How to Apply for SSDI Benefits Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Are you disabled and unable to work and wondering whether you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance—or SSDI—benefits online?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better. In this video today, we’re going to talk about how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, benefits online.
Step 1: Visit the Official Social Security Website
First, you’ll want to make sure you are on the Social Security Administration’s official website at ssa.gov. There, you’ll be able to create a personal my Social Security account.
Step 2: Review the Eligibility Requirements
After you’ve created the account, you’ll want to log in and review the eligibility requirements for SSDI benefits to confirm that you meet the criteria for disability and for the work credits.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Information
Before you submit the application, gather all necessary information:
- Personal details
- Medical records
- Doctor contact information
- Work history
Step 4: Start Your Application Online
Once you have the information, then you can go ahead and start the application by logging into your my Social Security account and beginning the SSDI application process.
Follow the step-by-step instructions online with Social Security to fill out the application form accurately and thoroughly, directly online with the Social Security Administration.
Step 5: Provide Detailed Medical Information
When you’re filling out the application, you’ll want to provide detailed information about your medical condition, your medical treatment, and the way it impacts your ability to function on a daily basis.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Before you submit, carefully review all of the information that you have put into the application to ensure that it is both accurate and complete. Then you can submit the application online.
Step 7: Follow Up with Additional Documents
Once your application is submitted, you may need to mail necessary documents or take the documents directly to the local Social Security office, including medical records or work-related documents, as requested directly by Social Security.
Step 8: Application Review Process
After you’ve done all of that, Social Security will begin to review your application. They will begin to request your medical records, and they may request additional information from you in the interim, including:
- Information in the Adult Function Report
- Supplemental questionnaires
- A third-party report, and things like that
They will also often let you know if they have difficulty obtaining medical records from one or more of your providers.
Step 9: Wait for the Initial Decision
After they’ve had a chance to review all of the evidence gathered after the submission of your application, the adjudicator and the doctors that work for Social Security will issue the initial decision—an initial finding of disabled or not disabled.
If they initially approve your application, then that’s wonderful, and your process will stop there. If they deny the application for medical reasons—but you still believe that you are disabled and unable to work—you can certainly begin the appeals process at that time.
Thanks so much for watching!
If you’re disabled and unable to work, we’re here to help. Click this scheduling link or call us directly to schedule a free consultation where we’ll discuss your case and see how we can help you.
