Disability Determination Process 
Disability Home 

When To Apply 
You should apply as soon as you become disabled. If you apply for Social Security , disability benefits will not begin until the sixth full month of disability. The Social Security disability waiting period begins with the first full month after the date we decide your disability began. Supplemental Security Income SSI , we pay SSI disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI. 

How To Apply 
You can apply for Disability benefits online , or if you prefer , you can apply by calling our toll - free number , 1 - 800 - 772 - 1213. Our representatives there can make an appointment for your application to be taken over the telephone or at any convenient Social Security office. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll - free " TTY " number , 1 - 800 - 325 - 0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday. 

Some publications that will give you more information on disability benefits. 
The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18. The starter kits provide information about the specific documents and the information that we will request from you. The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and our decision - making process that can help take some of the mystery out of applying for disability benefits. Here are some additional publications with information on disability benefits : Disability Evaluation Under Social Security Also known as The Blue Book - Medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims Social Security Disability Benefits Benefits For Children With Disabilities What You Need To Know When You Get Disability Benefits Working While Disabled...How We Can Help Medicare Receiving Your Benefits By Direct Deposit Social Security

user: I need some information about how you determine if someone is disabled, please.

assistant: You've come to the right place.

user: Before we go into detail, let me ask you something. I'm about to send in an application, should I send it now or wait a bit longer, until I have additional documents?

assistant: You should apply as soon as you become disabled.

assistant: Did you apply yet?

user: Yes, I did. Just after you said I should apply asap.

assistant: Then you should know that your disability benefits will not begin until the sixth full month of disability. The Social Security disability waiting period begins with the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.

user: When can I expect the benefits to be paid?

assistant: We pay SSI disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.

user: Do you have a publication about medicare?

assistant: Yes, we do have a publication about medicare.

user: Are there any other publications you'd recommend?

assistant: Yes, the Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.