How do I check that status of my Social Security disability case?
Social Security takes a long time to process disability benefit cases. Here is how to check the status of your claim.
Initial applications for disability benefits:
Social Security has a webpage at http://ssa.gov/claimstatus/ which lets you check your status. Unfortunately, you will probably receive this message:
The following statements are informational only. They are current as of today. You will receive the official notice of any decision made on your claim by U.S. mail. As of today’s date, a decision has not been made on your application. If you need more information, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). SSA representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other than confirming that there is a claim pending, this doesn’t tell you very much. Fortunately, you can get more information by calling Social Security directly.
Expedited Processing for Social Security Disability Benefits for for Wounded Warriors
Wounded veterans can get faster expedited processing of their Social Security disability benefit cases (Disability Insurance – DIB, and supplemental security income – SSI) under the Wounded Warrior program.
Note: Social Security disability benefits may be in addition to any benefits paid by the VA.
To have the case flagged under this program (and receive critical case / dire need
You can’t get Social Security disabilty benefits if you do not apply
To quote an old lottery slogan, “you can’t win, if you don’t play.” It may seem obvious, but you cannot receive Social Security disability benefits if you do not apply.
If fact, many Social Security regulations about Social Security eligibility start with this simple requirement:
Step 1: You apply.
As I have written about before, Social Security uses the protected filing date (PFD) to decide how …
15 pages decides your Social Security disability case?
San Francisco disability attorney Geri Kahn wrote about her experiences with providing records to Social Security:
Before filing a new initial claim I always order the records and then submit them directly to the Social Security field office immediately after I have filed the claim electronically. I recently was at an interview in one of the field offices in San Francisco and the claims representative told me that he could not accept the records I was submitting because he was only permitted to fax 15 pages to the state agency disability examiner.
Since you need to prove that you are unable to …
How long does it take to get a decision in a Social Security disability case?
How long after you complete your application for Social Security disability benefits (or Supplemental Security Income – SSI benefits), does it take to get a decision?
In Colorado where I practice, it usually takes between four and six months after you apply to get the initial decision. Sometimes, Social Security will describe this as between 120 and 180 days.
Save yourself a trip to Social Security – Use SSA Online!
Before you put yourself through the drudgery of going down to your local Social Security office, check the Social Security website to see if you can take care of your problem without going in.
There are a lot of things you can take care of online.
Tips when going to the Social Security Administration office
I hear a lot of horror stories about going to the Social Security office.
If you need to go to the Social Security office to get a replacement card, change your name, or try to straighten something out with SSA, here are a few tips:
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool checks if you can get Social Security
If you wonder if you are eligible for Social Security benefits, Social Security has an interactive website to help you answer this question.
Visit Social Security’s BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool).
BEST checks if you are eligible for the following benefits:
Medicare
Social Security Disability
Social Security Retirement
Social Security Survivors
Special Veterans
Supplemental Security Income
Have you tried BEST, share your experiences in the comments!
What you should know before you apply for children’s SSI disability benefits
Social Security has a fact sheet answering common questions about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for disabled children:
How does Social Security decide if a child is disabled?
How can I get ready for the disability interview?
How does Social Security decide if a child can get SSI?
How will I know what Social Security has decided?
Will my personal information be kept safe?
What if I am more comfortable speaking in a language other than English?
The fact sheet also has information about:
Medicaid.
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Other Health Care Services.
Work Opportunities for Young People Who Are Getting SSI.
You can get the factsheet as a pdf here.
How to apply for Social Security disability benefits
There are several ways to start an application for Social Security benefits:
At your local Social Security office
While this make take the longest amount of time (depending on the wait times at your local office), applying in person has the advantage of having a live person to ask to if you have a question. The downside of applying in person is that if you are missing a critical piece of information, you may not be able to complete the application.
If you need help finding your local Social Security office, click here.
Online
If you prefer …
What documents do you need to apply for Social Security?
Do you know what to bring to your interview when applying for Social Security?
Here is the list of information Social Security will need:
What do I need to apply for Social Security disability?
Do you know what to bring to your interview when applying for Social Security?
Here is the list of information Social Security will need:
Medical Information including the names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals and clinics. Your patient ID number(s), dates seen.
Name(s) of medicine(s) you are taking.
Any medical records you have.
An original or certified copy of your birth certificate. If you were born in another country, Social Security also needs proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.
If you were in the military service, the original or certified copy of your military discharge papers (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty.
If you worked, your W-2 Form …
When should I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
Are you struggling with working because of physical or psychological impairments? Have you stopped working because you just could no longer do the job?
You may be going back and forth on whether to apply for Social Security:
Maybe I will get better. But, what will I do if I am not able to go back to work?
Filing for Social Security benefits is not something to rush in to. But, if you are disabled, you should file as soon as you can.
If you wait, you may lose several critical advantages.
What you should know before you apply for Social Security disability benefits
Did you know that Social Security has a fact sheet on “What You Should Know Before You Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits?”
How does Social Security decide if I am disabled?
My doctor says I am disabled. Is that enough to qualify me for disability benefits?
I am getting disability payments from my job or another agency, can I automatically get Social Security disability benefits?
How long does it take to make a decision?
Can I do anything to speed up the process?
How does Social Security make the decision?
If Social Security decides that I am disabled, what type of benefits can I receive?
Can I apply for disability benefits online?
Will my personal information …
Am I disabled? Should I apply for Social Security benefits?
A lot of people ask me how Social Security decided if they are disabled.
I can’t do the work I have done for 35 years. Am I disabled?
I stopped working to take care of a family member, but now I am sick. Am I disabled?
I got hurt at work, then they fired me. I keep applying for jobs, but there just isn’t much work around here. Am I disabled?
The doctor tells me I will probably need serious surgery later on. Am I disabled?
I will need to be on medication for the rest of my life. Am I disabled?
Social Security focuses on ability to work to test for disability.
Under the Social Security system, in order to be disabled you have to have a physical or psychological impairment that is expected to keep you from being able to engage in a “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) – typically some type of full time work, for 12 months or longer. Or, simply put: do you have a condition that keeps you from being able to work?
