Social Security Disability | Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits | SSD | SSDI | SSI

Process of Applying for Benefits - Social Security Lawyers

The process of applying for disability benefits can be very overwhelming and taxing, particularly for someone who is already dealing with a serious medical condition. While can be very daunting to deal with the Social Security Administration, these benefits provide crucial support to the disabled in their time of need.

Hiring a Social Security lawyer with years of experience handling disability cases can greatly improve your chances of winning your claim for disability benefits. A Social Security attorney can guide you through the whole of the application process and can handle any appeals in the event your initial application for SSDI or SSI benefits is denied.

You will need the following information to complete your disability application:

  • Your Social Security number;
  • The names of your doctors at any clinic or hospital you visited;
  • Dates of doctor’s visits and hospital stays;
  • Medical records from your doctor, specialist, psychiatrist, case worker or hospital;
  • Copies of any test results or lab results on your condition;
  • Names and dosage of the medicine you are currently prescribed;
  • Your work history, including place of employment and type of work; and
  • A copy of your latest W-2 form.

Filing an application with the Social Security Administration

You can apply for Social Security Disability Benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits online or by calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. The best way to apply, however, can be by visiting a Social Security Office near you. To locate the nearest office, use the online Social Security Office Locator.

The best place to start with the application process may be to read through the Adult Disability Starter Kit on the Social Security Administration’s website. This kit contains worksheets that help you to evaluate the extent of your disability and help you to gather all the information you will need prior to applying.

While the application itself can be filed online on the Social Security Administration's website, you may find it easier to fill out the application in person at a Social Security Office.  Filing for Social Security disability in person can be easier as employees of the Social Security Administration are on hand to answer any questions that come up during the process.

After you let the local Social Security office know you want to apply for disability benefits, you can schedule either an in-person or phone interview to discuss your case. Social Security disability attorneys are able to assist you when preparing for this interview so that your claim for SSI benefits or SSDI benefits is presented in the most effective way possible.

The application represents only the first step in the process of applying for benefits. The Social Security Administration will evaluate your case and make a determination of your disability status.

Proving you are disabled - Social Security Claims Attorney

When evaluating your case, the Social Security Administration requires basic medical evidence about your condition that causes your disability. This evidence includes your medical history, any clinical findings about your condition, laboratory test results, your doctor's diagnosis and course of treatment, as well as your doctor's opinion on what you are physically or mentally able to do given your condition.

Your Social Security disability determination will hinge on whether this medical information describes a condition so severe you can no longer work. A Social Security lawyer can scrutinize your medical history and may recommend that you visit a specialist before filing your application to ensure you give the SSA a full picture of your condition.

If you have not seen a physician recently and are worried about locating one you can afford, there are many doctors that serve low-income patients. To find one in your area, visit the HRSA - Find a Low Cost Medical Care Center site or contact your local health department.  A Social Security law firm can also put you in touch with low-cost health resources in your area.