SSI APPLICANTS CAN SUBMIT ONLINE

Individuals who wish to apply for Social Security (SS) disability benefits but can’t get to their local SS office, can submit an application from home through their computer at 

www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm. 

Determination of eligibility can take from three to five months. The length of time it takes to make a decision varies, depending on a number of factors, such as the nature of the disability, how quickly Social Security obtains medical evidence and whether a medical examination is needed to support the claim.

Sometimes applications can be expedited through the Social Security compassionate allowances initiative for people who have severe disabilities. There are 165 different types of disabilities that qualify under this initiative. The quick disability determinations initiative is another method of streamlining determination, and is meant for applicants who have the most severe disabilities.