Key Documents You Need to File for Disability

When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), be prepared to submit the following:

1. Personal Identification and Background Info

• Social Security number
• Birth certificate or proof of birth
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
• Marriage and divorce records (if applicable)
• Names and birthdates of your children (if they may qualify for benefits)

2. Medical Records

Your medical documentation is the most important part of your application. It should include:

• Names, addresses, and contact info for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics
• Dates of treatment and names of medications you’ve taken
• Detailed treatment history and test results
• Doctors’ notes and opinions on your limitations and prognosis
• Mental health treatment records, if applicable
• Functional capacity evaluations or physical therapy reports

3. Work and Earnings History

The Social Security Administration will want to see your recent and past work activity:

• W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns (Schedule C or SE) from the past few years
• Detailed job history for the past 15 years (titles, duties, dates of employment)
• Pay stubs, if recently employed
• Military service records, if applicable

4. Other Supporting Documents

Depending on your situation, additional items might be helpful:

• Worker’s compensation records
• Insurance claims related to your disability
• Letters from former employers confirming your inability to work
• Daily activity logs or personal statements explaining how your disability affects you

Tips for Organizing Your Documents

• Make copies of all documents before submission
• Label everything clearly, especially medical records
• Use SSA’s Adult Disability Checklist to ensure nothing is missed
• Stay up to date with appointments
• to ensure the SSA receives current records