SSA.gov
Social Security disability application
Social Security disability insurance
Social Security disability claim
SSA.GOV Now Offers an On-line
Social Security Disability Application
SSA.GOV, the web site for the Social Security Administration, now offers Social Security disability claim applicants the option of filing their Social Security disability applications on-line instead of by phone and paper.
As part of SSA.GOV’s move to a paperless Social Security disability claim process, you can now apply for Social Security disability insurance benefits on-line. Note that SSA.GOV’s new process only applies to Social Security disability claims - applications for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) still must be filed the old way - by phone and paper. (Social Security disability insurance differs from SSI in that a Social Security disability claim is only available to individuals who have worked and paid taxes for approximately 5 out of the last 10 years. SSI benefits are available to individuals without the Social Security disability insurance credits and low income). Again, SSA.GOV does not accept SSI applications over the Internet, although SSA.GOV does accept child SSI claims over the Internet.
Recognize as well that the Social Security disability application at SSA.GOV is only the first step of the process. Once your Social Security disability claim is filed electronically, you will still have to fill out numerous paper forms and you will have to appear in person or by phone at a personal interview with a Social Security disability claims adjudicator.
Furthermore, at this point, SSA.GOV provides for only limited filing of Social Security disability claim appeals - reconsideration and hearing request - electronically over the Internet. Those forms still are best filed the old fashioned way - with pen and paper.
SSA.GOV’s on-line Social Security disability application is part of an on-going process within the Social Security Administration to reduce both the paperwork involved with Social Security disability claims and to decrease the time involved in adjudicating Social Security disability applications.
According to a recent Social Security Administration internal report to the federal General Accounting Office, the average time used by SSA to evaluate and decide a claim totals 1,146 days (i.e., over three years), however, Social Security disability claim employees spend no more than 7 working days in this three year period. Obviously, individuals who have earned Social Security disability insurance credits with tax payments are justifiably upset with this level of delay. SSA.GOV’s on-line process is a first step in addressing these outrageous delays.
Finally, you should recognize that the addition of on-line claims processing at SSA.GOV is not intended to prevent claimants from retaining the services of capable private Social Security disability claim attorneys. Social Security statistics reveal that Social Security disability applicants who are represented are significantly more successful in obtaining disability claim approvals. Perhaps because of the changing demographics in our country and the aging of baby boomers, the number of initial Social Security disability claims is increasing every year. SSA.GOV does not have all the answers, but it is a good start at making the system work a little better.
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