Applying for Disability - online and otherwise

If you are thinking of applying for social security disability or SSI benefits, you can do this in person or online. If applying for disability in person is the option you'd prefer, you can get the process started simply by contacting the social security office (ideally, the one that is nearest to you) and informing them that you need to initate a disability application. They'll take the next step by allowing you to set up an appointment to be interviewed via an office appointment or via phone (which, technically, is not "in person", but is essentially the same thing since it allows direct contact).

The advantage, of course, to applying for social security disability or SSI in person is that you 1. can ask specific questions about the disability claim process and 2. get direct and immediate answers to your questions. Which you won't get, obviously, if you choose to file for disability benefits online.

However, if you choose to file for disability benefits online, you can exercise the option by simply visiting the main page for the social security administration website at www.ssa.gov. Be mindful of the fact, however, that the SSA website only allows you to file for social security disability benefits online and not for SSI benefits.

You can submit information for SSI via the website, but it is not actually considered a bonafide application, meaning you won't have a protective date for filing. Therefore, for this reason, if you believe your disability application may be for SSI and not SSD (social security disability), it may be a wiser choice to forego the online option.