Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to people who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability. Applying can be difficult. It’s very important that you what to do if you think you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
How to Apply
There are three ways you can request SSDI benefits:
- Online,
- By phone at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY),
- In person by visiting a local Social Security office.
No matter which method you choose, you’ll need to complete an application. Also, you’ll need to provide documents that support your disability claim.
The Application
Be prepared to submit details about the following:
- Birth and Citizenship. Provide the name of your birth country and a permanent resident card if not a U.S. citizen.
- Marriage and divorce. Give information about all marriages.
- Children. Give specifics about children who were disabled before age 22, are under 18, unmarried, or age 18-19 and still attending high school.
- S. Military Service. Include when you served, what type of duty you performed, and the branch (Army, etc.).
- Employers. Provide information about your employer for the current and prior two years.
- Self-employment. Include details for the current and prior two years. Include your business type and total income.
- Direct Deposit. Give the account type, account number, and routing number of the bank account you’d like your checks to be deposited in.
- Alternate Contact. List the contact information for someone the SSA can reach if you are unavailable.
- List of Medical Conditions. Include all medical conditions.
- Medical Providers. Include contact information, your patient ID numbers, dates of service, medical tests, and information about medications.
- Other Medical Records. List medical records available from other sources like rehabilitation services, prison, your lawyer, and so on.
- Job History. This is different than your employer details. State the date your medical condition affected your work, types of jobs you have for 15 years before the disability started, dates worked if you know them, and the duties you performed at your longest job.
- Education and Training. Include the highest grade you completed and when. Also state the dates and types of special training you had.
The Appointment
At some point, you will be interviewed by a Social Security caseworker, either in person or by telephone. Have the following information with you at the time of your appointment:
- Medical records that you already have.
- Information about any workers’ compensation claims you made.
- Spouse’s name and date of birth,
- The names of any minor children and their date of birth,
- Dates you were married and/or divorced,
- Routing number and account number for your bank account if you want to use Direct Deposit,
- Name, address and phone number of an alternate contact,
- A completed Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration), signed before a witness.
- A completed Medical and Job Worksheet – Adult.
Sound Complicated? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.
The application process can be long and frustrating, so you need someone on your side. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
