If you have a physical or mental condition that you believe makes you eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, you should consider completing a disability benefit application. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, provides all eligible individuals with monthly disability benefits if the claimant is unable to work because of their condition. For example, if you suffer from a condition that interferes with your daily activities and you are under the treatment of a physician, you may qualify for disability benefits. 

To apply for disability benefits, you must complete a Social Security disability application. Applications are available on the SSA’s website, https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/dib or you can request an application by phone or in person at your local San Francisco Social Security office.  Complete the disability application and the Authorization to Disclose Information Form in their entirety. The Authorization to Disclose Information Form is very important and allows the SSA to contact your doctor to obtain your medical records. It is necessary to provide the SSA with all relevant medical information that supports your request for disability benefits. Submit the completed forms online or through the San Francisco Social Security office.

The SSA will evaluate your claim soon after receiving your disability application. During the evaluation, the SSA considers whether you engage in substantial gainful activity and if the SSA recognizes your condition as a disability. As of 2012, an applicant is engaged in substantial gainful activity if an applicant earns $1,010 or more per month through employment. In addition, the SSA evaluator will compare your medical condition to the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments creates guidelines for disability claim evaluators to determine how your condition compares to SSA approved medical conditions. The SSA will either approve or deny your claim for disability benefits and will notify you 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.  

To appeal the SSA’s decision, file a request for reconsideration. During the request for reconsideration appeal, a new SSA evaluator will examine your claim to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability benefits. Unfortunately, the majority of disability claims remain denied following the request for reconsideration phase of the appeal process. However, following a reconsideration denial, you can request a Social Security disability hearing and appear before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. During the disability hearing, you will testify before the ALJ and answer questions about your medical condition including how the condition interferes with your ability to maintain employment. In addition, the ALJ may ask a Vocational Expert to testify regarding the type of employment available to you considering several factors including your education, skills, training, and your medical condition. The majority of disability applicants receive a favorable decision from the ALJ. 

However, if the ALJ denies your request for disability benefits, you can file an additional appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council’s role is to evaluate whether the ALJ considered the appropriate information during the disability hearing. The Appeals Council will not consider whether the ALJ made the correct decision based upon the facts. If the Appeals Council reverses the ALJ’s decision, the Appeals Council may recommend a reevaluation of your disability claim by the same ALJ.

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