SSDI & SSI Onboarding with Advocate: What We Need From You and What Happens Next

Starting a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim can feel like a lot, especially if you’re tired or in pain.

Advocate’s disability specialists can reduce your burden and relieve some stress. We know how to build a strong claim and avoid common mistakes that lead to delays and denials.

This article explains Advocate’s SSDI and/or SSI onboarding process, what we need from you to submit your disability claim, and what happens after submission.

Read on to learn what to expect when you partner with Advocate.

Quick Overview: SSDI and/or SSI Onboarding with Advocate in Five Steps

Here’s a quick look at Advocate’s SSDI and/or SSI onboarding process. Below, we discuss each step further.

1. You get an onboarding link by text that works on your phone or computer.
2. We collect the basics we need to build your claim.
3. You reach “Prospect Accepted” once the key items are complete.
4. Once accepted, we submit within 48 to 72 hours.
5. After submission, you get a welcome call and ongoing check-ins.

Step 1: You Get an Onboarding Link That Works on Your Phone

You will get a text message with an onboarding link. The link is designed to work on your phone so you can complete it from home, from a waiting room, or wherever you feel most comfortable. If typing is hard or you get tired quickly, you can do it in sections instead of all at once. If you get stuck, we can go through it together.

An Advocate team member can help you complete onboarding over the phone. That way, you don’t have to guess what a question is asking or worry about doing it wrong. If being on the phone is hard for you, we can pick a time when you have the most energy or talk to a family member while you’re present. We can also talk to another person about your claim without you present if you sign a third-party authorization form.

Step 2: We Collect the Basics to Build Your Claim

This step is about gathering the details that help us prepare your paperwork and avoid preventable delays. It helps if you have the information below, but you don’t need all of it to start. 

If you don’t remember exact dates, estimates are okay. It’s more important to get started than to have every detail or piece of evidence.

Here is what is helpful to have ready:

• Contact information including the best phone number to reach you
• Medical providers or clinics where you’ve been seen including names, locations, and approximate dates
• Medications you take, including names and doses if you know them
• Work history basics, including the jobs you’ve done and when you did them
• Any letters you receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA), so they are easy to share when needed

If this feels like a lot to pull together, do one category at a time. You don’t need to do everything in one sitting. You might start with clinic names and locations if that’s the easiest. If you need help remembering medication or treatment details, look at your pill bottles, pharmacy app, online patient portal, or discharge paperwork.

Your Role During and After Onboarding

Your part is simple, but it matters because it keeps your claim from stalling. We need you to give us major medical updates, like a new diagnosis, a hospital stay, or a new specialist. If you’re not sure if something is a major update, please send it anyway. It is better to share it than to worry about it. We also need to know if your contact information changes so we can reach you quickly.

Step 3: What “Prospect Accepted” Means

“Prospect Accepted” status means your contract is signed, your intake questions are answered, and we have the records needed. Once you reach this status, your file is ready to be submitted.

If you haven’t seen the “Prospect Accepted” status yet, it means we still need one of those main items. It’s often something simple like a question that needs to be answered or you haven’t signed the contract yet. If you’re unsure what is pending, ask and we’ll let you know what we need.

Step 4: Submitting Your SSDI and/or SSI Claim Within 72 Hours

Once you reach “Prospect Accepted” status, our team submits your claim within 48 to 72 hours. Our quick submission doesn’t make the SSA’s processing faster, however. A decision usually takes five to eight months.

If we take longer to submit your claim, it’s typically because we are fixing a mistake that would lead to confusion for the SSA. For example, we’ll correct conflicts in the record like dates that don’t match. If our team has a delay, we’ll tell you what’s pending and what we’re doing about it.

Learn what happens after the SSA gets your claim.

Step 5: Welcome Call and Check-ins After Submission

After your case is assigned, you’ll get a welcome call within 48 business hours. We want you to know your point of contact and how to reach them. We’ll also explain how updates and questions will be handled going forward.

If you miss our call, it’s okay. We know you have appointments and may need rest. Let us know the best time to reach you and if you prefer a text first. We want to make it easy for you to stay connected.

Ongoing Check-ins and How to Keep Things Moving

Ongoing check-ins are part of the process after submission. These check-ins help us stay  updated on your condition and treatment as well as share important information. Plus, we can answer your questions.

If you’re worried about missing something important after your claim is submitted, don’t be. We’ll keep you updated. Remember, your job is to be easy to reach and share updates with us. If you get mail about your claim, open it right away. Then, let us know what you received and we can answer your questions.

Identity Checks: Why We Ask Certain Questions

Some onboarding questions can feel personal. We need to confirm your identity so we know we’re talking to the right person. We will ask your mother’s maiden name as part of the onboarding identity checks. The SSA requires us to answer this question to represent you.

It’s fine to ask us about a specific question. We’ll explain what we need and why before you share personal details. If you don’t have an answer, tell us and we’ll move on to the next step.

Common SSDI and/or SSI Onboarding Questions

How long does onboarding take?

Onboarding time varies because everyone’s situation is different but it generally takes an hour or less. You can start with what you know and come back to fill in missing details. Once you reach “Prospect Accepted” status, our goal is to submit your claim within 48 to 72 hours. Then, you’ll get a welcome call within 48 business hours. If you want support while you complete onboarding, schedule a call with us so you are not doing it alone.

What if I don’t have all my documents or exact dates?

Start with what you have. Best estimates are okay and you can add details later. Focus on provider names, where you were seen, and a rough timeframe. That level of detail is often enough to keep onboarding progressing. If your memory is affected by your condition or medication, it can help to look at appointment reminders or a calendar.

What should I do with letters from Social Security?

Forward letters from the SSA to Advocate as soon as you receive them. Mail often includes deadlines or requests that need a response. You will usually get mail before we do, so sending it quickly helps us meet deadlines. If you’re not sure if a letter is important, send it anyway.

You can take a picture with your phone and email them to us if you don’t have a scanner.

Will someone help me if I get stuck?

Yes. An Advocate team member can help you complete onboarding over the phone. You can ask questions to avoid redoing steps later. If you have low energy, ask for help breaking it into smaller parts. 

Next Step: Start Your SSDI and/or SSI Onboarding with Advocate

Use the link we send you to start your SSDI and/or SSI onboarding with Advocate. If you feel tired, do one small section, then stop and come back when you can. If you want help, a team member can help you over the phone.

Ready to start your claim?