Now that you know the qualification expectations for SSDI benefits, you can apply to receive this financial assistance. Your application will also help you officially determine if you meet the requirements for the program.

You can apply for Social Security disability benefits online, over the phone or in person at your local SSA site. If you apply for SSDI online, you save time having to make and attend an appointment or wait in line when applying in person or on the phone. Plus, completing an online SSDI application allows you to finish it on your own time, in case you don’t have all of the documentation you need to accurately and thoroughly fill it out, and save your progress as you go.

When you apply for SSDI, you must provide a variety of personal information that the SSA then reviews to determine your eligibility. You may have to provide proof of your disability, including paperwork from your attending physician. You’ll also need previous income and tax information as well as your contact information, too.

To complete your online application, go to the SSA website to create an account using your Social Security number and a secure password. Having an account allows you to save your application’s progress and come back to finish it at another time.

The SSA application for SSDI benefits requires that you answer multiple questions about your disability, your work history and more topics. The SSA will use this information to verify the accuracy of your application and determine if you qualify. Here are some of the questions you may need to answer on your SSDI application:

Is your condition severe? Your disability or medical condition must be severe enough to prevent you from being able to complete work activities, like sitting, standing, walking, lifting, or recalling information.

Are you working currently? These disability benefits are meant to partially replace your lost income. The SSA considers working as earning an average of $1,550 (if non-blind) or $2,590 (if blind) or more each month, which is the 2024 standard.

Is your condition considered a “qualifying disability?” The SSA has a list of injuries and conditions that are considered qualifying disabilities and are severe enough to prevent or significantly reduce your ability to work and earn an income.

Are you able to work in the same field or type of job you once did? The SSA will review your work history to determine if you have skills from previous jobs that you could use to work and earn income without putting a strain on your condition.

Can you perform other types of work in the same or a different field? If you’re unable to go back to the same type of work you did before, you may be provided other alternative work choices, and the SSA will consider these alternatives before awarding your SSDI benefits.

After submitting your application online, keep an eye out for a letter in the mail that tells you whether you qualify for SSDI and what your next steps are.