A person applying for Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) typically hasn't done it before. It's a new experience, and just getting
organized is a challenge.
Some questions I would ask myself when applying include: what do I need to prove, what kind of information meets Social Security Administration (SSA) requirements, and how do I get answers to questions I can't figure out for myself.
SSA encourages people to use the Internet to make application. If I am offered a choice between applying for benefits with help from a live Social Security representative, or struggling alone through an unfamiliar Internet process when I don't feel good, I readily choose the live person - even if I have to go to an SSA office and wait.
Some questions I would ask myself when applying include: what do I need to prove, what kind of information meets Social Security Administration (SSA) requirements, and how do I get answers to questions I can't figure out for myself.
SSA encourages people to use the Internet to make application. If I am offered a choice between applying for benefits with help from a live Social Security representative, or struggling alone through an unfamiliar Internet process when I don't feel good, I readily choose the live person - even if I have to go to an SSA office and wait.
According to SSA, "Applying online for disability benefits offers several advantages:
- You can start your disability claim immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment;
- You can apply from the convenience of your own home or on any computer; and
- You avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money."
I wonder whether my home computer really is
"convenient" when I don't know anything about the parameters of SSDI,
haven’t used the government software before, have to rely on canned electronic
instructions, and lack access to a trained person who is responsible for
answering my questions correctly?
Also, I am thinking about something else. SSA estimates
that completing the i3368 disability report online takes 1½ hours (compared
with 1 hour for the equivalent paper report). 1 That sounds like a long and complicated form.
A little research showed me that 1 ½ hours may be too conservative an estimate of the time required: a few years ago the agency estimated it could take between 1 ½ and 3 hours to complete the i3368 (compared with 1 hour for the paper form). 2 That’s only one of several forms I must fill out to apply.
A little research showed me that 1 ½ hours may be too conservative an estimate of the time required: a few years ago the agency estimated it could take between 1 ½ and 3 hours to complete the i3368 (compared with 1 hour for the paper form). 2 That’s only one of several forms I must fill out to apply.
To sum up, I want a piece of paper in hand and a living
well trained person to help me get it right if I am going to invest 1 ½ to 3
hours in one of several forms. I’ll leave the “convenient and time saving”
Internet application process to people who prefer the digital world. What do
you think?
1 Federal Register, August 9, 2012, page 47689
2 Federal Register, April 24,
2007, page 20156
