Social Security Disability FAQ's

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If you have applied and been denied or are thinking of applying but aren't sure how to apply or are not familiar with the process you need representation. Unfortunately more than 68% of claims are initially denied. For this reason you need expertise on your side.

Disability is practiced on a contingency fee bases. Meaning, there is no cost to the claimant unless the representative wins the claim on your behalf and backpay is awarded. 

Social Security is set by statute. It is currently capped at 25% of any backpay awarded up to $6000.00 of that award. 

Veterans Disability Compensation claims are capped at what is considered to be reasonable and customary. This is 20% of any back pay awarded in the claim and cannot be more than 25%. 

There may be fees that the claimant is responsible for during the process. These fees would include things like the cost of purchased medical records or travel and lodging if incurred by the representative. You should be notified of any qualifying fees in advance and usually but not always these fees are minimal. 

You can apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older;
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record;
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death; and
• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, an appeal application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.

• Are between the ages of 18 and 65;
• Have never been married;
• Aren’t blind;
• Are a U.S. citizen residing in one of the fifty states, District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands;
• Haven’t applied for or received  SSI benefits in the past; and
• Are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance at the same time as your SSI claim. 

Here is what you need to do to apply for benefits online:

• Print and review the Adult Disability  Checklist
                  It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
• Complete the Disability Benefit Application.

• Your date and place of birth and Social Security number
• The name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate)
• Names and dates of birth of your minor children
• Your bank or other financial institution's Routing Transit Number and the account number, if you want the benefits electronically deposited

Information About Your Medical Condition

• Name, address and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application
• Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries or conditions:
  • Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals and clinics;
  • Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them; and
  • Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who sent you for them.

• The amount of money earned last year and this year 
• The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year
• A copy of your Social Security Statement
• The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968
• A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs
• Information about any workers' compensation, black lung, and/or similar benefits you filed, or intend to file for. These benefits can:
  • Be temporary or permanent in nature;
  • Include annuities and lump sum payments that you received in the past;
  • Be paid by your employer or your employer's insurance carrier, private agencies, or Federal, State or other government or public agencies; and
  • Be referred to as:
    1. Workers' Compensation;
    2. Black Lung Benefits;
    3. Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation;
    4. Civil Service (Disability) Retirement;
    5. Federal Employees' Retirement;
    6. Federal Employees' Compensation;
    7. State or local government disability insurance benefits; or
    8. Disability benefits from the military (This includes military retirement pensions based on disability but not Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits.)

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

• Birth certificate or other proof of birth;
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States;
• U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968;
• W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year;
• Medical evidence already in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors' reports, and recent test results; and
• Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers' compensation-type benefits you received.

SSA will accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.)

Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them.

• Provide confirmation of your application- either electronically or by mail.
• Review the application.
• Contact you if we need more information or documentation.
• Inform you if other family members may be able to receive benefits on your record, or if you may be able to receive benefits on another person’s record, such as your spouse or your parent.
• Process your application.
• Mail our decision to you.

• By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call us at TTY 1-800-325-0778.
• In person - Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/