FAQ

You can assist someone to apply for Social Security benefits even if they do not have identification. SSA has a set of questions they can ask the individual to verify their identity. (Name, SSN, DOB, mother’s maiden name, contact information)

That said, it is great to help someone obtain their identification documents so that they have them available for other uses. This can be done in parallel with the SSI/SSDI application process. Our partner organization, the Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC) has a great resource on their website, Helping Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Obtain Identification Documents: https://hhrctraining.org/knowledge-resources/toolkit/1926/helping-obtain-ID

SSA can start payments more quickly than usual in four different types of situations:

• Presumptive Disability (PD) or presumptive blindness (PB) payment: Based on the severity of the condition and the likelihood that the claim will be approved, SSA may make payments for up to 6 months while DDS makes a final decision. This is not based on financial need.
• Emergency advance payment: A one-time advance payment to new claimants who "face a financial emergency and who are due SSI benefits that are delayed or not received"
• Immediate payment: An immediate payment to new claimants and SSI recipients whose benefits are delayed or not received and who face a financial emergency."
• Expedited reinstatement cases: If benefits are terminated because of excess earned income or a combination of earned and unearned income, claimants can request to have benefits started again without having to complete a new application.

We recommend visiting SSA's website to find out more: Understanding SSI - Expedited Payments (ssa.gov)

Yes, someone receiving retirement can apply for SSDI benefits if they elected to take early retirement and are receiving a reduced amount. If they retired at full retirement age then their SSDI benefit would be the same and there is no need to apply. 

They would need to prove that they are medically disabled and unable to work at SGA. (Some people who take early retirement benefits are ready to stop working but don’t meet the definition of disability). 

You can complete Social Security’s Online Disability Benefits Application with your clients. This online application encompasses the SSDI application and the Adult Disability Report (i.e., replaces paper forms SSA-16 and SSA-3368).

Within 2-3 days of submitting the online disability application, you will submit three paper forms to SSA:

• SSA-8000 (SSI application)
• SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative)
• SSA-827 (Authorization to Release Information to SSA)

Read more about the timeline for submitting these and other materials at Steps to Completing an SSI/SSDI Application Using the SOAR Model.

First, here is some information about overpayments and how to help prevent them in the future: Avoiding and Managing SSI/SSDI Overpayments. Reporting earnings is absolutely essential to prevent overpayments. SSA has some options for requesting waivers of overpayments and can set up payment plans if they deny the waiver request. 

Deciding whether to quit or cut back their hours depends on the person’s circumstances. No matter what, they need to report their earnings. Those earnings will impact SSI and SSDI differently (read some basic information about SSA Work Incentives). For some people, they can earn a lot more income by working and if they are feeling well and are able to work, that is probably what they should do (their decision!). For others, the stability of their SSDI payment is important and so they work under SGA each month to keep their benefit. Ultimately, I would recommend that they talk to a Benefits Counselor to discuss their options.

You are not obligated to continue the application, especially if you feel they do not meet the qualifications as outlined in Identifying SOAR Applicants. 

We recommend focusing as much as possible on the applicant’s strengths and explaining that it appears they do not qualify for benefits (i.e., that they are able to work.) Then, if possible, provide a warm handoff to supportive services and/or employment supports.

However, we never want to discourage an applicant from applying; if they would like to apply on their own, we recommend sharing the Applicant Self-Help Guide

Yes, you are absolutely able to work on an application that is in progress!

You will submit the SSA-1696 form to SSA to become the applicant’s representative and determine where the application is in the evaluation process. You can then work quickly to submit any necessary SOAR Critical Components to strengthen the application (e.g., medical records, Medical Summary Report).

Generally, an applicant is required to appeal within 60 days (+5 days for mailing) from the date of the denial letter. However, SSA considers "Good Cause" for late filing. They will often accept the appeal request late for someone who is experiencing homelessness or has a serious mental illness. They are also accepting Good Cause for late filing due to COVID-19. We definitely recommend appealing the decision (to preserve the original protective filing date and potential back-payments).

You can find a sample Good Cause letter on our SOAR Tools & Worksheets page.

We recommend that you submit an amended MSR along with the Reconsideration appeal forms. This will give you an opportunity to address any updates to the applicant’s condition(s) or treatment. It is advisable to include an addendum with updated dates and signatures.

The DDS examiner will review the updated MSR along with the Disability Report-Appeal (SSA-3441) that you will complete as part of the iAppeal packet. Remember the SSA-3441 allows you to provide  updated information for a complete appeal submission. SSA uses the SSA-3441 to update the disability information since the Disability Report (SSA-3368) was submitted at the initial level. You will have space to provide additional information about any changes in the applicant's conditions or limitations. Also, you can supply missing medical information and attach medical records or any additional evidence as part of the online iAppeal application, including an amended MSR.

Here is some more information about Survivor’s benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html

There is helpful information about who might be eligible to receive benefits.

They’ll need to call SSA to apply for survivor’s benefits, as it can’t be done online. We don’t have a guide, but it is straightforward (reporting the death to SSA via the funeral home is most common). SSA can look up whether the individual is eligible to receive benefits.