Tips for Completing the SSD Application Form

Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is crucial when you cannot work due to a medical condition. While the process may seem daunting, this guide will help you navigate the application process successfully. Understanding how to fill out the SSDI application form correctly can significantly improve your chances of approval.

Key Takeaways

Before beginning your application, it’s important to know:

• SSDI vs. SSI: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) requires work credits earned through previous employment, while SSI (Social Security Income) is needs-based and doesn’t require a work history
• Application Methods: You can apply online through the SSA website, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office
• Processing Time: Applications typically take 3-5 months for initial decisions
• Approval Rates: Only about 30% of initial applications are approved, making proper completion crucial

Most Commonly Approved Disabilities

Understanding which conditions typically receive approval can help you better document your case. Here are the most commonly approved disabilities by the Social Security Administration:

Musculoskeletal Disorders 

• Severe back conditions, including herniated discs and spinal stenosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases
• Advanced degenerative disc disease
• Severe carpal tunnel syndrome

Mental Health Conditions

• Severe depression or bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Severe autism spectrum disorders

Neurological Disorders

• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy with frequent, uncontrolled seizures
• Severe nerve damage (neuropathy)

Special Medical Conditions 

• Most cancers, especially advanced or aggressive types
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Organ transplants

Cardiovascular Conditions 

• Congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease with severe limitations
• Heart transplant or multiple heart surgeries
• Recurrent arrhythmias despite treatment

Remember: 

Having one of these conditions doesn’t guarantee approval. What matters most is:

• The severity of your condition
• How well it’s documented medically
• How it affects your ability to work
• Whether you meet the SSA’s specific criteria for that condition

If your condition isn’t listed here, don’t be discouraged. Any condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death can qualify for disability benefits if properly documented.

What to Prepare Before Filling Out Forms

Personal Information

• Social Security number and proof of age
• Current contact information
• Marriage/divorce records, if applicable
• Names and birth dates of children who might qualify for benefits

Medical Documentation

• List of all medical conditions
• Detailed medical records and test results
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all healthcare providers
• Dates of all medical treatments
• Current medications and dosages
• Medical imaging results (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)

Employment Information

• Work history for the last 15 years
• Most recent W-2 or tax return
• Details about any workers’ compensation claims
• Dates when your medical conditions began affecting your work
• The last date worked

How to Fill Out Disability Forms: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Read the Instructions Carefully

Begin by thoroughly reviewing the form’s instructions. Understanding each section’s requirements will help you provide the correct information and avoid potential errors.

2. Answering Common Questions on the Form

When filling out your disability application, be specific and honest. Here are examples of effective answers to common questions:

• “Describe how your condition limits your ability to work.” 

❌Poor answer: “I’m in too much pain to work.” 

✅Good answer: “Due to severe rheumatoid arthritis in my hands, I cannot type for more than 15 minutes without experiencing intense joint pain and stiffness. I also cannot lift files or office supplies weighing more than 3 pounds or grip small objects like pens for more than 5 minutes at a time.”

• “Explain how your condition affects your daily activities.” 

❌Poor answer: “I can’t do much around the house.” 

✅Good answer: “My chronic back pain limits me to standing for only 20 minutes while preparing meals. I need to take breaks every 10 minutes when showering and dressing. I can no longer carry laundry baskets or groceries, and I require help from family members for these tasks.”

• “Describe your pain/symptoms.” 

❌Poor answer: “I’m always in pain and feel tired.” 

✅Good answer: “I experience sharp, stabbing pain in my lower back that radiates down my left leg, rating 7-8 out of 10 on most days. The pain worsens with any physical activity and is only partially relieved by prescribed medications. I need to lie down 4-5 times daily for 30-45 minutes to manage pain levels.”

• “List your medications and side effects.” 

❌Poor answer: “I take several pain medications that make me feel bad.” 

✅Good answer: “I take Gabapentin 300mg three times daily, which causes drowsiness and difficulty concentrating for 2-3 hours after each dose. I also take Tramadol 50mg as needed for breakthrough pain, which causes nausea and dizziness, making it unsafe for me to drive or operate machinery.”

3. Input Accurate Personal Information

Pay detailed attention while entering your personal information. Make sure your name, address, and Social Security number are accurate and consistent with your official records to prevent processing delays.

4. Include Your Detailed Employment History

Outline your employment history, focusing on jobs held within the last 15 years. Highlight positions central to your disability claim and make sure of precise dates and job titles.

5. Describe Your Medical Conditions

Clearly articulate your medical conditions and how they impact your capability to work. Use specific language to detail symptoms and limitations, making it easily understandable.

6. Include Comprehensive Medical Information

Complete the medical section meticulously, listing all healthcare providers, treatments, and medications related to your disability application. Accurate medical records significantly strengthen your claim.

7. Provide Accurate Dates

Make sure the dates concerning the onset of your disability and any medical visits or treatments are correct. This accuracy will support your timeline and substantiate your claim.

8. Final Review

Before submission, review every section for completeness and correctness. Look for any missed entries or discrepancies that could result in delays or rejections.

Understanding the Function Report (Form SSA-3373)

The Function Report is a key part of your disability application that shows how your condition affects your daily activities. Here’s how to complete it effectively:

What to include:

• Your typical daily routine
• How long do activities take, and any help needed
• Changes in activities since your condition began
• Use of any special devices or aids
• Both good and bad days
• How far you can walk, sit, or stand

Key tips:

• Be specific with times and measurements
• Don’t leave sections blank
• Explain how and why you need help
• Match your medical records
• Include all limitations, even if they seem minor

Example Answer: 

❌Poor: “I have trouble doing housework.” 

✅Good: “I can fold laundry for 15 minutes before my hands hurt too much to continue. I need help carrying the basket, but I can’t reach the dryer. My daughter helps with these tasks.”

Remember: This form helps Social Security understand your daily challenges. Be honest and detailed, but don’t exaggerate.

Best Practices on How to Fill Out Disability Forms to Get Approved

• Update and Document Medical Evidence: It is essential to make sure that all your medical records are current and comprehensive as part of your application. Up-to-date evidence reflects the present status of your health condition. Schedule any necessary medical appointments to obtain the latest evaluations and reports. Collect detailed documents like test results and doctor’s notes, which will serve as critical evidence to support your claim.
• Use Consistent Medical Terminology: When you fill out the application, using language that mirrors your medical records is beneficial. Consistency in terminology between what you write and what your medical professionals have documented helps bridge any gaps in understanding and boosts your application’s credibility. This approach reassures reviewers of the authenticity and accuracy of your details, smoothly tying the narrative together.
• Include a Personal Statement: Complement your application with a personal statement, adding a layer of context that might otherwise be missing from standard documentation. This narrative provides a personal touch, allowing you to convey daily challenges and how your disability impacts different facets of your life. Highlighting these personal experiences can vividly paint a picture of your struggles, adding depth to your application.
• Detail-Specific Instances of Limitations: Provide concrete examples of how your health condition limits your ability to accomplish daily routines or job functions. Describe situations that encapsulate your struggles, making it easier for SSA reviewers to comprehend the reality you face. Specificity here is powerful, turning abstract concepts into relatable scenarios that emphasize the significant impact on your life.
• Describe Your Daily Activities: When describing your daily activities, be specific and honest about how your disability affects your everyday life. Below is an example:

Activity Area	Poor Description	Effective Description
Morning Routine	“I have trouble getting ready in the morning.”	“It takes me 90 minutes to get ready. I need 10-minute breaks after showering due to fatigue. My spouse helps me put on socks and shoes. I can only stand for 5 minutes while grooming.”
Personal Care	“Bathing is difficult.”	“I must use a shower chair. I can only wash myself for 7-8 minutes before needing to rest. I cannot lift my arms above shoulder level to wash my hair. My spouse helps me in and out of the tub.”
Household Tasks	“I can’t do much housework.”	“I can wash dishes for 10 minutes before hand pain becomes severe. Cannot vacuum or mop due to back pain. Children do laundry as I cannot lift wet clothes. Can fold light items for 15 minutes before needing a 30-minute rest.”
Meal Preparation	“Cooking is hard for me.”	“I can only prepare simple meals that take less than 15 minutes. Cannot lift pots filled with water. Must sit while chopping vegetables. Can only stand at the counter for 10 minutes before needing to rest.”
Shopping/Errands	“Shopping is difficult.”	“Use motorized cart at stores. Can only shop for 30 minutes before exhaustion. Cannot lift bags over 5 pounds. Must schedule appointments in the morning when pain is lowest.”
Social Activities	“I don’t socialize much anymore.”	“Can sit with family for 20 minutes before needing to change positions. Stopped attending church due to the inability to sit through service. Connect with friends by phone as driving over 15 minutes causes back spasms.”
Sleep/Rest	“I don’t sleep well.”	“Wake 4-5 times nightly due to pain. Use hospital bed to sleep elevated. Need 3-4 unplanned rest breaks daily, lasting 30-45 minutes each. Medication requires 2-hour afternoon nap.”
Transportation	“Driving is hard.”	“Cannot drive more than 15 minutes without severe neck pain. Must stop every 30 minutes on longer trips to walk and stretch. Cannot turn head to check blind spots. Avoid driving in heavy traffic due to delayed reaction time from medication.”
Physical Activity	“I can’t exercise anymore.”	“Can walk only 100 feet before needing to rest. Use a cane for balance. Cannot climb more than 3 stairs without stopping. Unable to bend or kneel without assistance getting up.”
Concentration	“I have trouble focusing.”	“Can focus on reading for 15 minutes before losing concentration. Make frequent errors when paying bills. Cannot follow TV shows without rewinding. Forget appointments unless written down immediately.”

• Match Your Description with Social Security‘s Requirements: When describing how your condition affects you, use similar language to what Social Security uses in their disability guidelines. For example, instead of saying, “I have trouble walking,” say, “I can only walk for 10 minutes before needing to rest.” Being specific and using terms that Social Security recognizes makes it easier for them to understand your disability and evaluate your claim.
• Ask Your Doctors for Strong Support Letters: Get detailed letters from your doctors explaining why your medical conditions prevent you from working. These letters should clearly connect your symptoms to specific tasks you can’t do. For example, if you have severe back pain, your doctor should explain that you can’t sit or stand for more than 20 minutes, which makes office work impossible. Having your doctors clearly document these limitations greatly strengthens your application.

After Submission: Next Steps

After submitting, wait for the SSA’s response, which typically includes a confirmation of receipt and an outline of the next steps. Be prepared for possible follow-up questions or requests for additional evidence. Familiarize yourself with the typical timelines for processing and appeals in case a denial occurs.

Succeeding With Your Social Security Disability Application

Taking the time to thoroughly understand how to fill out the Social Security disability forms process can dramatically enhance your odds of securing the necessary benefits. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Binder & Binder®, we have a team of experienced disability lawyers who provide the support and expertise you deserve. 

By partnering with us, you’ll empower yourself to handle your disability application expertly and maximize your chances for success. We invite you to confidently take that next step and schedule an appointment with us today. Let us help you unlock the benefits you’ve worked hard for.