Personal Information

You will need to provide basic personal details, including:

• Social Security Number (SSN): Your SSN is necessary to verify your identity and work history.
• Date and Place of Birth: The SSA needs to confirm your age to determine whether you meet the work credits requirement.
• Citizenship Status: You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident to qualify for SSDI.
• Banking Information: You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number for direct deposit of your SSDI benefits if approved.
• Mother’s Maiden Name: This is used for verification purposes.

Work History

The SSA needs to determine your eligibility based on your work history and the number of work credits you’ve earned. Provide the following:

• List of Employers: You will need to provide a detailed work history for the last 15 years, including the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all employers.
• Dates of Employment: Provide the start and end dates of each job.
• Job Titles and Responsibilities: Describe the type of work you performed at each job.
• Proof of Earnings: You may need to provide pay stubs, tax returns, or W-2 forms for the last one to two years to verify your income.
• Self-Employment Records: If you were self-employed, you’ll need to submit records, including your tax returns, business expenses, and proof of income.

Medical Records and Documentation

To prove your disability, you will need to provide medical evidence showing that you have a condition that prevents you from working. These are the key documents related to your medical condition:

• Detailed Medical Records: Submit all your medical records from doctors, specialists, hospitals, clinics, and treatment centers. These records should cover:
• Diagnoses: Proof of your medical conditions, including details about the onset, progression, and prognosis.
• Treatment History: Information on all treatments you’ve received, including medications, surgeries, and therapies.
• Test Results: Include any lab results, X-rays, MRIs, or other medical tests that support your condition.
• Doctors' Opinions: You will need letters from your treating doctors and specialists explaining how your disability prevents you from working. These letters should provide:
• A clear description of your limitations.
• An explanation of how long your condition is expected to last (e.g., more than 12 months or is expected to result in death).
• List of Medications: Provide a list of all medications you are currently taking and the names of the doctors prescribing them.
• Names and Contact Information for Health Providers: You must provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics that have treated you for your condition.

Information About Your Family

If applicable, the SSA may request information about your family, such as:

• Spouse’s Information: You may need to provide your spouse’s name, Social Security number, and birthdate.
• Children’s Information: If you are applying for benefits for dependents, provide details about your children, including birth certificates and Social Security numbers.

Previous Social Security Disability Benefits (if applicable)

If you’ve ever applied for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits before, you’ll need to provide information about your previous claims, such as:

• Previous Claims: Include the dates of any previous SSDI or SSI applications and whether you were approved or denied.
• Disability Payments: If you previously received disability benefits, provide the dates and amounts of those payments.

Work-Related Restrictions and Functional Limitations

To demonstrate how your condition limits your ability to work, you may need to provide documentation detailing your functional limitations, including:

• Physical Limitations: Provide details of how your condition affects your ability to walk, stand, sit, lift, or perform other physical tasks.
• Mental Limitations: If your disability is mental or cognitive, provide records detailing how your condition impacts your memory, concentration, social functioning, and ability to perform work tasks.

Other Relevant Documents (if applicable)

In some cases, you may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as:

• Military Service Records: If you served in the U.S. military, the SSA may request military service records to determine if you are eligible for benefits based on service-related disabilities.
• Worker’s Compensation Records: If your disability is related to a work injury, provide records about any worker’s compensation claims you’ve filed and benefits you’ve received.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Records: If you’ve participated in any vocational rehabilitation programs, provide the relevant records.