If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working, you may qualify for SSA (Social Security Administration) or disability benefits. Determined by your past earnings, disability benefits can help provide for you, your spouse and your children for the duration of your condition. To apply, you will need to furnish proof of your disability and how it has affected your employment. You may apply for benefits online, by phone or in person at your local SSA branch.

SSA Benefits Qualifications

You must meet the requirements for disability to receive SSA benefits. In general, successful applicants for disability benefits are disabled to the point that it limits their ability to earn a living. Also, your condition must last, or have the likelihood to last, at least one year. In addition, you must have worked at jobs covered by Social Security for at least a certain period of time, which will be determined by your age. For applicants who are currently working, average monthly earnings must be less than $1,000 per month to qualify for disability. In addition, check whether their disability is on the Social Security Administration's list of medical conditions. An unlisted disability does not necessary bar from applicants from receiving disability benefits; however, a determination will have to be made to decide if the unlisted condition is as severe as listed conditions.

Information Needed to Apply

Before applying, gather the necessary documents and medical information needed to prove disability. To verify your identity, you will need to provide your Social Security number and proof of your age by a birth or baptismal certificate. Also, you must furnish information about your work history, including what kind of work you've done and a copy of your most recent W-2 or federal tax return. You will also be asked for personal medical information relevant to your disability, including the names of your doctor(s), the dates and locations of any hospital stays, names and dosages of medications you're currently taking, medical records and any laboratory test results. In addition to your information, you will also need to provide identifying information for each spouse, child and other persons that will depend on your benefits if approved. All submitted documents must be originals or certified copies. The Social Security Administration will make photocopies and send back the originals.

Methods of Applying

The SSA provides several ways to apply for social security benefits. To apply online, visit the official SSA website at socialsecurity.gov. Forms can be completed and submitted completely online. To apply online, you will need Internet access, a computer that supports 128-bit encryption and Adobe Reader. If you cannot apply or do not feel comfortable applying online, you may also schedule an appointment to complete your application with the assistance of an SSA representative by phone at (800) 772-1213--or (800) 325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing. The call center is in operation Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. You may also apply in person at your local SSA office.

The Application Process

To apply, you will need to complete two forms, the Social Security Benefits application and the Adult Disability and Work History Report. The Social Security Benefits application will ask you basic, identifying personal information. On the Adult Disability and Work History Report, you will provide detailed information about your medical condition and educational and employment history. To avoid processing delays or denial, make sure to review each application for inaccuracies or incomplete information before submitting.

Approval

Your state SSA agency will review your application and determine your eligibility. This review process will take about three to five months. The agency will send its decision in a letter, which will also state the amount of benefits and when payments will start if you were approved for benefits. If you were denied, the letter will explain its decision and provide information about the appeals process. If approved, you will receive up to six months' of disability from the date it was determined you first became disabled.

Source:

Disability Benefits

How SSA Decides if You Are Disabled

Resource:

How ro Qualify

Disability benefits online application

Benefit calculators