Navigation What is the Best Way to File for Social Security Disability?
Since Social Security began its appointment-only policy for in-office visits, it has created longer wait times for appointments and scheduling. Additionally, many disabled individuals or chronically ill patients are unable to navigate Social Security’s requirements for an SSA.gov account or wait on hold for lengthy phone system wait times.
Our office encourages claimants who want to file for Social Security Disability to contact their local office and file an application either in person or on the phone. We do not recommend online applications for various reasons. One being that these claims still require you to complete paperwork before the application is completed and return it to the Work Service Unit for your area. Many people think once they complete the pages of questions and application online, it is processed, but it is not sent to the local office and Disability Determination Service for processing and review until all paperwork is completed and returned. We have multiple clients who come in for assistance thinking they have filed a claim only to learn they never returned the 827 or 3368 forms. Many times they also do not recall receiving these forms and their application was closed by Social Security.
Additionally, many applicants should file claims for both Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSI application process usually does not get evaluated from an online application, and we end up sending claimants back to the Social Security Administration to file an additional SSI application when qualified.
