SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


How do I apply for a Social Security disability widow’s claim ?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
The first step in the disabled widow-widower’s claim is to contact the Social Security Administration to inquire about your potential entitlement to Social Security widow/widower’s disability benefits.

There are some factors of entitlement which must be met before you can be entitled to a disability benefit based on your deceased spouse’s earnings.

You must be between the age of 50 and 60 to apply for disabled widow-widower’s benefits. Also the widow/widower’s benefit must be higher than you own potential or current disability benefit amount.

Additionally, if you are a divorced, disabled widow-widower, the above factors of entitlement still apply and you must have been married to your ex-spouse for ten years.

Once the non-medical requirements are met, you will need to provide the usual >disability interview information regarding your medical or psychological conditions, and work activities. Your claim will be forwarded to the state disability agency (that handles disability determinations for the social security administration) for a medical decision if an initial medical determination is needed.

However, if you are already entitled to disability based on your own earnings or based on need (SSI), you may not be required to provide medical information for a medical decision and your claim will not be sent to the disability agency.

In these cases, Social Security will usually adopt your initial disability determination, based on your current entitlement to disability benefits.















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












Individual Questions and Answers


  • Social security disability application

  • Can you apply for disability on the basis of multiple health problems?

  • How Long Will it Take To Get a Decision Letter from Social Security Disability?

  • What makes you entitled to receive disability benefits under SSI or SSD?

  • What kind of Final Decision can I receive on my Disability Application?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Ohio

  • Work quarters to qualify for disability

  • How Often Does Social Security Approve Disability The First Time You Apply?

  • SSI for children

  • What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • Can a child receive disability benefits for asthma ?

  • How Disabled Must You be to get Social Security Disability Approved?

  • Steps for Filing A Disability Claim Under SSI or SSD

  • Are children eligible to receive disability benefits ?

  • Asthma, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • How long can you receive SSI or Social Security disability benefits?

  • How to claim disability

  • Do You Qualify For SSDI Benefits from SSA? (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • Social Security Disability Representation Issues

  • Social Security back pay

  • Filing for Disability- what to bring to a disability interview when you apply

  • Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders

  • Will Coronary Artery Heart Disease qualify you for disability?

  • How is SSI different from Social Security Disability?

  • Narcolepsy, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • What Are the Social Security Disability Requirements For Personal Assets?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Massachusetts

  • What medical conditions can you apply for disability for

  • What is the maximum fee a Social Security disability attorney can charge?

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