Apply for Benefits

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you usually must be insured and have a disability.

However, there are a few situations where you may qualify for benefits even if you’ve never worked or don’t have a disability:

• If your disability began before you turned 22, you may qualify for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits.
• If you are 18 or younger, you may qualify for Child’s Benefits if one of your parents gets Social Security retirement benefits or disability insurance benefits, or is deceased.
• If your spouse or ex-spouse qualifies for SSDI benefits or Social Security retirement benefits, or qualified before dying, you may also qualify for benefits.

None of these benefits is automatic; you must apply for them at Social Security.

How to Apply

You can apply for SSDI benefits:

• Online (which starts the application process immediately instead of having to wait for an appointment)
• By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) to make an appointment to apply either:
  • Over the phone
  • In person at your local Social Security office.

Getting Your Application Ready

Get this information ready for your SSDI application:

• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics that have treated you medically and the dates of treatment
• Names of any medications you take
• Copies of any medical records you have
• Your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of your spouse and any children under the age of 18
• A certified copy of your birth certificate
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency (if you were born in another country)
• A certified copy of your military discharge papers (Form DD 214), if you were in the military
• Your most recent W-2 Form or, if you’re self-employed, your most recent tax return
• Information on any Workers’ Compensation you’ve gotten
• A summary of all your jobs during the past 5 years (names of jobs and dates of employment)

Social Security provides a detailed checklist of the information you need to complete the application process.

Other Benefits

It takes Social Security a while to decide whether you have a disability and, if you qualify, SSDI benefits don’t begin until five months after your disability began. If you are approved, you start getting cash benefits, but have to wait another two years before you automatically start getting Medicare health coverage.

While you are waiting for Social Security to review your application and then for Medicare to begin, you should see what else might help you. At first, try to use your job's sick pay or vacation pay and see whether your company has a short-term or long-term disability insurance plan.

Then, you can apply for other benefits, including:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a monthly cash benefit for people with disabilities who have low income and low resources. Unlike SSDI, you do not need to have worked in the past to get SSI. With SSI, you automatically qualify for Medicaid health coverage. Learn more in DB101’s SSI article.
• Medicaid, free health coverage for people with low to moderate income. Learn more in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.
• The Food Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), a monthly cash benefit for people with low income that helps pay for food. Learn more about Food Assistance Program.
• The Family Independence Program (FIP), a monthly cash benefit for families with children that also helps parents find work. Learn more about FIP and other cash assistance programs.
• State Disability Assistance (SDA), monthly cash assistance for adults with disabilities who have low income and low assets. Caretakers of a disabled person and seniors 65 years old or older may also qualify. Learn more about SDA.

You can apply for Medicaid, the Food Assistance Program, and FIP by using MIBridges or by going to your county human services agency and submitting a paper application.