How to Apply for SSDI
There are three ways how to apply for SSDI. You can apply for SSDI online as someone with a disability at the Social Security Administration’s application page. You can also apply in person at your local Social Security office or by telephone at 1-800-772-1213 or TTY at 1-800-325-0778. However, follow the tips below to support your benefits claim.
1. Make sure you fully complete the application.
Before starting your application, make sure you have gathered all of the necessary documents and are prepared. Review the Disability Checklist and make sure to gather all of the information and supporting documents on it before you fill out your application.
You should also make sure that you have your medical information ready. You will need to provide a lot of information about your medical condition; the hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics where you have received treatment; and the names of each healthcare provider and doctor who has been involved in your treatment.
You will also need to provide information about the jobs you have held for the past 15 years and the level of education and career training you have received.
2. Gather your medical records.
Many SSDI applications are denied because of insufficient medical evidence. It is a good idea to gather your medical documentation and records before you start your application. It is better for you to get your records from your doctor’s office than to wait for the Social Security Administration to request them. Even after you have completed your application, continue gathering more medical evidence to support your claim whenever you receive additional treatment, exams, or lab work.
3. Ask your doctor to provide a statement.
It might be helpful for you to ask your doctor to give you a written statement about your condition and how it affects your ability to work. If you ask your doctor to complete the Social Security Administration’s Residual Functional Capacity Form for you, it might help your application.
4. Log your communications.
Make sure to log any communications you have with the Social Security Administration about the status of your claim. Whenever you contact someone at the SSA about your claim or other important information, make sure to write down the representative’s name, phone number, the date, and what you were told. Making sure to track the status of your application can help you avoid missing deadlines. For example, if your initial application for SSDI is denied, you will have a limited time to file an appeal. If you miss the window, you will have to restart the application process.
5. Make sure to follow all of your recommended treatments.
Whenever your doctor recommends treatments and follow-up appointments, you need to follow his or her recommendations. Keep all of your appointments, take the medications that you are prescribed as ordered, and follow your doctor’s other recommendations for lifestyle changes. When you can show that you have attended regular medical appointments, it can add more support to your claim. The SSA might deny your claim if it sees that you are not following your doctor’s recommendations and have stopped seeking treatment. If you have trouble affording your medical appointments, consider seeking care at a free medical clinic.
6. File an appeal if you are denied.
The majority of initial SSDI applications are denied. If your application is denied, your denial letter will include the reasons why it was denied and a deadline for filing an appeal. Bring your letter to your attorney’s office for help with filing your appeal. Your attorney can review your application and the supporting documents in your file and help you identify additional types of evidence that might support your claim.
The experienced disability attorneys at Ellis & Associates are prepared to help you with your SSDI application or your appeal. Call Ellis & Associates for a free consultation at 800-MR-ELLIS.