Steps For Filing For Disability

Filing a disability claim requires a number of steps, and the gathering of a great deal of information. You can apply for disability through an attorney, on-line, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.

Before Filing

Before you take the time to file a disability claim, you should try and figure out if you are eligible. There are two basic questions that you need to answer:

• Is my disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death and is it severe enough to keep me from working?
• Do I meet Social Security's recent work requirements? (Based on your age, you have to have worked long enough and recently enough in a job where you paid Social Security taxes)

If you are not sure of the answers to these questions, particularly the second question, this would be a good time to contact a disability attorney and discuss your potential case. A disability lawyer who has successfully filed hundreds of claims can help you figure out if you "pass" the first two questions and what your alternatives might be if you don't.

Filing Your Application

Your application for Social Security disability benefits is actually made up of multiple forms which need to be filled out completely, accurately and submitted as a single cohesive package. The more information you are able to provide that is evidence of your disability the higher your chances are of success.

You will need to complete three forms to file your application:

1. Disability Application
2. Disability Report
3. Authorization to Release Information to Social Security

This is some of the information you will need in order to fill out the Disability Application and the Disability Report:

• W-2 Form or IRS 1040 from the most recent tax filing year
• Military Service Discharge for all active duty
• Social Security Number for yourself, your spouse and children under 18
• Bank account information if you want to set up Direct Deposit
• Full contact information for all doctors, hospitals and clinics that treated you
• Treatment dates for all visits/treatments associated with the disability
• Medication information including name of medication and dosage
• Dates for all lab and diagnostic tests, and which doctor referred you for which test
• Job history for your last 5 jobs, including dates of employment 
• Insurance company information if you have or filed for other disability insurance or worker's compensation

Children

If you are filing for a minor child, there are different forms that you need to fill out. You may also be able to get benefits for your adult, unmarried child if he or she was disabled before the age of 22.

Talk To An Attorney

An experienced disability attorney can be a powerful force working on your behalf to help you or your child receive the disability benefits that you are entitled to. Most offer no cost initial consultations, so if you want to file for disability with the least amount of hassle contact an attorney today.