Social Security Application Process – A Roadmap

The Social Security application process to receive benefits is long, confusing, and stressful. The process for getting Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits and the process for getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits start out differently, but progress the same way.

Social Security Application

If you believe you have enough work credits to apply for SSDI, that application process begins with an online application. Here is a link to the online application. The SSDI application asks several pages of questions including:

• Questions about you
• Your medical conditions
• Your physicians
• Your medications
• Work restrictions from your conditions

Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The initial application for SSI is a bit different. To apply for SSI, you must call and schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office to file an application. You can make an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will need to provide your address so the Social Security employee can guide you to the correct local office.

You can complete the SSI application in person, or over the phone, whichever is easier for you. Be sure to specify what kind of appointment you would like when you call. Once you have that appointment, make every effort to keep it.

The application process includes questions like to the SSDI application.  Questions include:

• Your medical conditions
• Your physicians
• Current medications
• Restrictions you face as a result of your conditions.

The Process Continues

Once you have completed the social security application process for either program, a disability examiner will review your application and your file.  They will also review your medical records and other important information.  Once that process is complete, they will make an initial determination on disability. Unfortunately, most of the claims at this stage are rejected.

Although every case is different, this stage can typically take 2-3 months to complete.

After the initial denial, you can request an appeal through a “Request for Reconsideration.” At this stage, you are asking the Social Security Administration to take a second look at your claim and “reconsider” its initial decision. At this stage, another disability examiner will review your claim and issue a decision. Again, at this stage, most of the claims are rejected. Request for Reconsideration usually takes about 2-4 months to get a decision on, and after that, about 18 months to get a hearing date from the date of request.

Rejected Two Times

If your claim is rejected again at the reconsideration stage, you can appeal again. This time you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. It is at this stage where you will have the first opportunity to meet with a disability decision maker face-to-face and explain your case.

This is the stage of the application process when an attorney will get involved. They can help ensure that your medical records are in order.  They can also make sure that your disabilities meet or equal a “listing,” helping to secure you benefits. You do not need to wait until this time to contact an attorney, however.  It is good to have that resource available to answer questions, and make sure that you are meeting deadlines.

While this stage has a higher rate of approval and success, Social Security benefits are still not guaranteed.

If the administrative law judge denies your claim, you still have hope. You may appeal your case to the Appeals Council.  This group will review the administrative law judge’s decision. They will determine whether the judge made an error.

If the Appeals Council rejects your social security application, you can take your case to the federal courts.