Walking Through the Process

Step 1- Pursue SSI, If Applicable & Secure Employment

If the individual is interested in pursuing SSI (Social Security Disability benefits), complete those steps first.  SSDI can be pursued after or at the same time as applying for SSI.  

An individual may want to pursue SSI before SSDI because SSI beneficiaries will have already proven the 'qualifying disability' when it comes time to transition into SSDI benefits (more on that in Step 2).   If the individual is building their vocational skills in volunteer positions, applying for SSI first will allow them to establish a ‘qualifying disability’ with SSA and receive payments during the vocational learning period before transitioning to paid employment, which will help to prove Substantial Gainful Activity.   Then, after the individual has a stronger sense of their career path, they may want to pursue a competitive job and earn enough income to accumulate a Credit (more on that in Step 2).

Since SSDI is for individuals who have or are working a competitive job that pays into Social Security, the individual would need to apply for, secure, and maintain a competitive job for a period of time (more on how long that period of time would need to be in Step 2).

Step 2- Collect Credits & Check MySocialSecurity Account Online

If the individual has earned income from a competitive job, they can quickly find how many credits they have by setting up a MySocialSecurity account online.  The account set-up process will require entering and confirming the individual's sensitive information, so have this ready.  

After logging into their MySocial Security account, the main page will list how many credits the individual has earned.  

For an individual to earn 1 credit they need to have earned a gross income of $1640.00 in a 3-month period OR $6,560.00 in 1 year (for 2023).  A credit is earned based on the total income for the year, so while the individual can’t earn more than 4 credits a year, they could earn those 4 credits in a few months or over the course of the whole year.  More information about earning credits can be found HERE.  

The individual will need 6 credits, which takes approximately 18 months, if they are applying before 24 years of age.  An individual will need more credits as they get older.   If the individual is over age 31, then they will need at least 20 credits and the number of credits needed increases as the individual gets older.    A full table of age and needed credits can be found HERE (scroll to Number of Credits Needed for Disability Benefits). 

If the individual is pursuing the benefit because of the retirement or death of a parent who worked a job that paid into Social Security, continue to Step 3.  

Step 3- Apply for SSDI

After the individual has earned enough credits or a family member officially retires or passes (Disabled Adult Child or DAC), an application should be submitted online using only the .gov website, in-person at the local SSA office, or via phone (800) 772-1213. 

Much like SSI, SSA has staff on-site at local offices to assist individuals in completing SSDI applications for FREE.   The staff who assist with completing the application are there to serve as support, explaining the process and clarifying questions, not to help with getting the individual approved or denied.   Consider the SSA staff a neutral party.   

If choosing to apply with the support of an SSA staff member, call the local office and ask for an ‘SSDI Application appointment.’  You will likely be transferred to someone who will set-up an appointment with you and give you a list of paperwork to bring to include in the application.  

When applying, individuals will need the following information:

• Social Security Number
• Proof of age (ex- State ID, birth certificate, etc.)
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of medical professionals who know the individual and their disability 
• Dates when the individual visited those medical professionals
• Medical records, appointment summaries, and testing results or reports from those medical professionals
• Laboratory results and medications and dosages the individual takes 
• Names of the places the individual worked and a description of the work they did at those jobs
• Recent W-2 forms
• Names and Social Security of family who recently retired or passed

A more detailed list can be found HERE.   The SSA created a worksheet individuals can use to record the information they compile as they prepare for an interview or application, it can be found HERE.  

Guidelines for signing an application can be found HERE. 

Step 4- Wait for Approval & Wait for Payment

The application process typically takes 3-6 months, again similar to SSI.  

If the individual meets the disability eligibility and has the appropriate number of credits, the individual should receive an approval letter with the amount of their monthly payment.  

After being approved, there is a 5 month waiting period before receiving the first payment.  Therefore, the 6th month after being approved is the first month the individual will receive a payment.  

If the individual is denied and it is believed they meet all the requirements, a denial should be initiated within 60 days of receiving the letter.   Instructions on how to begin an appeal are included in the denial letter. 

Step 5- Report Income & Wait Some More

Continue to report income online, through the app, or by phone on a monthly basis.  

Income can be reported through the following channels: 

• •MySocialSecurity account (myWageReport section)
• •Social Security App
• •Calling the SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service number ( 1 (866) 772-0953)
• •SSA hotline

To report income the following information is needed:

• Pay stubs
• Pay period start and end dates
• Gross income
• Pay days

After receiving disability benefits, such as SSDI monthly benefits, for 2 years the individual is enrolled in Medicare health care services.  More information in Step 6. 

Step 6- Enroll to Medicare

After 2 years of receiving SSDI Social Security benefits, the individual will be automatically enrolled into ‘Original Medicare’  Part A & Part B Coverage.  

From Social Security website:

• Medicare Coverage Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed this coverage. It’s provided at no cost to you.

• Medicare Coverage Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay doctors' services, outpatient care, some medical supplies, and other preventive services.   You will need to pay monthly Medicare premiums for this coverage if you want it.

  (Source- SSA Website)

Most people have both parts of Medicare coverage. If you have questions about this coverage, you can contact Medicare toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to speak to a Medicare Customer Service Representative. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. (Source- SSA Website)

For more information about Medicare’s Part C and Part D coverage, click HERE and HERE.

It is possible for an individual to have both Medicaid and Medicare health coverage, if they qualify for both SSI and SSDI.