Free SSDI Application Worksheet
What to know before you apply - and why.
Earnings from jobs covered by Social Security are used to determine the amount of monthly SSDI benefit payments. Right now, the average for an individual is $1,277, and the maximum is $3,148.
For SSDI, you must be younger than retirement age.
Enter your average for the last 10 years, up to $120,000
Approval for SSDI unlocks access to money-saving benefits beyond your monthly payments.
You’re not alone: 61 million adults have a disability. Over 2 million people apply for SSDI each year and 37% get approved at the initial application level.
Source 1 | Source 2Federal funding means SSDI is technically a federal program. But it's state-run, so the process varies based on where you live.
SourceSSDI benefits include incentives for going back to work. Here's a look at how many SSDI recipients have used those incentives over the past decade:
10.3%
took advantage of return to work incentives
6.5%
had a working break from benefits
3.7%
found work ended their need for benefits
Learn to speak SSDI, here and now. This glossary of terms includes what’s most important to know, including the legal disability definition that’s used for SSDI.
Unfortunately, the SSDI process can mean lots of waiting, so make it your goal to get approved as early as possible in the process.
Give careful attention to initial application forms, whether you work on them alone or with a representative’s help. Also consider taking an assessment before you fill out a single blank on your application, to ensure the time you invest in the SSDI process is well spent.
There is a 5-month waiting period for benefits, but if your application process takes longer it doesn’t apply.
SourceShould you apply on your own, hire an attorney, or choose a representative's online tool?
This comparison can help you decide.
Apply on Your Own | Hire an Attorney | Use a Representative's Online Tool | |
---|---|---|---|
Professional knowledge and experience | |||
Option for first-time applicants | Sometimes | ||
Requires no appointments | |||
Can complete entirely from home | |||
Fees approved by the SSA | No Fee | ||
Includes help with Medicare choices | Sometimes | ||
No communication with SSA required | |||
Assistance with appeals | |||
Offers support for return to work |
SSDI application questions aren’t always as simple as they seem. Here are some examples that have the potential to trip people up or cause confusion. That’s why expert representatives who help applicants file for benefits can better determine the correct response, case-by-case, with additional follow-up questions.
This answer can be difficult to pin down if you have multiple conditions related to your disability and multiple dates to consider. It complicates things even more if there were times you attempted to return to work, then realized it wasn’t possible.
This question seems straightforward, but be careful. What you and the SSA see as earnings may not be the same. For instance, you probably see pay for sick or vacation days as earnings. But the SSA does not. The same goes for any payments from a short- or long-term disability plan: not pay, according to the SSA.
Before answering here, consider how and why you prepare meals. Do you do it only when friends or family can’t help by doing it for you? Does it take you a long time and require additional pain medication? Without follow-up questions to determine the full scope of your activity level or severity of your condition(s), your answer could be misinterpreted.
When a disability changes your way of life, choices can be overwhelming. Allsup can make one decision easier. When you need disability assistance, you need an expert.
At Allsup, we’re here to help you find out if you’re eligible for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you deserve. Approval for SSDI unlocks regular monthly income, Medicare and other life-enhancing benefits.
Why Allsup? We have helped over 350,000 people get their benefits in 35-plus years. Our specialized services get results for people with disabilities, so put Allsup to work for you. Increase your chances of success and get your benefits faster.
When a disability changes your way of life, choices can be overwhelming. Allsup can make one decision easier. When you need disability assistance, you need an expert.
At Allsup, we’re here to help you find out if you’re eligible for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits you deserve. Approval for SSDI unlocks regular monthly income, Medicare and other life-enhancing benefits.
Why Allsup? We have helped over 350,000 people get their benefits in 35-plus years. Our specialized services get results for people with disabilities, so put Allsup to work for you. Increase your chances of success and get your benefits faster.