Plain-English guides built from public Social Security Administration sources: SSA.gov, the Listing of Impairments, POMS and 20 CFR. Every figure carries the year it applies to, because these rules change.
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- Adding a New Condition to a Pending SSDI Claim
Learn how to add a new diagnosis or worsening condition to a pending SSDI claim, who to notify at SSA and DDS, and how the amendment affects development.
- How to Answer the Alleged Onset Date Question
Learn how to pick an alleged onset date you can support, state the same date on every SSA form, and explain it clearly in your claim's remarks section.
- How to Apply for SSDI by Phone: What Happens on the Call
How to apply for SSDI by phone through SSA's 800 number, what the claims representative asks, and why promptly stating your intent to file may protect your filing date.
- Applying for SSDI in Person at a Social Security Office
How to apply for SSDI in person at a Social Security field office, from booking the appointment and the documents to bring to what gets finished afterward.
- How to Apply for SSDI Online: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Step-by-step walkthrough of the SSDI online application on SSA.gov, covering the disability application, the adult disability report, and the medical release.
- Applying for SSDI While on Workers' Compensation
Learn how to apply for SSDI while on workers' comp, what settlement and award paperwork SSA requires, and how to report payments correctly on Form SSA-16.
- Applying for Disability With No Home Address
How to file for SSDI with no fixed address: shelter addresses, general delivery mail, and phone-based ways to start a claim and receive SSA letters.
- Filing for SSDI While Living Abroad
How to apply for SSDI from overseas through Federal Benefits Units and SSA International Operations: phone, mail, and online filing routes explained.
- Applying for SSDI and SSI at the Same Time
Learn how concurrent disability filings work when applying for SSDI and SSI together, how one interview covers both, and what financial rules apply.
- Filing for SSDI Before Your Release From Prison
You can file for SSDI before prison release under SSA's prerelease rules. Learn the timing windows, how to start from inside, and what documents to gather.
- Can You Apply for SSDI by Mail?
How to apply for SSDI by mail: obtain SSA paper forms, build a complete packet, and document when you mailed it.
- Applying for SSDI While Living Outside the US
Living outside the United States and need SSDI? Learn how to work with a Federal Benefits Unit, prepare overseas claim forms, and manage your application from abroad.