How Do I Apply For Disability - What Is The First Step?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

If you have not been working or have had to drastically reduce the hours that you are working due to some mental or physical impairment, you should consider filing for disability. Social Security offers two disability programs for people who have been out unable to work for at least twelve months or are expected to be unable to work for twelve continuous months.

Social Security disability is based upon the work that you performed prior to becoming disabled (work earns disability insured status) and Supplemental Security Income disability is based upon need (meaning you must meet SSI income and resource limits).

Do you apply for SSD or SSI?

You apply for both disability programs simultaneously. If you meet the non-disability requirements for both, your disability claim will be sent as a concurrent claim. If you meet the non-disability criteria of just one of the programs, your disability claim will be sent as one type or the other. So how do you apply for disability?

The first step of the disability process is the initial disability interview. You can complete the interview in person or by phone with a claims representative at your local Social Security office. Also, there is now an application process for Social Security disability online.

At this time, it is still best to file your disability claim with your local Social Security office, either by phone or in person because there is no online application for Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI). Consequently, most disability applicants have to complete their application with a claims representative even if they file their application online.

Additionally, if you file with a claims representative, your application and disability report form (the form used to gather medical and work information) is completed while they interview you. All you have to do it sign your medical release forms, or sign and return your medical release forms to your local office if you complete your interview by phone.

Should you decide to use the online disability process, make sure to complete your disability form online as well and indicate whether or not you need to file for the need-based SSI disability program. If you indicate that you are not interested in filing for SSI, you may not have to speak to a claims representative if you complete your disability report online and return your medical release forms.

Once you file your application with Social Security, your disability claim will be sent to a state disability agency (disability determination services, known as DDS) that is responsible for making the medical determinations for both SSI and Social Security disability.

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

How is my social security disability benefit calculated ?

If you appeal your Social Security disability claims how long does it take to receive a decision ?

To get a Social Security Disability or SSI Award do you have to have a Permanent Disability?

Applying for disability benefits in Pennsylvania

What are the SSI disability qualifications for Adults and Children?

What Happens During A Social Security Disability Interview?

Medical Evidence Used on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim

How do you get an SSI disability application started?

What Does Social Security Disability and SSI Include As Your Past Work?

How long will it usually take to get a decision on a disability claim?

The Medical Requirements for Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI

How Far Back Does Social Security Look At Your Medical Records for an SSDI or SSI Case?

Is There A Way To Get Automatically Approved For SSI And Social Security Disability?

What is usually the status of your social security disability or SSI case?

How to File for SSI

When you file for disability and have both Mental and Physical Conditions

What is the Role of a Social Security Disability Representative?

Can You Get Approved For SSI or SSD Benefits IF You Have A Mental Condition But Do Not Take Medication?

Responsibilities of the Disability Representative Before and After the Social Security Hearing

Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial – How Often Is This Successful?

Will a Social Security Judge give You an Immediate Decision at the Disability Hearing?

What Happens When You File an SSI or Social Security Disability Application?

For Disability, What Does It Mean When A person Can Only Do Sedentary Work?

Should you ask a Disability Lawyer About Their Win Rate and How Many Cases They get Approved?

The Medical Vocational Allowance for Social Security Disability and SSI cases

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Illinois

Do you get medical health care coverage with SSI ?

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials