What Information Do I Need When Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits?

To apply for disability benefits, you will need to complete an application for Social Security Benefits and the Disability Report.

Below is a list of things that the Social Security Administration recommends that you bring with you when you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

• Your Social Security number;
• Your birth or baptismal certificate;
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics that took care of you and dates of your visits;
• Names and dosage of all the medicine you take;
• Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession;
• Laboratory and test results;
• A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did; and
• A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year.

Applying for social security can often take months and sometimes years before benefits are awarded. You should not delay in applying for disability benefits. You may want to consider having a disability attorney handle your claim for you. Applying for social security disability can be very stressful; hiring a lawyer will lighten your burden and it will increase the chance of having your claim accepted.