Social Securityâs Office of Hearing Operations , formerly known as the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review . The main OHO office in Texas is located at Suite 460, 1301 Young Street, Dallas, Texas 75202-5433. Its telephone number is 767-9401.

OHO also operates eight hearing offices that serve Texans. Hearing offices are located in Fort Worth, Harlingen, and San Antonio, plus Dallas and Houston each have two hearing offices. In addition, the hearing office in Oklahoma City serves some Texans close to their borders. To find the office that serves your location, check Social Securityâs hearing office locator.

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How Workers Can Get Estimates Of Benefits

The Social Security Administration provides benefit estimates to workers through the Social Security Statement. The Statement can be accessed online by opening an online account with SSA called my Social Security. With that account, workers can also construct âwhat ifâ scenarios, helping them to understand the effect on monthly benefits if they work additional years or delay the start of retirement benefits. The my Social Security account also offers other services, allowing individuals to request a replacement Social Security card or check the status of an application.

A printed copy of the Social Security Statement is mailed to workers age 60 or older.

In 2021, SSA began producing Retirement Ready fact sheets, available online and as part of the online Statement, that tailor retirement planning information to different age groups .

SSA also has a Benefits Calculators web page with several stand-alone online calculators that help individuals estimate their benefits and prepare for retirement. These include benefit calculators for spouses, calculators for persons affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset and calculators to determine a personâs full retirement age or the effect of the earnings test on benefits.

SSA also provides a life expectancy calculator to help with retirement planning.

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Appealing Denied Social Security Disability Application

Its common for applicants to be denied. In fact, only about 1 in 3 applicants are initially approved for SSDI benefits. The two main reasons for denial are usually a lack of work credits, or that applicants do not meet the criteria for disability.

If you have been turned down, you do have the right to go through a Social Security Disability appeal process. Either you or your designated representative can file a Request for Reconsideration. Your initial appeal will then be turned over to Disability Determination Services, who will thoroughly review your file.

If you are denied again, you can proceed to the next level of appeal which is to appear in front of an Administrative Law Judge. An Administrative Law Judge will conduct a hearing in which all of your medical records and testimony will be heard before the judge renders a decision in the form of a written notice.

If you are still denied benefits, then you have a final appeal step you can take: filing a lawsuit in U.S. district court. You will need an attorney for this step if you havent already retained one. This can be an expensive and time consuming option, and as a result, less than 1% of disability claimants take their cases to this level.

Information Needed To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits

Processing claims for disability benefits can take anywhere from 3-5 months. Gathering required information prior to filing a claim may expedite the process. You will need the following information to apply online:

• Social Security number
• Basic spousal information
• Basic information for any children under the age of 18 or those who became disabled before the age of 22
• Military service, education or training
• If you are self-employed, business type and total net income
• If you are not self-employed, name of employer, start and end dates of employment, total earnings for the past two years
• Direct deposit information
• Medical information including conditions, doctors, hospitals, clinics at which youve received examinations, tests, treatments, etc.
• Names, dosages and information of all medications
• Employment history for the 15 years prior to becoming disabled

To apply over the phone or in person, you will need the majority of the above as well as:

• Medical records already in your possession
• Medical and Job Worksheet Adult, which can be found here.

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How Can I Change My Address

If you get Social Security benefits or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by signing into your mySocial Security account. Go to the My Profile Tab and slect the contact link.

This service is not currently available to people who receive Supplemental Security Income or do not have a U.S. mailing address. However, if you do receive SSI, you can still check your address we have on record and update your telephone number via the My Profile tab on your mySocial Security.

• Call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am 7:00 pm.

The Basics About Disability Benefits

The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain if you are insured. This means that you worked long enough and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The 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.

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What Is The Difference Between Ssi And Ssdi

SSI eligibility is determined based on age, disability and available resources, while SSDI is based on a persons disability and work credits.

For most people, medical requirements that will allow you to receive disability payments are the same for both, and disability is determined using the same process. Both SSI and SSDI are managed by the Social Security Administration as well.

The most notable difference between SSI and SSDI is that SSDI is only available to people who have accumulated enough work credits, while SSI is available to low-income individuals who have not accumulated enough work credits or who have never worked. In addition, SSDI is based on your work history, but SSI is strictly based on a financial situation of considerable need.

Additionally, SSI benefits begin on the first of the month that a social security disability application is submitted and approved, but for SSDI there is a five-month waiting period. People who qualify for SSI can also receive Medicaid benefits. After receiving SSDI benefits for two years, a disabled person will be eligible for Medicare benefits. The amount of SSI benefits depend on where a person lives and what their monthly income is, while SSDI benefit amounts are dependent on a persons earnings record.

What Is The Social Security Administrations Definition Of Disabled

Disability is defined by SSA in its simplest terms as the inability to work. The technical definition is the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity .

For practical purposes, SGA means full-time work either usual employment or having the capacity to adjust to new, different employment.

This straightforward definition does not mean the process of getting approved is simple or quick, however.

Determining whether SGA is possible takes a team of specialists and doctors to review the disability application, and sometimes schedule additional medical appointments.

Past work has a big impact on allowance or denial, and a law firm that offers a free evaluation of work history can be helpful.

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How To Apply Apply For Ssdi Or Ssi Benefits

Online+

If you think you may be eligible for payments, you can apply for disability benefits online with the Social Security Administration.

If you think you may be eligible for payments, call the Social Security Administration at to file a claim or contact your local Social Security office.

In person+

If you think you may be eligible for payments, visit your local Social Security office. You should call first to make an appointment.

Fraud In The Acquisition And Use Of Benefits

Given the vast size of the program, fraud sometimes occurs. The Social Security Administration has its own investigatory unit to combat and prevent fraud, the Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit . The Cooperative Disability Investigations Program continues to be one of the most successful initiatives, contributing to the integrity of SSAâs disability programs. In addition when investigating fraud in other SSA programs, the Social Security Administration may request investigatory assistance from other law enforcement agencies including the Office of the Inspector General as well as state and local authorities.

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What Happens If The Dac Gets Married

If the child receives benefits as a DAC, the benefits generally end if they get married. However, some marriages are considered protected.

The rules vary depending on the situation. Contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the benefits can continue.

1-800-772-1213

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.