Qualify and Apply

We pay disability benefits under two programs:

• The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.

• The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.

  SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.

For most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and disability is determined by the same process.

Whether you apply for Social Security or SSI disability, we ask you for information about your medical condition, work and education history to help us decide if you are disabled under our rules.

Apply as soon as you become disabled. Most of the application forms can be completed online, depending on the type of benefit for which you apply:

• Social Security Disability Benefits
  You can complete both the Application and Adult Disability and Work History Report online.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  You can complete the online Adult Disability and Work History Report. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security Office to set up an appointment to complete the SSI application form in person or over the phone.

• Disability benefits for children
  You can complete the Child Disability Report online. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security Office to set up an appointment to complete the rest of the application in person or over the phone.

If your disability application is denied, the letter we send you explains the reason for the denial and how to request a review of our decision. Depending on the reason, you may be able to request your appeal online.

If your application is denied for

• Medical reasons, you can complete and submit the required Appeal Request and Appeal Disability Report online.

  The disability report asks you for updated information about your medical condition and any treatment, tests or doctor visits since we made our decision.

• Non-medical reasons, you should contact your local Social Security Office to request the review. You also may call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to request an appeal. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

If you are an Advocate, Attorney or Third Party Representative and you are helping someone prepare an Internet Social Security Benefit Application and/or an Internet Disability Report, we need additional information from you on the application.

Refer to the following sections for additional information about the disability program.

• Get a detailed explanation of the medical and earnings requirements for Social Security disability, what benefits are available for your family members, what happens once you’re approved and more.

• Estimate your future disability benefit amount based on your earnings record.

• Find out about Medicare coverage for Social Security disability beneficiaries.

• Use our benefit eligibility screening tool to help identify all the different Social Security programs for which you may be eligible.