There are currently 700,000 people waiting for a hearing. You might consider having an attorney work with you on your initial claim for this reason.

Most applicants fail to provide sufficient medical evidence that prove a disability that IMPAIRS THEIR ABILITY TO WORK.

Social Security requires that you must be physically or mentally unable to perform “any” substantial work and have a medical condition that’s lasted or is expected to last at least a year or result in death.

You must also have worked five out of the last 10 years and be under full retirement age.

Financial and medical information for the application process:

  • Social Security number
  • birth certificate
  • names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, hospitals and clinics
  • dates of your visits
  • names and dosage of all the medicine you take
  • medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals and clinics
  • lab and test results
  • documents stating your physician’s objective view of your condition, restrictions and limitations
  • a summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did
  • a copy of your most recent W-2 Form
  • if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year

How to apply

You can apply either online at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability, or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the phone.

Three to Five Month Wait

It takes three to five months from the initial application to receive either an award or an initial denial of disability benefits.

Only Exception to Three to Five Month Wait

The only exception is if you have a chronic illness that qualifies you for a “compassionate allowance,” (see www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances) which fast-tracks cases within 10 days.

A HEARING: A backlog of over 700,000 people currently waiting for a hearing means it could take one to two years for your hearing.

Get help

If you are having trouble getting your applications in order or need help with your appeal, consider getting an attorney or a Social Security disability claims services company to represent you. A representative can charge you only if they’re successful in getting you benefits. If they do succeed, typical fees are 25 percent of past-due benefits or $6,000, whichever is less.