Who Do I Contact To File For Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration?

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

If you wish to file for disability you have several ways to file your application. All methods of filing for disability involve some kind of contact with the Social Security Administration.

While Social Security has an online disability filing process, it is not comprehensive. For example, if you wish to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability in addition to filing for Social Security disability, you are unable to do so online.

Even if you are filing for Social Security disability, you are only able to complete your disability application and disability report form SSA 3368 online. You must still print your medical release form SSA 827 and return it to your local Social Security office.

Note: Your online disability claim can actually be denied if you fail to complete your SSA 3368 and/or return your signed medical release form to Social Security.

Currently, the most efficient way to file for disability with Social Security is to contact your local Social Security office to schedule an in-person or telephone disability interview with a Social Security claims representative. During your disability interview, the claims representative will gather all of the necessary medical and work history information for your disability claim. They will also evaluate your eligibility for both disability programs, Social Security disability and SSI disability, at the time of your interview.

If you choose an in-person interview with your local Social Security office, then your applications, disability report form, and medical release form will be completed during the interview. If you choose to do your application by phone, everything will be completed other than your signed medical release form. It will be mailed to you for your signature. You must return the medical release form or your claim will be denied.

However, both ways still gather all the necessary information for your disability claim, thus saving unnecessary wait time.

Once Social Security has your disability claim file completed, they forward the claim to a state agency responsible for making disability determinations for Social Security. Your disability claim is assigned to a disability examiner who will contact you during the development of your disability claim should they need any additional information.

Always remember: it is your responsibility to attend any medical examinations or return any information requested timely. Failure to do so could cause your disability claim to be denied prior to making a medical determination.

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

Topics and Questions

Can You Get Approved For Social Security Disability If You Do Not Take Medication Or Go To a Doctor?

When you Apply for Social Security do you get Medicare?

Basic Facts about the Administrative Law Judge Social Security Disability Hearing

What are the earnings limits for those on disability benefits?

How much does Social Security pay in disability benefits ?

Applying for disability benefits in New Jersey

Advice to Win Social Security Disability and SSI Benefit Claims

How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability Hearing

How to File for SSI

Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

Social Security Medical Exam - the purpose

Social Security Attorneys and What they do for you

The Social Security Disability Doctor Appointment is Called a CE

Who is The Doctor for a Social Security Disability Claim or SSI Case?

How Do You Fire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability

SSDI Decision, SSI Decison - How long does it take?

Social Security Hearing- How do I Request one, how long will it take?

Social Security Denied Me For SSD But Didn’t Have All My Medical Records, What Do I Do?

If I get disability, will they look at my case later?

How Long Does It Usually Take To Get Disability After I see Their Medical Examiner?

If I Get Denied Twice For Disability, What Do I Do?

The Difference Between Social Security Disability and SSI Really Involves Work Activity

SSA Disability Claim Decisions For Physical Problems

Filing Disability Appeals- Reminders About the SSD, SSI Appeal Process

Is There A Maximum Dollar Amount For SSI Disability?

Is getting social security disability easier for mental or physical problems?

Does A Certain Percentage of VA Disability Automatically Make You Eligible For Social Security Disability?

Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI with Multiple Sclerosis MS

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Multiple Personality Disorder and Filing for Disability

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Colorado

Muscular Dystrophy and Filing for Disability

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