Click To Call If you are under the impression that all you need to do to apply for Social Security disability benefits or SSI is complete an application, you are sadly mistaken. In this article, we list the documents you will need to prepare, gather, and attach to your application.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits: What You Will Need

When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (or requesting an appeal), you will need to produce the following documentation and information:

  • A completed Disability Report - Adult - Form SSA-3368-BK (this is the application for Social Security Disability Benefits). (To request an appeal, you will need to complete Disability Report - Appeal - Form SSA-3341-BK.)
  • Medical Records (keep in mind that it is your responsibility to substantiate your claim. This can only be done with strong medical evidence.) For each doctor you see in a private office, hospital, or clinic, provide the following information:
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Type of doctor (e.g., general practitioner or specialist [list specialty])
    • Date of first visit (e.g., date treatment began)
    • Date of last (e.g., most recent) visit
    • Reason for visits
    • Treatment received
    • Hospital / Clinic / Other visits only:
      • Inpatient stays: date in and out
      • Outpatient stays: date of first and last visit
      • Emergency Room (ER): dates of visits
  • Proof of citizenship
    • Birth certificate, or
    • U.S. Passport
  • A detailed work history. List all jobs worked within the last 15 years leading up to your disability. For each job, provide the following:
    • Your title
    • Type of business
    • Dates worked (e.g., start and end dates)
    • Hours worked per day
    • Days worked per week
    • Rate of pay
    • Physical requirements of the job. (Remember, Social Security examines your limitations to assess whether or not you are disabled. Your disability must prevent you from performing the physical requirements of your previous jobs and those of ANY job in the national economy. Ask your doctor to complete a Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire.) List total hours per day performing each of the following activities:
      • Walking
      • Standing
      • Sitting
      • Climbing
      • Stooping
      • Kneeling
      • Crouching
      • Crawling
      • Handling, grabbing, or grasping objects
      • Reaching
      • Writing, typing, or handling small objects
      • Weight of heaviest object lifted
        • Frequency lifted

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