How to Start Your SSDI Application: Starter Guide to Forms, Documents, and Best Practices
Quick Snapshot: The SSDI Application Roadmap
Step 1: Gather important documents and information.
Step 2: Complete the main forms (SSA-16, SSA-3368, SSA-827).
Step 3: Submit your application (online, by phone, or in person).
Step 4: SSA reviews your basic eligibility and medical condition.
Step 5: SSA may request more forms (Work History, Function Report) if needed.
Step 6: SSA makes a decision (approval or denial).
Now let's walk through each part in more detail!
Introduction
Starting your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application can feel like stepping into unknown territory, much like planting a seed without seeing the roots form right away. But with the right preparation and understanding of the process, you can set a strong foundation for success. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about starting your SSDI application, including which forms you might need, what documents to gather, and what to expect after you apply.
Step 1: Gather Essential Information and Documents
Before you start filling out the application, it's smart to pull together key information and paperwork:
Personal Details: Social Security number, birth certificate, marriage records (if applicable).
Proof of Citizenship or Legal Status: Passport, naturalization certificate, or immigration documents.
Work History: SSA-16 asks about work in the past 2 years. SSA-3368 asks you to list all jobs held during the past 5 years before you became unable to work. In some cases, SSA may request a full 15-year work history later using additional forms.
Income Records: W-2s, recent tax returns.
Workers’ Compensation or Settlement Records: Bring copies of award letters, settlement agreements, or benefit stubs if you received workers’ compensation, a public disability pension, or other benefits. SSA needs this to check if it affects your SSDI payments.
Medical Records: Make a list of all your doctors, clinics, hospital stays, treatments, and medications. Include the names, addresses, and dates of visits for each. You don't need to mail your medical records yourself. (Whew!) After you sign the SSA-827 form, SSA will usually request them directly from your providers.
Military Records: If you served before 1968, your discharge papers (DD-214).
Pro Tip: Don't delay your application if you're missing some documents. SSA can help you gather them after you file.
Organizational Tip: Keep a symptom journal to track your "good days" and "bad days," but don't submit it with your initial application. Save it for future use if SSA asks for more details or if you need to appeal later.
Important: If you have received workers’ compensation or other public disability benefits, SSA will need to know. These can sometimes lower your SSDI benefit amount, so it’s important to report them accurately.
Step 2: Understand the Forms You Will Complete
When you apply, you'll likely complete or submit several forms:
SSA-16: Application for Disability Insurance Benefits (the main form).
SSA-3368: Adult Disability Report (details about your medical condition).
SSA-827: Authorization to Disclose Information (lets SSA get your medical records).
SSA may also request these additional forms after your initial filing:
SSA-3369: Work History Report (your jobs for the last 15 years).
SSA-3373: Function Report (how your condition affects daily activities).
SSA-821: Work Activity Report (if you’ve worked since your disability date).
SSA-3380: Third-Party Function Report (filled out by someone who knows you).
Important: You usually submit SSA-16, SSA-3368, and SSA-827 at the start. Other forms are only required if SSA needs more information.
When thinking about your application, it's helpful to focus on what you cannot do because of your health conditions, rather than what you try to do, want to do, or sometimes can do. Being honest about your challenges gives SSA a clearer picture of your situation.
Step 3: Choose Your Filing Method
You can submit your application in one of three ways:
Online: Apply at ssa.gov (fastest and most flexible).
By Phone: Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
In Person: Schedule an appointment at your local SSA office (wait times may apply).
Each method has pros and cons, but applying online lets you save your progress and upload documents directly.
Step 4: How SSA Reviews Your Application
After you file, SSA reviews your:
Basic eligibility (work credits, recent work, citizenship).
Medical condition information.
Work history against your official earnings record (W-2s, tax records).
Most initial decisions take about 6 to 8 months. During this time, SSA may contact you for more information or to fill out additional forms. If you don't hear anything after 30-60 days, it's okay to call SSA and ask if they need anything else.
If SSA needs more details, they'll send you extra forms like the Work History Report (SSA-3369) or Adult Function Report (SSA-3373). These forms are usually requested before a decision is made.
Red Flags That Can Hurt You Early (and How to Avoid Them)
Common mistakes that cause delays or denials:
Missing Medical Records: Gaps in your treatment history.
Short Job Descriptions: Only listing titles without explaining what the work involved.
Mixed Messages About Abilities: Reporting housework that doesn’t match your claimed limitations.
Unclear Work Stop Date: Giving inconsistent dates about when you became unable to work.
Earnings Discrepancies: Your work history must match SSA’s official records.
Expert Tip: SSA now focuses mostly on jobs you did within the last 5 years, but full work history may still be needed to fully explain your background.
Important Statistic: Applications with missing or conflicting work history are among the top 30% of initial denials (Social Security Administration, 2023).
Best Practices for the "Remarks" Section
Throughout the application, you may see instructions to "use the Remarks section" if you need more space or to explain something.
Use this space carefully:
Explain limits clearly: Example: "Can’t lift more than 5 lbs due to back pain."
Stay consistent: Use the same terms as in your medical records.
Keep it short: Stick to facts and skip unrelated stories.
Note if you had help: Example: "Spouse helped complete forms due to memory problems."
List all important conditions: Mention all diagnosed work-impacting conditions.
Be honest if unsure: It's okay to say "don't remember exact date" if you truly can't recall.
Avoid exaggeration: Only include what can be backed up by records.
Use for overflow: Add extra doctors, treatments, or medications here if you run out of room.
If you’re unsure what to include, it’s smart to get advice from a professional. Sometimes, less is more.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Preview the SSA-16, SSA-3368, and SSA-827 forms.
Keep a symptom journal to describe "good days" and "bad days," but hold onto it for now.
Ask doctors for strong letters or RFC forms if possible.
Double-check details like dates, names, and addresses before you submit.
Summary
Starting your SSDI application isn’t just filling out a form—it's like planting a seed and setting down deep roots. The early effort may feel heavy, but with thoughtful preparation and steady care, you can build a strong foundation for lasting support. Getting organized, understanding the full process, and being careful with the details can make a real difference. Even if you don't have everything at first, start your application and keep working with SSA to submit any missing documents.
Disclaimer & AI Ethical Statement
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. Consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.
AI Ethical Statement: This article includes information sourced from government health websites, reputable academic journals, non-profit organizations, and is generated with AI. A human author has substantially edited, arranged, and reviewed all content, exercising creative control over the final output. People and machines make mistakes. Please contact us if you see a correction that needs to be made.
References
Social Security Administration. (2023). Annual performance report: Fiscal year 2023. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/agency/performance
Social Security Administration. (2025). Apply for disability benefits. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/
Social Security Administration. (2025). Form SSA-16: Application for Disability Insurance Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-16.html
Social Security Administration. (2025). Form SSA-3368: Adult Disability Report. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3368-bk.pdf
