How to Prepare to Apply for Social Security Disability

Takeaways

• Preparing to apply for Social Security disability benefits involves understanding the two main programs (SSDI and SSI) and the SSA’s strict definition of disability.
• The SSA’s Adult Disability Starter Kit provides a checklist, worksheet, and fact sheet to help applicants organize personal, medical, and employment information, increasing the chances of a successful application.

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, you may choose to apply for Social Security disability benefits. The federal government provides income to individuals with disabilities through two programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), for people who paid into the program though taxes on earned income, and
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for those with limited income and resources

The Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that roughly 8.3 million disabled workers and their dependents received SSDI in 2024. Meanwhile, just shy of 5 million disabled people under 65 received SSI benefits, per the SSA.

Disability Benefits Application Process

Applying for disability benefits is a comprehensive process. An applicant must meet the SSA’s strict definition of disability. It defines a qualifying disability as a physical or mental impairment that:

• Will last at least 12 months or result in death; and
• prevents the individual from performing substantial gainful activity

To receive SSDI, an applicant needs to have earned enough credits through their work history. For SSI, they must meet strict income and resource limits.

Applying for SSDI or SSI involves compiling records and information, preparing an application, and undergoing an interview. Unfavorable decisions can also be appealed.

In 2024, the SSA rejected more than 60 percent of initial disability benefits applications. Preparing to apply for Social Security disability can be crucial to avoiding this and successfully securing benefits.

Adult Disability Starter Kit

The SSA’s Adult Disability Starter Kit offers a checklist, worksheet, and fact sheet to help prospective applicants organize information and prepare to apply for disability benefits. These tools provide insights into what to expect people with disabilities can expect during the application process as well as help them or their family members compile and organize key records and information.

Checklist

The checklist outlines the documents and information the SSA will request during the application process, including personal, medical, and employment history information.

Personal information you will need to apply includes:

• Your birthdate and Social Security number
• Marital status and history
• Account numbers for benefits deposits
• Information about workplace injuries, if you were injured at work
• The names and addresses of two people who are not medical professionals and who know about your experience and can support your benefits claim

Medical information is another key part of your application. The checklist prompts you to prepare the following:

• Health care provider contact information
• List of your medications
• Past or scheduled medical tests
• Medical records you already have in your possession

Note that you do not need to request missing medical records or pay providers for them. The SSA will do this for you using the health care provider contact information that you provide.

The third section on the SSA’s checklist pertains to jobs, education, and training, including:

• the jobs you had in the five years before you became unable to work, including dates and hours
• Highest level of education and institution
• Any special education
• Any specialized vocational training (i.e., trade school), including when and where you received the training

Worksheet

In addition, the Adult Disability Starter Kit offers a worksheet to help you organize some of the information cited in the checklist.

Using the worksheet, you can gather details on the following prior to applying:

• Medical conditions
• Providers
• Medications and what they treat
• Medical tests
• Job history

The worksheet is optional but can be a helpful organizational tool to prepare to apply.

Fact Sheet

Finally, the Adult Disability Starter Kit’s fact sheet details key things to know before applying for Social Security disability benefits, including the following:

• The SSA determines if you are disabled per its strict definition of disability.
• While your doctor may say you are disabled, ultimately the SSA decides whether you meet its disability criteria.
• Applications and interviews take about an hour. Be prepared to answer numerous questions about yourself, your condition, and your work.

You could receive SSI or SSDI benefits, depending on your circumstances. Since SSI decisions consider your finances, you may be asked questions about your income, living arrangements, and resources such as bank accounts, vehicles, and property.