The Social Security Administration assigns Social Security numbers, and administers the Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance programs. They also administer the Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, blind, and disabled. Show
Agency DetailsAcronym:SSA Website:Social Security Administration (SSA) Contact:Contact the Social Security Administration Local Offices:Find a Social Security Office Near You Main Address:6401 Security Blvd. Toll Free:1-800-772-1213 TTY:1-800-325-0778 Forms:Social Security Administration Forms Government branch:Independent Agency Popular Services from Social Security AdministrationRetirement Benefits Disability Benefits Get, Replace, or Correct a Social Security Card MySocialSecurity Online Account Social Security's Popular Baby Names Related Agency
There are several different ways you can file an initial application for disability benefits with the Social Security
Administration (SSA). If you have recently become disabled or already have a disabling condition that prevents you from working, you should apply for Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible. To start your application, you can do one of the following: You can apply by calling the Social Security Administration (SSA) at their toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call them at TTY 1-800-325-0778. Applying
over the telephone can be frustrating as an automated system will answer and you’ll likely be put on hold before getting you in contact with someone. A Social Security worker will ask you the questions on the application and will submit it once they are finished. You can apply online for disability benefits at www.ssa.gov. You will be able to answer all the questions yourself and can save the application in the middle of the process to come back to it later before
submitting it. Unfortunately there is no official online application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, but you can still apply through the same online application and a Social Security representative will contact you if he or she needs more information. You can apply in-person at your local Social Security office. It is recommended that you call ahead and make an appointment at your local office to avoid a long waiting time. To find your local office
in your state, check out our Social Security Offices page. Statistically 80% of initial applications are denied because of a simple mistake or technical error. Due to this, many applicants seek the assistance of a qualified disability advocate. A disability advocate is an experienced individual in the field of Social Security disability; they know how the
SSA functions, how to properly file an application, how to fight an appeal (if necessary) and how to get you approved for benefits. There are two different kinds of advocates: A disability lawyer and a disability non-attorney advocate. These individuals are lawyers and attorneys who have passed their state BAR and are certified legal attorneys. They can help applicants throughout the entire application process including the appeals council and federal
district court. They automatically qualify for direct pay from the SSA. These individuals are non-attorney professionals experienced in Social Security disability. They can help applicants apply for disability benefits and can guide them through the initial, reconsideration, and appeals hearing stages of the application process. However, non-attorney advocates cannot assist with the appeals council and federal district court stages. A qualified
non-attorney can receive direct pay if they pass a special examination given once a year by a third party organization and are personally approved by the SSA themselves. Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Who can apply for adult disability benefits online? You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: 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 You
Information About Your Medical Condition
Information About Your Work
What documents do I need to provide? We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:
ImportantWe accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate. (We will return them to you.) Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them. Mailing Your DocumentsIf you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents. If you do not want to mail these documents, you may bring them to a Social Security office. Do not mail foreign birth records or any documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), especially those you are required to keep with you at all times. These documents are extremely difficult, time-consuming and expensive to replace if lost. Some cannot be replaced. Instead, bring them to a Social Security office where we will examine them and return them to you. What are the advantages of applying using our online disability application process? Our online disability application process offers several advantages. You can:
What happens after I apply? After we receive your online application, we will:
Apply for Disability Return to a Saved Application Check Application Status Publications
Related Information
What about SSI?Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. Learn More... How do I apply for temporary disability in Arkansas?You can apply:. online at ssa.gov.. over the telephone by calling the SSA's customer service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). directly at your local Social Security field office. Find your local office here.. How much do you get for disability in New York State?Disability benefits are equal to 50 percent of the employee's average weekly wage for the last eight weeks worked, with a maximum benefit of $170 per week (WCL §204).
How do I find out my Social Security benefit amount?Most people can receive an estimate of their benefit based on their actual Social Security earnings record by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. You also can calculate future retirement benefits by using the Social Security Benefit Calculators at www.socialsecurity.gov.
What is the best time to call the SSA?Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter early in the day (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time) or later in the afternoon (between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time). We are also less busy later in the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in the month.
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