SSDI Q & A
Source: Social Security Administration

General Questions About SSDI
SSDI and Eligibility
SSDI and Enrollment
SSDI Application/Interview Process
SSDI and Immigration

General Questions About SSDI

What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefit for people who have worked in the past and paid Social Security taxes. SSDI benefits are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of their disability.

Where can I get more information about SSDI?
For more information on SSDI, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

To locate a local Social Security office, visit
http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.

What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
The medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, and the same process is used for both programs to determine your client's disability.

Supplemental Security Income is a program run by Social Security that pays monthly benefits to the elderly, the blind and people who have disabilities and very low income. If your client is receiving SSI, he/she will also most likely qualify for food stamps and Medicaid, too. While non-medical eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on prior work under Social Security, SSI disability payments are based on income and resource specifications.

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SSDI and Eligibility

Who is eligible for SSDI?
Your clients may be eligible to receive SSDI if they:

• Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
• Have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of a disability

To receive SSDI, your client's disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. Your client will not receive benefits for partial or for short-term disability (less than a year). For more information about work credits for disability benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/credits3.htm.

Why is there a five-month waiting period to receive SSDI benefits?
The waiting period is long enough to permit most disabilities to be corrected or for your client to show signs of probable recovery within less than 12 months after the onset of disability.

What does Social Security consider a disability?
Disability under Social Security is based on a person's inability to work. Your client will be considered disabled if he/she cannot perform at the same working capacity as he/she did before, and Social Security decides that he/she cannot adjust to other work because of his/her medical condition(s). Your client's disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. Click here for the Social Security Administration's definition of disability.

Where can I get a list of disabling impairments for Social Security Disability?
You can get a copy of Disability Evaluation Under Social Security ("The Blue Book" 5/02; SSA Publication No. 64-039), which contains the medical criteria Social Security uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily for physicians and other health professionals.

The Blue Book is online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

This book can also be obtained free of charge by writing or calling:

Social Security Administration
Office of Supply and Warehouse Management
239 Supply Building
6301 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235

You can also reach them via fax at (410) 965-2037 or e-mail at oplm.oswm.rpt.orders@ssa.gov.

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SSDI and Enrollment

What information does my client need to provide in order to apply for SSDI benefits?
Your client may need to provide the following information to apply for SSDI benefits:

• Social Security number
  (Social Security number cards and replacements can be requested through the SSA Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber)
  
• Birth certificate or other proof of age
  (the SSA Web site can help you locate the appropriate contact to obtain a copy of your client’s birth certificate at www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html)
  
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and institutions that treated you, and the dates of treatment
  
• Names of all medications being taken

Original documents or copies certified by the issuing office must be provided.

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SSDI Application/Interview Process

How does my client apply for SSDI?
Your clients can apply for disability benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability, or by calling toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. Social Security representatives can make an appointment for your client's application to be taken over the telephone or at a local Social Security office.

What is the typical time period to apply for SSDI?
Social Security considers the application filing date to be the day your client makes an appointment to apply for SSDI. If the person fails to keep this appointment, Social Security will send a letter saying the person must apply within six months from the date on the letter in order to use the date of the original call as the application date.

It generally takes approximately 90 days to process a claim for disability benefits. The time may be shorter or longer depending on the amount of information required to make a decision on your client's claim.

Once my client is eligible for SSDI, how long will he/she be enrolled?
Your client will continue to receive SSDI benefits as long as he/she continues to be disabled and meets other eligibility requirements. However, Social Security will periodically review your client's case to see whether he/she is still disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation of recovery.

• If medical improvement is "expected," your client's case will be reviewed within six to 18 months.
• If medical improvement is "possible," your client's case will be reviewed in three years.
• If medical improvement is "not expected," your client's case will be reviewed in seven years.

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If my client is an immigrant, is he/she still eligible for SSDI benefits?
If your client is an immigrant, to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, he/she must:

• Be a qualified alien
• Meet an exception condition that allows qualified aliens to get SSDI
• Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security
• Have a medical condition that Social Security considers a disability (see "What Makes Your Client Eligible" for more information about what Social Security considers a disability)

The Social Security Administration has a new process for non-citizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. Now, people age 18 and older applying for immigrant visas with the U.S. Department of State can also apply for SSN cards at the same time.

For more information on Social Security's immigration policy, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/immigration.

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