how to claim disability benefits

^{What other ways can I file my disability claim?}

• By mail. File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).
• In person. Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.
• With the help of a trained professional. You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation.

What conditions automatically qualify you for disability?

• Schizophrenia
• PTSD for veterans and others experiencing trauma
• Autism and Aspergers in some cases
• Severe diagnosed depression
• Diagnosed mood disorders

What you should know before you apply for Social Security disability benefits?

^{Here are three of the key factors we use to determine if you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits:}

• You must have a lasting medical condition so severe that it prevents you from doing the work that you did in the past or adjusting to other types of work;
• Your physical or mental impairment (s) must have lasted or be expected to last at least a year or result in death; and
• You must have worked long enough — and recently enough — in jobs covered by Social Security.

How much can I make and still receive disability benefits?

Publications

• Disability Benefits
• What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits
• How We Decide if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability
• Working While Disabled: How We Can Help
• Employment Networks in Social Security's Ticket To Work Program
• Your Ticket To Work

How to know if you are eligible for disability benefits?

• Were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
• Were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or
• Served prior to September 7, 1980

What conditions are considered a disability?

The legal definition of “disability” states that a person can be considered disabled if they are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medical or physical impairment or impairments which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of ...

How do they determine what you get for disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine your payment based on your lifetime average earnings before you became disabled. Your benefit amount will be calculated using your covered earnings. These are your earnings at jobs where your employer took money out of your wages for Social Security or FICA.

What are typical disability benefits?

The average disabled-worker benefit is about $1,236 a month, and 90 percent of beneficiaries get less than $2,000 a month. Most beneficiaries — especially unmarried ones — rely on SSDI for most of their income. SSDI benefits replace about half of past earnings for a median beneficiary.

What problems can you get disability for?

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security Listing of Impairments - Adult Listings (Part A)1.00. Musculoskeletal Disorders.2.00. Special Senses and Speech.3.00. Respiratory Disorders.4.00. Cardiovascular System.5.00. Digestive System.6.00. Genitourinary Disorders.7.00.8.00. Skin Disorders.More items...

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

Can you work while on disability?

Can You Work While on SSDI? Generally, SSDI recipients can't do what's considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and continue to receive disability benefits. In a nutshell, doing SGA means you're working and making more than $1,350 per month in 2022 (or $2,260 if you're blind).

How much disability would I get?

Calculating Benefit Payment Amounts. Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) depends on your annual income. It is estimated as 60 to 70 percent of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date and up to the maximum WBA. Note: Your claim start date is the date your disability begins.

How much can u make on disability?

How Much Money Can You Make on Social Security Disability? You can make up to $1,350 (or $2,260 if you are blind) in 2022 on Social Security Disability or your benefits will stop, which is known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

Does disability pay more than Social Security?

In general, SSDI pays more than SSI. Based on data from 2020: The average SSDI payment is $1,258 per month. The average SSI payment is $575 per month.

What are the top 10 disabilities?

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...

What is the average time to get approved for disability?

about 3 to 5 monthsGenerally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.

Is a medical condition a disability?

If your medical condition, or its equivalent, is on SSA's Listing of Impairments, then you're generally considered disabled and therefore eligible to receive SSA disability benefits. If your medical condition is not on the list, you may still be eligible under other SSA guidelines.

Who Can Apply For Adult Disability Benefits Online?

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: 1. Are age 18 or older; 2. Are not currently receiving benefits on your...

How Do I Apply For Benefits?

Here is what you need to do to apply for benefits online: 1. Print and review the Adult Disability Checklist It will help you gather the informatio...

What Information Do I Need to Apply For Benefits?

We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier.

Information About Your Work

1. The amount of money earned last year and this year 2. The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year 3. A copy of your Soc...

What Documents Do I Need to provide?

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as: 1. Birth certificate or other proof of birth; 2. Proof of U.S. citizens...

What Are The Advantages of Applying Using Our Online Disability Application Process?

Our online disability application process offers several advantages. You can: 1. Start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait...

What Happens After I Apply?

After we receive your online application, we will: 1. Provide confirmation of your application- either electronically or by mail. 2. Review the app...

What Other Ways Can I Apply?

You can also apply: 1. By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you ca...

What is the work incentive for Social Security?

There are also a number of special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, ...

When do child benefits stop?

The child's benefits normally stop at age 18 unless he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or high school (benefits can continue until age 19) or is disabled.

Can you do work you did before?

You cannot do work that you did before because of your medical condition. You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. This is a strict definition of disability.

Does Social Security pay for partial disability?

Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if all of the following are true: You cannot do work that you did before because of your medical condition.

How do I apply for disability benefits?

You can apply for Disability benefits online, or if you are unable to complete the application online, you can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

How long does it take to get SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.

When will I get my ALS disability?

There is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020. We pay Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.

How You Apply

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. If you are ready to apply now, you can:

More Help For Filing Your Claim

Our Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Starter kits are available in English or Spanish for adults and children under age 18.

If Your Application Is Denied

After we review your application and the information you provided, we may decide you do not meet the qualifications for disability benefits.

How old do you have to be to apply for disability?

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and. Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.

What is a copy of Social Security?

A copy of your Social Security Statement. The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs.

What is federal employee compensation?

Federal Employees' Compensation; State or local government disability insurance benefits; or. Disability benefits from the military (This includes military retirement pensions based on disability but not Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits.)

How do I apply for SSI?

How to Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Adults can apply for SSI by phone, in person at a local Social Security office, or in some cases online. To apply for SSI for a child, you can start the process online but will need to complete it either in person or by phone.

How long does disability last on Social Security?

To qualify for either program, you must meet SSA’s definition of disability : You’re unable to do substantial gainful activity (work) Your disability is expected to last for at least one year or result in death. Your impairment is on Social Security’s list of disabling medical conditions.

What is SSDI for spouse?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI) is for people who have become disabled after earning enough Social Security work credits within a certain time. Your spouse or former spouse and your children may be eligible for benefits when you start getting SSDI. You can apply for SSDI benefits online, by ...

How long does a disability policy last?

Types of Disability Policies. There are two types of disability policies. Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year. Long-term policies may pay benefits for a few years or until the disability ends. Employers who offer coverage may provide short-term coverage, long-term coverage, or both.

How long does it take to get SSDI?

You can apply for SSDI benefits online, by phone, or in person . If your application is approved, you’ll have a five-month waiting period for benefits to start. If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision.

Is SSI a Social Security benefit?

SSI is not Social Security. Although the names sound similar and the Social Security Administration runs the program, it does not fund SSI.

Does Social Security Disability help financially?

If you have a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income may help financially. To find out if you’re eligible for either program, use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. Open All +.

You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic

Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time. Go to our coronavirus FAQs

What evidence will I need to provide to support my claim?

You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents, such as:

Should I submit an intent to file form?

If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date).

What happens after I file my VA disability claim?

You don’t need to do anything while you’re waiting unless we send you a letter asking for more information. If we schedule exams for you, be sure not to miss them.

More information about filing disability claims

Learn about standard claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more.