What Your Client Needs to Apply

Your clients may need to provide the following information to apply for SSDI benefits:

• Social Security number
  (Social Security number cards and replacements can be requested through the SSA Web site at
  www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/)
  
• Birth certificate or other proof of age
  (the SSA Web site can help you locate the appropriate contact to obtain a copy of your client's birth certificate at www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html)
  
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and institutions that provided treatment and the dates of treatment
  
• Names of all medications being taken

Original documents or copies certified by the issuing office must be provided. SSA will request the medical records if your client is not able to obtain them.

Application Process
Renewal Process
Appeals Process

Application Process

Your clients can apply for SSDI at any Social Security office as soon as they become disabled.

Social Security considers the application filing date to be the day your client makes an appointment to apply for SSDI. If your client fails to keep this appointment, Social Security will send a letter to your client notifying him/her that he/she must apply within 60 days from the date on the letter in order to use the date of the original call as the application date.

To locate an office in your area where your clients can apply, visit http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.

Your clients can also apply online at https://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/isba3/irib.cgi?WFORM=A.

If your client's application is approved, his/her first SSDI benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date the Social Security finds that his/her disability began.

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Renewal Process

Social Security will periodically review your client's case to see whether he/she is still disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on the expectation of recovery.

• If medical improvement is "expected," the case will be reviewed within six to 18 months.
• If medical improvement is "possible," the case will be reviewed in three years.
• If medical improvement is "not expected," the case will be reviewed in seven years.

During the review process, your client may be asked:

• To provide medical reports, treatments and updates from physicians treating the disability.
• To undergo a special examination or test at no cost.
• To provide information about any work he/she may have done.
  

Your client may continue to receive SSDI benefits unless:

• New or improved medical tests show your client is not as disabled as he/she was before and that he/she now can work.
• Your client can now work due to vocational training or advances in medical treatment.
• Social Security determines a mistake in its earlier decision.
• Without a good reason, your client is not following the prescribed treatment and could probably work if the treatment was followed.
• Your client provided false information when he/she was first determined disabled.

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Appeals Process

If your client is deemed ineligible to receive SSDI benefits, a letter will be sent to your client explaining the decision and how to appeal the decision. Your client has the right to appeal this decision if he/she does not agree with it.

When appealing a decision made by Social Security, your client should know there is a four-step appeal process:

1. Reconsideration
2. Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
3. Review by the Appeals Council
4. Federal court review

(1) Reconsideration
Your client may request a review of the case if he/she disagrees with the first decision. A different person will review the case and decide the case again.

(2) Hearing by Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
If your client disagrees with the reconsideration, he/she may request a hearing before an ALJ.

(3) Appeals Council Review
If your client disagrees with the ALJ's action, he/she may request that the Appeals Council review the case.

(4) Federal Court Review
Your client may request an appeal through the United States court system, starting with the United States District Court, if he/she disagrees with the Appeals Council's decision or if his/her request for a review is denied.

For more information regarding the appeals process, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/oha

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