| In order to apply for any Social Security benefits one | | | | person at any Social Security office. However they |
| must find out if, first they qualify for the benefits they | | | | must first make an appointment in order to apply for |
| are wishing to receive. There are various options one | | | | benefits. The application process can sometimes be |
| has to determine if they would be eligible. One such | | | | complex and confusing, as such, it is sometimes helpful |
| way would be to contact an attorney who handles | | | | to seek the services of an attorney. By law, an |
| social security filings. Another option is take an online | | | | attorney can only receive a fee for SSI or SSDI |
| eligibility test at the social security web site. The test is | | | | benefits after you are receiving funds, and in most |
| called B.E.S.T.- Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. The test | | | | cases the attorney only receives a percent of the |
| is not an application for benefits and it doesn't give you | | | | benefits you were do in the past, but not any money |
| an estimate of benefit amounts, ask you for your | | | | due in the future. |
| name, or social security number and lastly it doesn't | | | | Some things that an individual would need to take into |
| access your personal Social Security records. | | | | consideration when applying for these benefits are; an |
| You can apply for Social Security benefits online | | | | individual must be ready to supply the information |
| however you can't apply for all aspects of Social | | | | needed in order to approve an application for benefits. |
| Security benefits online. Online you may apply for | | | | The Social Security Administration also may ask the |
| retirement, disability and spouse's benefits. You are | | | | individual to provide certain documents to show that |
| also able to restart an incomplete application and | | | | they are eligible and to assist in the decision of how |
| check the status of a claim at the agency site .You | | | | much the benefits should be. If an individual is |
| are not allowed to use the internet application if you | | | | considering having direct deposit they must also bring |
| are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | | | | their bank information in order for the process to be |
| benefits, however you can begin the process of | | | | started. |
| applying for SSI disability for an adult of child by | | | | It should be noted that if an individual has filed for |
| completing an online disability report. An individual | | | | Social Security disability benefits and have been denied |
| cannot apply online for benefits for children, benefits as | | | | the benefits within the last 60 days they are not to use |
| a surviving spouse, lump sum death payments and | | | | the internet application to file an appeal. If an individual is |
| lastly apply for Medicare coverage only. Instead of | | | | unsure whether or not they are still within the appeal |
| applying online for the listed items above the individual | | | | period they should call the Social Security |
| must call toll free at 1-800-772-1213, and for the deaf | | | | Administrations toll free number to acquire assistance |
| and hard of hearing the TTY number is | | | | before completing the internet application. |
| 1-800-325-0778. Applicants can also apply by mail or in | | | | |