The Social Security Administration provides disability payments to more than 8 million Americans, primarily through Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. Applicants must be diagnosed with an injury or condition that prevents them from working for at least a year or is expected to result in their death.
Another form of disability benefit is Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which is funded by the Treasury Department but administered through the SSA. It aids individuals whose financial resources are below specified limits.
Being approved for either program requires substantial evidence and the process can take a considerable amount of time, usually involving an in-person or phone interview.
Here’s what you need to know to apply for Social Security disability benefits, including what is available and what conditions qualify.
How do I apply for Social Security Disability Insurance?
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. You can apply online, by calling 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office.
Whichever route you go, you’ll want to have the extensive documentation required at the ready — including detailed information about your condition and recent employment history.
To qualify for disability you cannot already be receiving Social Security benefits and must not have been denied disability benefits in the past 60 days.
When you apply, be patient: A majority of disability claims are denied at first and the appeals process can take months — or even years — to resolve. (Only 193,000 of more than 500,000 applicants’ claims were accepted in the first quarter of 2019, according to Social Security Administration.)
What conditions qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?
- There is no set list of approved disabilities, but the Social Security Blue Book, also known as Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, is an online directory of physical and mental health conditions that automatically qualify if you meet the stringent requirements for diagnosis.
For adults, they are broadly split into 14 categories.
- Blood disorders like sickle cell anemia, thrombosis and hemophilia
- Cancer, including Leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, breast cancer and prostate cancer
- Cardiovascular illnesses, such as congenital heart disease and heart failure
- Cognitive and mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, dementia, depression and intellectual disabilities
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems, such as non-mosaic Down syndrome
- Digestive system illnesses, such as bowel or liver disease
- Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
- Genitourinary disorders like chronic kidney disease
- Immune system diseases like HIV, inflammatory arthritis and lupus