How to Apply For, Replace, Correct, or Change Your Name on Your Social Security Card
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When To Apply
You should apply as soon as you become disabled. However, Social Security disability benefits will not begin until the sixth full month of disability. This waiting period begins with the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.How To Apply
You can apply by calling our toll-free number,People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free "TTY" number,
What You Need
The claims process for disability benefits is generally longer than for other types of Social Security benefits, from 60 to 90 days. It takes longer to obtain medical information and to assess the nature of the disability in terms of your ability to work. However, you can help shorten the process by bringing certain documents with you when you apply and helping us to get any other medical evidence you need to show you are disabled. These include:- your Social Security number;
- your birth certificate or other evidence of your date of birth;
- your military discharge papers, if you were in the military service;
- your spouse's birth certificate and Social Security number if he or she is applying for benefits;
- your children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers if they are applying for benefits; and
- your checking or savings account information, so your benefits can be directly deposited;
- names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and institutions that treated you and dates of treatment;
- names of all medications you are taking;
- medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and caseworkers;
- laboratory and test results;
- a summary of where you worked in the past 15 years and the kind of work you did;
- a copy of your W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement), or if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year;
- dates of prior marriages if your spouse is applying
The documents presented as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence since we cannot verify their authenticity. Do not delay filing for benefits just because you do not have all of the information you need. The Social Security office will be glad to help you.
If you are applying for Supplemental Security Income benefits you also need the following:
- information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or your lease and landlord's name;
- payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, car registration, burial fund records, and other information about your income and the things you own;
How We Determine Disability
You should be familiar with the process we use to determine if you are disabled. It's a step-by-step process involving five questions. They are:- Are you working? If you are and your earnings average more than $500 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled.
- Is your condition severe? Your impairments must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered.
- Is your condition found in the list of disabling impairments? We maintain a list of impairments for each of the major body systems that are so severe they automatically mean you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, we have to decide if it is of equal severity to an impairment on the list. If it is, your claim is approved. If it is not, we go to the next step.
- Can you do the work you did previously? If your condition is severe, but not at the same or equal severity as an impairment on the list, then we must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did in the last 15 years. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, your claim will be considered further.
- Can you do any other type of work? If you cannot do the work you did in the last 15 years, we then look to see if you can do any other type of work. We consider your age, education, past work experience, and transferable skills, and we review the job demands of occupations as determined by the Department of Labor. If you cannot do any other kind of work, your claim will be approved. If you can, your claim will be denied.
Some publications online that will give you more information on disability benefits:
© 1999 Social Security Administration
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