Social Security Administration

About Social Security:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes monthly disability payments under two programs:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for workers (and their children or surviving spouses) who have Social Security coverage. To find out who is covered, refer to Social Security Disability Benefits at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people who have little income and resources and who have not worked enough to be covered under regular Social Security.

To get SSDI or SSI, adults must have a physical and/or mental impairment that keeps them from working for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death. Children must have a physical and/or mental problem that prevents them from doing things that children the same age normally do.

Applying for SSDI or SSI:
Call 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 TTY to file a claim for benefits, or contact your local Social Security Office. If you want someone to help you, such as a relative or caseworker, that person may contact Social Security for you. Information you will need for your SSDI or SSI application includes:

  • Social Security Number,
  • Medical records from doctors, therapists, hospitals, agencies, etc.,
  • Laboratory and test results,
  • Name, address, phone and fax for your doctors, clinics and hospitals,
  • W-2 Form or Income Tax Return,
  • Names of all medications you are taking, and
  • Names of your employers and job duties for the last 15 years.
  • If applying for a child, school records relating to disability will be needed.

Important: Don't wait to file a disability claim even if you don't have all this information on hand.

If You Are Denied SSDI or SSI:
You have 65 days from receipt of Social Security's denial letter to file an appeal. Details on the appeals process can be found in The Appeals Process, Publication 05-10041.

Go to this section of the Social Security Administration's website, www.ssa.gov/pubs/, to find published information on Social Security, Disability Benefits, Retirement Benefits, Survivor Benefits and more.

Ticket to Work Program offers SSA disability beneficiaries greater choice in obtaining the services they need to help them go to work and achieve their employment goals. Follow this link, www.ssa.gov/work, to visit the Social Security Administration webpage for Ticket to Work

Location

Office of Public Inquiries, Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore , MD 21235

Phones

TTY: 

800-325-0778

Toll Free: 

800-772-1213

Guide Location: 

03:05; 04:01; 07:01;