Apply for Benefits
You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
- Online (which starts the application process immediately instead of having to wait for an appointment)
-
By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) to make an appointment to apply either:
- Over the phone
- In person at your local Social Security office.
Note: Due to COVID-19, there may be limits on in-person services. Contact your agency by phone to ask about this.
Getting Your Application Ready
Get this information ready for your SSDI application:
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and others who have treated you
- Prescriptions and results of medical tests
- Copies of medical records
- Your Social Security Number and the Social Security Numbers of your spouse and any children under the age of 18
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or of legal residency, if you were born outside the U.S., like naturalization papers, your U.S. passport, or your green card
-
A certified copy of your military discharge papers (Form DD 214), if you were in the military
- Tip: If you are a veteran, let Social Security know. Social Security may review your application faster.
- Copies of recent tax records or W-2 forms
- Information on any Workers’ Compensation you’ve gotten
- A list of the types of jobs you've done for the past 15 years
Social Security provides a detailed checklist of the information you need to complete the application process.
Other Benefits
It takes a while for your SSDI application to be reviewed and, if you qualify, benefits don’t begin until five months after your disability began. If you are approved, you start getting monthly payments, but have to wait another two years before you automatically start getting Medicare health coverage.
While you are waiting for Social Security to review your application and then for Medicare to begin, you should see what else might help you. At first, try to use your job's sick pay or vacation pay and see whether your company has a short-term or long-term disability insurance plan.
Then, you can apply for other benefits, including:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a monthly payment for people with disabilities who have low income and low resources. Learn more in DB101’s SSI article.
- MO HealthNet, free health coverage for people with low income and low resources. Learn more in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a monthly cash benefit for people with low income that helps pay for food. Learn more about SNAP.
- Temporary Assistance, a monthly cash benefit for families with children that also helps parents find work. Learn more about Temporary Assistance.
- Emergency cash assistance and housing, if you need them.
Go to MyDSS.mo.gov/qualify and answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify for these benefits. You can then apply online or at your Family Support Division (FSD) office by mail or in person.
If you need help with an application, talk to a Benefits Specialist.
If you served in the military and are a veteran, you may also qualify for VA Disability Compensation or VA Pension benefits.
You may qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits at the same time. The SSI program counts SSDI payments as unearned income. For a single person who lives independently, this means that if you get $861 or more per month in SSDI, you don't qualify for SSI benefits.
If you get less than $861 per month from SSDI and you don’t have any other income, you may qualify for SSI benefits. Usually, you get a combined total of $861 in benefits each month between the two programs.
For example, if you get $500 per month from SSDI and have no other income, you could get $361 per month from SSI.
Note: You have to apply for SSI separately. Learn more in DB101's SSI article.
