Tips for Filing an Initial SSD, DIB, or SSI Application

If you decide not to hire an attorney to help you with the initial application, here are a few reminders that can be helpful when preparing your initial application for benefits:

(1) Obtain all medical records pertaining to your case. They will all be helpful in identifying whether you will need to acquire additional medical records to support your application. Having a complete medical record included with your initial application, clearly laying out your disability or disabilities is essential and extremely valuable in supporting your application.

(2) Make sure you have included all of your impairments and conditions in the application, even if you feel they may not be relevant (e.g. anxiety, depression, a previous work injury that never healed correctly, etc.).

(3) If you feel that you may be able to return to work, even if only for a few hours each week, and have an opportunity to do so, discuss this with an attorney to ensure you report it correctly in your application.

(4) List all of your children in the application.

(5) Do not forget to file a prepared application. It is not unusual for individuals to struggle to complete the application or get it submitted. File a request for hearing in time, most of the time the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) will require you to start the process all over.