Applying for Social Security Disability Online

During the past few years, the Social Security Administration has made a number of changes to its system that encourage electronic filing of claims and appeals.  You can now file your application for disability benefits electronically over the Internet.

Although Social Security has made many improvements to its electronic filing process, I still hesitate to recommend electronic filing for my clients.  There are several reasons for this:

you cannot apply for SSI using the Internet system.  If you are not sure whether you are insured, or if your claim involves both SSI and Title II Disability, it is unclear whether the electronic filing system will function as a protective filing date and application

you cannot return to previous pages.  Once you complete a screen and move to the next screen you cannot go back.   In my view this is a significant flaw - what should you do if you remember an important diagnosis or the name of a doctor but you have past that screen?

if Social Security pulls its system offline for maintenance, you will lose all unsaved information.  In my office, we file appeals electronically and this has happened to us.   Social Security tends to take its system offline late and night and over weekends, which is exactly when many people are trying to use its system

although Social Security’s system is not especially complicated, it does require some computer knowledge and skills.  Many people filing for disability are in their late 40’s and 50’s and may be less computer literate

So, while electronic filing over the Internet is the coming trend, I am not yet prepared to recommend it.  I still think that for most people, telephone disability applications are your best bet.

If You Apply for Disability Over the Internet…

If you do decide to file over the Internet, the web address you should visit is www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.  If you go there you will find some useful information kits and public materials.

When you file electronically make sure to print out the pages of your application.  This gives you a permanent record of your application.  Should you forget something, you will have the opportunity to add or correct your application once the case gets into the hands of an adjudicator (about 3 or 4 weeks from when your application is filed).