If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you’ll need to start by filing an initial application. To make the process a bit easier on you, we’ve put together this blog post so you can be prepared for what comes next.
Step One: Set Up An Appointment
Call your local Social Security office and set up an appointment to file your claim.
We have a few resources on our site to make this easier. If you’re looking for your Social Security Office and you live in Winston-Salem, Mount Airy or Lexington, you can find the information for your local office below. If you live outside the area, click here to search for your local office.
Winston Salem Social Security Field Office
1370 Lockland Ave
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Office: 1-877-402-0828
Fax: 1-833-950-2544
Mount Airy Social Security Field Office
1187 Andy Griffith Parkway
Mount Airy, NC 27030
Office: 1-866-587-4418
Fax: 1-933-950-3129
Salisbury Social Security Field Office (Serving Lexington)
1840 Jake Alexander Blvd W
Salisbury, NC 28147
Office: 1-877-405-3157
Fax: 1-833-950-2538
When you call, tell the representative you speak to that you’d like to set up an appointment with someone to file a claim for disability benefits.
If you’re having trouble getting someone on the phone, never fear! We wrote a handy blog post on that topic for you to review if needed.
Once you’re on the phone with the Social Security representative, select an appointment day and time that works for you. For best results, make sure you select a time and day where you can spend an hour to an hour and a half uninterrupted.
Step Two: Prepare for the Appointment
Now that you have an appointment to file your Social Security application, it’s important to prepare for the appointment.
To start, you’ll need to put together a list of important information about your working history. The Social Security representative will need to know:
- When and where you last worked. And how much money you earned there.
- Some basic information about the work you have performed over the years
- Details about your education and experience
- Your history of job loss and/or inability to work due to your medical problems
In addition to your work history, the Social Security representative will ask you questions about your medical history. In particular, they will want to know about the length and severity of your medical problems and how those problems prevent you from working.
It is VERY important to be prepared for this portion of the interview. We recommend you have a list of all your treating medical professionals and their contact information at the ready. Make sure you also have dates of recent appointments, hospitalizations or other important treatments that are related to your care. When possible, be as specific as possible.
Ex) Instead of saying “a doctor at Novant treats my condition” say, “Dr. Brown is a neurologist who sees me regularly. My last appointment was in March when I had my most recent scan. She recommended that I consider disability benefits since my condition is expected to worsen. She works for Novant Neurology and her contact number is 336-123-4567.”
Step Three: Respond If Denied
Once your application is submitted, you’ll need to wait for the results. Most applications are denied at the initial stage so don’t be discouraged if yours is also denied. There are steps you can take to file an appeal.
If you are approved, congratulations! Your local Social Security office will walk you through the amount of your benefits and when you can expect to see them.
If you are denied, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to appeal your claim and if you’d like to work with a disability lawyer along the way. There are lots of good reasons to work with a disability lawyer, but even if you don’t, the window for denial closes after 60 days. It’s important to be prompt if you want to appeal.
If Social Security denied your claim, we’d be happy to offer you a free consultation on your claim. We also help claimants file initial applications as our schedule permits. Simply contact us to get the process started today.
