If you suffer from a physical or mental condition that interferes with your ability to work or engage in daily activities, your condition may make you eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. However, to receive monthly disability benefits, you must complete an application and have the request approved by the Social Security Administration, or SSA. Applications are available on the SSA’s website, https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/dib. In addition, you can request an application by phone or in person at the Fresno Social Security office.

Complete both the SSA’s disability application and an Authorization to Disclose Information Form. The Authorization to Disclose Information Form allows the SSA to contact your doctor to obtain your medical records and discuss your condition. This form is important because the SSA will need all of your medical information about your condition to make a decision regarding your disability eligibility. Submit the completed forms online through the SSA’s website, or in person at the Fresno Social Security office.

After the SSA receives your disability application, the SSA will assign an evaluator to review your application. During the evaluation of your claim, the SSA considers whether your condition is eligible for disability benefits, and whether you are engaging in substantial gainful activity. For example, an SSA evaluator will compare your condition to the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments is a set of guidelines for each medical condition including symptoms and treatments available. In addition, according to the SSA, substantial and gainful activity means that an applicant is earning $1,010 or more per month through employment. During this stage of review, the SSA will either approve or deny your claim for disability benefits. You will receive notification by mail of the SSA’s decision. However, you should be aware that the SSA denies the majority of initial disability benefit applications. Fortunately, you can appeal a disability benefit denial.

Following a disability claim denial, you can request that the SSA reconsider your application. The SSA assigns a new evaluator to consider your claim during the request for reconsideration appeal. In addition, you can submit additional information for the evaluator to consider, like a note from your treating doctor or additional medical records evidencing your condition. Unfortunately, the majority of disability claims remain denied following the request for reconsideration.

After a reconsideration denial, you can request a Social Security disability hearing. During a Social Security disability hearing, you will testify before a judge and answer questions about your medical condition. For example, the judge may ask you to explain how the condition interferes with your ability to complete employment duties. In addition, a Vocational Expert may testify regarding the type of employment available to you considering several factors including your education, skills, training, and your medical condition.

However, if the judge denies your disability claim after the disability hearing, you can file an appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council’s role is to evaluate whether the judge considered the appropriate information during the disability hearing, not whether the judge reached the correct conclusion regarding your disability eligibility. If the Appeals Council finds errors in the judge’s decision, the Appeals Council may recommend a reevaluation of your disability claim.

If you have any additional questions about how to file for disability benefits in Fresno or the disability appeal process, contact the SSA’s office in Fresno or visit the SSA’s website http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm.