Before applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) online, it helps to know how to apply for disability and what you will need to help examiners determine your eligibility for disability benefits. This step-by-step guide can help you understand the process, gather the needed information, and lead you through the filing process.
Who Qualifies for SSDI and When You Should Apply
You can apply for SSDI if you’ve had jobs covered by Social Security and now have a medical condition that qualifies as a disability under Social Security’s definition.
The timeline of the disability process depends on each case’s circumstances and complexity. If your disability application is approved, monthly benefits typically start after a five-month waiting period. However, if your claim is not initially approved, the appeals process may take much longer.
It’s recommended that you start the SSDI application process as soon as you are unable to work because of a medical condition that will last at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. (Note: SSDI is for long-term disability benefits for those unable to work. Short-term disability is covered by other disability programs, such as workers' compensation or temporary disability insurance.)
Key Disability Terms You Should Know Before Applying
- Definition of Disability: A physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that limits your ability to do certain tasks or daily activities.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): The federal insurance program that provides benefits if you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes and can no longer work because of a disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A needs-based program that helps you if you have limited income and resources.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): The monthly earnings the SSA considers substantial.
- Medically Determinable Impairment (MDI): A physical condition or mental impairment that can be proven by medical evidence.
- Residual Functional Capacity (RFC): An SSA assessment of your ability to do work-related activities despite your limitations.
- Disability Determination Services (DDS): The state agency that reviews medical evidence and makes initial disability claim decisions.
- Alleged Onset Date (AOD): The date you became unable to work because of a disability.
- Date Last Insured (DLI): The last date you met work credit requirements for SSDI.
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Basic activities like dressing, eating, and bathing.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits Step by Step
Follow these steps to better understand how to sign up for disability and streamline your process. You will need proof of personal details, including your Social Security number, birthday and and place of birth. A Social Security Administration (SSA) Disability Starter Kit can help you prepare with a checklist of documents needed.
Gather Your Medical and Work History
To apply for disability insurance, you will need:
- Documentation of your earnings, including income for this year and last year, for the disability examiner to determine your base period.
- Medical records and information about your healthcare providers.
- Employment history in detail.
Create Your Social Security Account
Before applying for disability, create your “my Social Security” account on the SSA website ,www.ssa.gov. This system identifies you securely to protect your information and prevent fraud. You can track your application and receive important notices and updates from SSA on this account.
Next, navigate to the “Apply for Benefits” section and select “Apply for Disability.”
Complete Form SSA-16 Online
Completing the Form SSA-16 online will likely take 15 minutes or more. This form allows you to apply for SSDI and SSI, though the SSI application may require additional forms and information.
Your answers must be honest, consistent, detailed, and to the point to help your reviewer understand your health condition. Your information, including doctors’ contact details, needs to be up to date and correct so SSA can easily reach them. List the disabilities that keep you from working that you’re being treated for now. Additionally, if you don’t have a response for a question, write “none” or “N/A” – don’t leave any lines on the form blank.
Let’s look at the 25 questions on Form SSA-16 line by line.
- Questions 1-3: Provide your basic contact information, name, Social Security number, and preferred language.
- Questions 4-7: Provide identity information when and where you were born and US citizenship; current name, birth name, and all names you’ve used; and all Social Security numbers you’ve used.
- Question 8: Provide details on when your condition(s) became severe enough to prevent you from working. This may be the day of an incident that caused the injury, or for chronic illnesses, the date you left a job or were let go. Provide at least a month and year if you cannot recall the exact day.
- Question 9: Check the “yes” box if you, your spouse, or your ex-spouse worked for the railroad while you were married.
- Question 10: If all your work and tax payments were in the US, check “no.”
- Question 11: If you did work after 1956 that didn’t require you to pay into social security and you’re receiving or expect to receive a pension or annuity for it, answer “yes” and provide the month and year payments started or will start.
- Question 12: The SSA asks questions about your marriage(s) to see if you qualify for benefits through a spouse or former spouse. You’ll need to provide all spouses’ names, Social Security numbers, any dependents, and who performed your marriage(s). Write “none” if applicable, and use the “Remarks” section on page five if you need to list more dependents or marriages.
- Question 13: Provide the full legal names of your children who may also qualify for benefits if your claim is approved. This includes children 18 and younger, children age 18 or 19 attending elementary or secondary school full-time, and children with disabilities or handicaps.
- Question 14: If you’ve worked jobs since 1978 that you paid quarterly estimated taxes or self-employment tax, instead of an employer deducting taxes, provide that information in part one. If you didn’t have income that required paying Social Security taxes in any years since 1978, provide those years in part two.
- Question 15: Provide the start and stop dates of all jobs you’ve had this year and last year. Write “Not ended” if you haven’t left the job.
- Question 16: Provide simple answers for the self-employment questions – “yes” or “no” and what the job was. Also, for the self-employment income question, “net income” is your income after deducting business expenses.
- Question 17: Provide your income for last year in 17a and totals for this year in 17b, including self-employment and all employers. Write “None” if you haven’t earned income in these years. These answers help SSA determine your eligibility.
- Question 18: Provide how your disability affects your ability to work. Check “yes” for 18a if you cannot go back to work. Check “no” if you’ve been able to work since your illness, disability, or injury made you unable to work. Write the date you returned to work in 18b. You may be eligible for back pay if you’ve returned to work. (You’ll provide a Function Report – Form SSA-3373 – with more details after completing the SSA-16.)
- Question 19: Answer “yes” if your injury was from a single work event or resulted from work over time, such as a repetitive motion injury.
- Question 20: Answer yes if you are blind or have low vision, even with glasses or contacts. You will meet the SSA’s definition of blindness if poor vision cannot be corrected.
- Question 21: If you’re applying for disability benefits other than SSDI, check “yes.” To apply for SSI, answer “yes” in 21a and check “Supplemental Security Income” in 21b.
- Question 22: Provide any income you received after your disability date on question 8 or will receive. If your answer is “yes,” record those payments and use the “Remarks” section on page five to explain the payments.
- Questions 23-24: Truthfully answer whether you’ve cared for any dependents during the years you were unable to work.
- Question 25: Check “yes” if you’ve been unable to work because of a disability before age 22 and if your caregiver is deceased or receiving benefits. Use the “Remarks” section on page five to provide your caregiver’s name and Social Security number.
Submit Supporting Documents
Upload required documents, such as medical records and proof of income, making sure they are clear and legible.
Monitor Your Disability Claim
To monitor your claim, sign into “my Social Security” on the SSA website, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office.
What Happens After You Apply for Disability?
The disability application process has five possible stages, as follows:
Stage 1: Disability Application
The initial application stage may take 6 to 8 months, though some claims are processed more quickly. Having a complete, well-prepared application with the needed documentation may help speed the process. After you file, the SSA will likely schedule a consultative exam to get more information.
Stage 2: Reconsideration (First Appeal)
If your disability application is denied, you have 60 days to file for reconsideration or first appeal. Your case will be reviewed again, and a decision will be made typically within approximately seven months.
Stage 3: Administrative Law Judge Hearing (Second Appeal)
If your reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request a second appeal hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where you can present your case in person or via video conference. It may take 8 to 18 months on average, though it can exceed 2 years to get a hearing scheduled and a decision if there is a backlog of cases at your local hearing office.
Working with a disability advocate increases your changes of approval or a successful appeal. Schedule a free consultation now.
Stage 4: Appeals Council Review (Third Appeal)
If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you have 60 days to request a review by the Social Security Appeals Council, which may deny your request, send the case back to the judge, or, in some rare cases, reverse the decision. Again, since there are several outcomes at this stage, it can take months to more than a year.
Stage 5: Federal Court (Fourth Appeal)
Your final level of appeal if the council denies your request or its decision is unfavorable is to file a lawsuit in federal district court. The timeline of this legal process depends on the court’s schedule and may take a year or longer.
Tips for a Successful Application
To improve your chances of approval, avoid these common mistakes when you file for disability.
- Before applying, use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool on the SSA website to see if you qualify for SSDI benefits and get valuable information about your eligibility.
- Providing incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent personal, work, or medical information. Check all of your details!
- Not providing enough medical evidence, getting regular medical treatment, or telling your doctors you’re applying for disability. They’re on your team!
- Minimizing or exaggerating your disability. Being honest is the best course.
- Missing appeals deadlines or not responding quickly to SSA requests for additional information. Keep an eye on your “my Social Security” account.
- Not following the doctor’s orders. Get the advised care for your wellness and claim.
- Applying too soon, before the condition is expected to last a year, or waiting too long when it's difficult to gather the needed medical information and work history.
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
In addition to the common mistakes above, applications are often denied if:
- Your medical records don’t clearly show how your condition prevents you from working.
- Your application statements and records are contradictory.
- You fail to attend a scheduled Consultative Exam.
- You apply again instead of appealing.
- You don’t seek assistance when you need it.
This is where Advocate comes in. We help you fill out the disability application, gather strong medical evidence, and appeal if necessary.
If you need assistance but are worried about the cost, our disability experts don’t cost anything upfront. You only pay if you win.
Learn more and get help today.
How to Appeal If Your Application is Denied
You can appeal if your SSDI or SSI application is denied. As mentioned in the application stages above, you’ll typically have 60 days from the day you get the denial notice to file a written request. The SSA will direct you to file your written request online or by mail.
Get Help with Your Disability Application
The process for getting disability is long and often frustrating. You can find answers to many common questions in our blog. You can also get safe and secure help by partnering with Advocate. Contact Advocate for a free 15-minute consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is available if you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes; eligibility is based on your work history and earnings record. If you have limited income and resources, SSI is based on need, not work history.
How do I qualify for SSDI benefits?
You must have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least a year or is expected to result in death, and have enough work credits. For SSI, you must meet specific income and resource limits.
How long does the Social Security disability process take?
As mentioned above, you may not get an initial decision for six to eight months. The appeals process can take much longer.
What medical conditions qualify for disability insurance?
The SSA doesn’t have a list of qualifying conditions, yet it lists many conditions and impairments in adults and children in its disability evaluation “Blue Book.” Learn more in our guide on common qualifying disability conditions.
What Not to Say When Applying for Social Security Disability?
It’s important to be honest and accurate when you’re applying for disability, yet don’t share information that’s not relevant to the disability that prevents you from working. Additionally, avoid statements like:
- I just don’t want to work.
- My doctor said I’m disabled.
- I can do light work or specific activities on a good day.
- I don’t take my medication regularly.
- I don’t go to the doctor because they don’t help.
How to Answer Questions on Disability Forms?
Answer questions on your disability forms concisely, factually, and consistently. You want your dates and information to be the same throughout your form(s).
How do You Describe Your Activities When Applying for Disability?
Provide detailed examples when you describe activities on your online application and cover a range of activities. Focus on your limitations, how long they last, and how often you’re limited. Talk about what you can or cannot do, with or without difficulty or pain. For example, “because of severe pain in my back, I can only stand for about 10 minutes or vacuum a small area before the pain is too intense.”
How Long Does It Take to Get Disability Benefits?
If you’re approved for disability insurance benefits quickly, you will still have a five-month waiting period before receiving benefit payments. The complexity of your application, mistakes, inaccuracies, or blank lines on forms may delay benefits for much longer.
Do I Need to Be Employed to Apply?
Typically, you are applying for SSDI because you cannot work due to a medical condition, so you do not need to be employed to apply. See Question 18 above for information about back pay.
Can I Apply Without a Lawyer or Representative?
You can apply without a lawyer or advocate, but you may want to consider getting help with this complicated process.
Questions about your eligibility? Talk to us.
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