Apply for disability benefits
Where to Look on Disability.gov
For information about Social Security disability benefits and other benefit programs visit Disability.gov's Benefits section. You can also find programs in your state by visiting the Benefits section of the site and choosing your state from the from the drop-down menu on the left side of the page that shows "Information by State".
Social Security's Disability Programs
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays monthly cash benefits through two programs -Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To get SSDI benefits you must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes, while SSI is for people who are in financial need and may have never worked and paid Social Security taxes. Read Social Security's brochure on disability benefits for more information. Disability payments cannot begin until you have been disabled for at least five full months. Payments usually start with your sixth month of being disabled. After you receive disability benefits for 24 months, you will be eligible for Medicare.
What Social Security Means by "Disabled"
There are many different definitions for the word "disabled" and Social Security's is very strict. To receive benefits from either SSDI or SSI programs you must:
- Not be able to do work that you did before;
- Not be able to do other kinds of work because of your medical condition(s); and
- Have a disability that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to cause death
Even if your doctor says that you are disabled, you cannot get disability benefits unless your medical records show that you meet SSA's requirements. Read more about this definition of disability and how SSA makes a decision disability claims.
Social Security has a Compassionate Allowances program for people with diseases and other medical conditions that will almost always make them eligible them to receive benefits. Compassionate allowances let Social Security quickly make decisions on claims filed by individuals with one of these medical conditions.
Applying for Benefits
Before you apply, read the factsheet What You Should Know Before You Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits.
One way to find out if you might be eligible to receive benefits is to use the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST). If the results from the BEST screening tool show that you might be eligible, you can apply for Social Security benefits online. If you don't want to do this online or if you have questions about applying call SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 AM and 7 PM.
If you have already applied for benefits, and would like information on the status of your application, contact your local SSA office. You can find the SSA office closest to you by visiting SSA's Office Locator and entering your zip code. If you have already applied and your application was denied, you have the right to appeal that decision. Learn more about how to the appeal a decision on your claim.
Children's Benefits
Children from birth up to age 18 may get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. They must be disabled and have little or no income and resources. Read the SSI Child Disability Starter Kit for more information. The SSDI program also pays benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they became 22 years old. SSA considers this SSDI benefit as a "child's" benefit because it is paid on a parent's Social Security record.
Benefits for Veterans and Service Members
Benefits from Social Security are different than those paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) and need a separate application. For more information about benefits available to service members and veterans visit the National Resource Directory.
Other Benefits Programs
GovBenefits.gov is another good source to learn about more than 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.
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