Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Program Description

Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits are paid to people who:

  • Have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes, and
  • Can’t work because of a medical condition that has or will last at least one year or ends in death.

General Program Requirements

Application Process

Visit the Disability Planner: How You Apply For Disability Benefits page for details on how to apply.

To find out what other Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits you may qualify for, use the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) on Benefits.gov. When you complete the questionnaire, you get a list of benefits to review. You can print this page for your records.

When you know which benefits you may apply for, click Apply for Social Security Benefits to apply online. You can also call the phone numbers below to learn more about SSA benefits and how to apply.

Program Contact Information

Visit the Social Security Contact Us page for to see all of our contact options, and to learn about our online and special services. We also offer free interpreter services.

To learn more about Social Security, visit our Publications page or call us:

  • 1-800-772-1213
  • TTY 1-800-325-0778
Last Updated: 10/26/2016