Information Needed For SSDI Application

The SSA will want to know a lot of information once you begin your application for benefits. SSDI and SSI are very similar, but it is important to know what you need to supply for each category to have the best chance of successful application. SSDI will focus mainly on your work history and disability, while SSI will ask for similar information in addition to your financial situation. Keep track of the information you provide so you can find it again or provide additional information if needed. 

Information for Social Security Disability Insurance

The SSDI application measures whether you have worked long enough to receive benefits and whether your disability qualifies you. This will require you to detail your work and medical history. In terms of your work history, this will include documentation to show the following: 

• Your most recent W-2
• Last year’s tax return (if you’re self-employed)
• Name and contact for your employer 
• Bank account information 

In addition to information about work, the SSA will want to know about your disability. For a disability to qualify someone for benefits, it must last longer than 12 months or ultimately result in death. The SSA will be looking for documentation that proves your disability, plus any future hardship caused by the medical issue. The information that they are looking for includes the following: 

• Contact information for your doctors
• Your medications, including dosages (both past and present) 
• Treatments you have done
• Imaging that matters for your disability 
• Lab results 

In recent times, the SSA has been able to access medical records electronically. This significantly reduces the time it takes for your application to be reviewed, as your file will be completed much faster. This is only available when your doctor’s office has a medical filing system that allows it, so there is a chance that you will have to work with your doctor to fax everything applicable to your case to the appropriate office(s)/people. 

In addition to your personal information, you will also need to supply information about anyone living in your household. The SSA will ask for the names and social security numbers of anyone in your household in case they qualify for benefits or impact your ability to obtain SSDI. It is vital to provide everything that is asked of you so you can begin getting benefits or, if you’re denied, you can begin the appeals process as soon as possible to stay within the 60-day deadline. 

Information for Supplemental Security Income

Applying for SSI will require much of the same information that SSDI asks for but with a different emphasis on what is significant. There will be less focus on your work history, but it will still be evaluated. If you are applying for SSI due to a disability, you will need to provide the same information that is required for SSDI. While SSI is similar to its counterpart, it is not the same, and you will likely be required to provide more information here than for SSDI. 

Supplemental Security Income differs from SSDI in that it requires a showing of financial need in addition to what qualifies you (i.e., age and/or disability). Much of the documentation will overlap between SSI and SSDI, but SSI generally will require more specific information. To show that you need SSI, you will be asked to show any applicable documentation to show financial hardship, like: 

• Routing and account number for bank account
• Paystubs from any recent work 
• Life insurance policies over $1500
• Vehicles in your name 
• Personal property 

There are certain things that the SSA does not count toward your assets. This includes burial plots, life insurance policies under $1,500, the home you live in (including the land it is on), wedding rings, and things of this nature. When reporting your assets, remember that the SSA sets the resource limit for an individual at $2,000 and $3,000 for a couple. This means that the first $2,000 of resources (for an individual) is not counted against you. If you decide to sell assets over the resource limit because you were denied, you may begin getting benefits once you start selling. 

Contact a Local Attorney

Finding this information seems daunting, but most of it is already at your disposal. Gathering it will require attention to detail and organization in case of any mistakes or if you are asked to provide new information later on in your case. If this task is too much for you or quickly gets out of hand, ask for help! You can make an appointment with an SSA representative or ask a loved one to help you. A local attorney can offer help with your application, so contact us for help with your benefits today!