Learn How to Navigate the SSA’s Website and Apply for Disability Online
Social Security offices nationwide were open just 35 hours a week in 2012. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is still facing funding problems. In an effort to cut costs, offices nationwide have reduced their hours again in 2013, cutting back to just 28.5 hour a week.
The reduction of office hours comes at the same time as a significant increase in the number of new Social Security Disability (SSD) applications. This means that while there are more people in need of the SSA’s services, the SSA will be open fewer hours to assist applicants.
What these Changes Mean for You
In light of these changes, learning to navigate the SSA’s website is more important than ever. The site contains extensive information on old age or retirement, disability benefits, as well as links to forms and other “self-help” features.
Because the website offers a large amount of resources, it can be a bit intimidating. However, once you learn the basics, navigating the website is easy. Even applying for disability benefits online is simpler than you may think.
SSA Website Navigation Basics
On the SSA’s website, you’ll find a main menu along the top of the homepage for easy navigation. At the center of menu is a tab for “Disability”. Simply click on the tab to go to the SSD area of the site, or if you’re applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there’s also a tab in the top menu for “SSI”.
The SSD Section of the Website
The main page of the SSD section immediately provides you with links to application forms and checking on the status of your application. This section also offers a step-by-step guide to “Apply for Disability Benefits Online”. Steps in the process include:
- The Checklist for Adult Applicants, which gives you a “cheat sheet” for collecting all the information you will need to complete your online application.
- The Application for SSD Benefits, which provides information on the application process and allows you to start a new application or go back and edit a saved application.
- The Adult Disability Report, which displays information about how the disability report works. This link also allows you to start a new report or edit a saved report.
- The Authorization to Disclose Information, which can be electronically signed and submitted once you finish your Disability Report. You can also print the form and mail it to your local SSA office. For help finding your local office, use the SSA’s Office Locator page.
Completing and Submitting Your Application Online
You should review each section of the SSA’s step-by-step guide to make sure that you do not miss a critical part of your SSD application. Also keep in mind you don’t have to finish all of the steps during a single session. You can save your work and complete it later.
Links:
- The SSA’s Website - http://www.ssa.gov/
- Disability - http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm
- SSI - http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/ssi.htm
- The Checklist for Adult Applicants - http://www.ssa.gov/hlp/radr/10/ovw001-checklist.htm
- The Benefits Application - https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/dib
- The Adult Disability Report - https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/radr/radr-fe
- Authorization to Disclose Information Printable Form - http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-827.pdf
- SSA Office Locator - https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp
