Your Social Security Statement is an important tool in applying for Social Security disability benefit. The statement provides a year by year listing of your earnings and an estimate of your retirement and disability benefits.
Social Security used to mail the statement annually, about three months before your birthday. As of 2011, Social Security no longer mails out the Social Security Statement, except to workers 60 or over who are not yet receiving benefits. However as of May 1, 2012, you can request a statement online.
If you are not able to confirm your identity via the Social Security website, you can also request a “SEQY” (which lists your earnings) from your local Social Security office. You can then use the information in the SEQY with the online Social Security calculators to obtain an estimate of your Social Security disability benefits and Social Security retirement benefits.
07/05/12 UPDATE: A reader inform me that once you apply for Social Security disability benefits, Social Security locks you out of requesting an online Social Security statement the monthly benefit amount is no longer available, however you can still view your earnings. The only recommendation I can offer is to request the Social Security statement before you apply (if possible). Anyone else having this problem?
Disclaimer: This is NOT legal advice. This site provides general information about Social Security disability cases in Colorado. To discuss your particular circumstances, please contact a lawyer in your area. Please review the full disclaimer .
