Filing a Social Security Disability Benefits Claim

It is extremely important to file your claim for Social Security disability benefits as soon as you become disabled, because there is a waiting period of five months after you file before you can begin receiving payments. The Social Security Administration imposes this waiting period to ensure that your disability is a lasting one, as required. If you wait a long time to file, you will be disappointed to learn that back payments are limited to the 12 months before the date on which you file.

You must file your claim at one of the Social Security Administration offices located in most cities, listed in the government section of the telephone book or through the ZIP Code search feature of the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov. If your disability prevents you from visiting a Social Security office, you can usually file your claim by mail or over the telephone. 

Documentation Required

Social Security staff will complete the forms and other paperwork necessary to file a disability claim. You will need to provide as much documentation as you can, including:

• medical information: names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals and clinics; patient ID numbers; dates you were seen; names of medicines you are taking; and medical records you have
• an original or certified copy of your birth certificate; if you were born in another country, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
• if you were in the military service, the original or a certified copy of your military discharge papers (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty
• if you worked, your W-2 form from last year, or if you were self-employed, your federal tax return (IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE)
• workers’ compensation information, including date of injury, claim number and proof of payment amounts
• Social Security numbers of your spouse and minor children
• your checking or savings account number, if you have them
• name, address, and phone number of a person to contact if the agency is unable to get in touch with you, and
• kinds of jobs and dates you worked in the 15 years before you became unable to work.

Admittedly, this is a fairly comprehensive list. Do the best you can—and do not put off applying or cancel a planned visit to the Social Security office if you don’t have it all in hand.

If you have dependents who may be eligible for benefits under your Social Security disability insurance claim, you will have to present similar documentation for them when you file your claim. (Or they can file their own claim.)

Some people may also be able to complete the application process online. To see whether you qualify, go to www.ssa.gov and click on ““What You Can Do Online.”

Determining Disability

The Social Security Administration will then investigate your claim—and will pay for any examinations and reports it requires to verify your claim. The Social Security staff will also help you with the paperwork and procedures required for payment if needed.

The results of those examinations and reports will usually be sent to your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency, which is responsible for determining whether or not you are considered sufficiently disabled to qualify for benefits. In some cases, the vocational rehabilitation office will conduct its own examination, tests, and personal interviews as well before giving the Social Security Administration a decision on your case.

The Social Security Administration provides emergency funds for disabled people who need financial help during the long waiting period while their claims are being processed. The Social Security employees handling your claim can give you details on how to qualify.

Calculating Benefits

Like other Social Security benefits, the amount of your monthly disability check is determined by your age and earnings record. The amount of your benefits will be based upon your average earnings for all the years you have been working—not just on the salary you were making most recently. Although the amount may be substantial, it alone will not equal your preinjury income.

Monthly payments for individuals qualifying for disability benefits average about $1,111. The average disability payment for a disabled worker, spouse, and chlid(ren) is $1,892 per month. There is also a yearly cost of living increase if the Consumer Price Index rises over 3% for the year. For those who first became disabled in 1982 or later, there is no minimum benefit amount.

Some people—generally only those with high total incomes—may have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security disability benefits. At the end of the year, you will receive a Social Security Benefit Statement showing the amount of benefits you received.

Your monthly check will be based entirely on your earnings record, with no consideration given to a minimum amount you may need to survive. If you receive only a small disability benefit, however, and you do not have a large amount of savings or other assets, you may be eligible for some other benefits in addition to your Social Security disability benefits.