How to apply:

Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or (800) 325-0778 for those who have hearing impairments or are deaf.

What you need:

The claims process for disability benefits is generally longer than for other types of Social Security benefits, from 60-90 days. It takes longer to obtain medical information and assess the nature of the disability in terms of your ability to work. However, you can help shorten the process by bringing certain documents with you when you apply and helping get any other medical evidence you need to show you are disabled. These include: your Social Security number; your birth certificate or other evidence of your date of birth; your military discharge papers, if you were in the military service; your spouse's birth certificate and Social Security number if he or she is applying for befits; your children's birth certificates and Social Security numbers if they are applying for benefits; and your checking or savings account information, so your benefits can be deposited directly; names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics, and institutions that treated you and dates of treatment; names of all medications you are taking; medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers; laboratory and test results; a summary of where you worked in the past 15 years and the kind of work you did; a copy of your W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement), or if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year; dates of prior marriages if your spouse is applying The documents presented as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Do not delay filing for benefits just because you do not have all of the information you need. The Social Security office will be glad to help you.

Applying for SSI:

If you are applying for Supplemental Security Income benefits you also need the following: information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or lease and landlord's name; payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, car registration, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own.