What Information You Need to Complete Your Social Security Disability

The Application for Social Security Disability Benefits

The application for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can seem overwhelming. With a little preparation, however, the questions can be broken down into manageable sections for you to go through. If you have the following information on hand, the application will be much quicker and easier.

The Application for Disability Insurance Benefits is based on your work history. You will need:

Marriage information: Provide basic information about your current marriage and any prior marriages you have had, including your spouse and all prior spouse’s Social Security numbers and your marriage dates.

Doctor information: Social Security needs to know what doctors are currently treating you and what doctors have treated you in the past. Social Security needs this information because their decision will be based on current medical records. The Social Security Administration will have to know who to order medical records from.

You will need to provide:

• A name, address and phone number for each doctor who has treated you for your condition(s)
• Tests each doctor has ordered for you
• Medications each doctor is currently prescribing you
• What condition each doctor has treated you for

Hospitalization information: Social Security will also base their decision on any hospitalizations that you have had pertaining to your condition(s).

You will need to provide:

• Names and addresses of all the hospitals/clinics you have been treated at for your condition(s)
• Dates when you were admitted to each of these hospitals/clinics and whether they were emergency room visits, inpatient stays or outpatient appointments
• What you were being treated for at each of these visits

Job history: You will need to provide information about all of the jobs you have held in the last 15 years. This includes what months and years you worked at each of these jobs and what rate of pay you were receiving.

The Application for Supplemental Security Income

The Application for Supplemental Security Income is based on your gross household income.

Physical and/or Mental Conditions: You will need to provide Social Security with a list of physical and/or mental conditions that are limiting your ability to work.

Assets: You will need to provide financial information including:

• Vehicles that you own
• Life insurance policies that you may have
• Amount of money in your checking or savings account
• Amount of money you have invested in stocks/bonds/IRAs
• Any property you own other than the house you live in
• Any other items that may be turned into cash (collections, etc.)

If you currently live with a spouse or parent, you must also report any assets that they have as well.

If you have sold or given away any money or property in the last three years, you must provide Social Security with information about each of those transactions, including sale price and to whom the money or property was sold or given to.

You will also need to provide financial information for all adults living within the household. The Social Security Administration takes into account every individual in the home who is drawing income and how much money they are making, regardless of their relationship to you.

Remember to read each question on the application carefully before answering.

The attorneys at Berger and Green are here to help. Contact Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 if you can no longer work and need to apply for Social Security Disability benefits.