Social Security

SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY PROGRAMS CAN HELP

The Social Security Administration makes disability payments under two programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance for workers (and their children or surviving spouses) who have Social Security coverage.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people with little or no income and resources.

DO YOU HAVE A DISABILITY?

• Adults must have a physical and/or mental problem that keeps them from working for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
• Children must have a physical and/or mental problem that prevents them from doing things that children the same age normally do.

HOW DO YOU START?

If you think you may be eligible for payments, call us at 1-800-772-1213 to file a claim, or contact your local Social Security office. If you want someone to help you, such as a family member, caseworker or other representative, that person may contact us for you.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO DO?

You will get a faster decision if you give us:

• Your Social Security number
  
• Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and caseworkers
  
• Laboratory and test results
  
• Names, addresses, phone and fax numbers of your doctors, clinics and hospitals
  
• Names of all medications you are taking
  
• Names of your employers and job duties for the last 15 years

If you are filing for a child, you also need school records regarding your child's disability.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't wait to file your claim for disability payments even if you don't have all this information.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

• We will send the information you give us to the disability determination agency in your state.
• Claims specialists and doctors there will:
  • review what you have given us, and make a decision if there is enough information,
    or
    
  • request any additional information they need, and if necessary, ask you to have an exam or special test at no cost to you.

We will then send you our decision. If we approve your claim, we will tell you your payment amount and when payments will start. If we deny your claim, we will tell you your appeal rights.

REMEMBER you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 if you have questions or need more information. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.