How to Apply for Permanent Disability in Washington
- 1). Determine if you have a disability. Washington State defines a disability for the purposes of receiving social security benefits as being "unable to engage in any substantial gainful work" due to the "medically determinable physical or mental impairment" . Permanent disabilities are those that will last until your death. If you can still perform substantial gainful work (making more than $1000 a month), you are not eligible for benefits.
- 2). Fill out the Social Security Benefits Application and the Social Security Adult Disability Report. You can complete these applications online (by visiting the links in the resource section below), or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Note that you can also visit your local Social Security Office in Washington State.
- 3). Complete an interview with a Social Security Representative. Once you fill out the forms in step 2, a representative from the Social Security Agency will contact you to schedule an interview. The interview will take at least one hour. It may be scheduled over the phone or you may have to visit a local Social Security Office in Washington. Bring any necessary medical documents as requested by the Social Security Representative.
- 4). Wait three to five months for a determination. Once you have filled out the Social Security forms, the SSA will send your information to Washington's Division of Disability Determination Services (DDDS) (see References 1). The DDDS will then review your materials and contact you if further information is required. The entire process takes about three to five months. Once the DDDS makes its determination, the DDDS will send its determination back to the SSA. The SSA will then notify you if you qualify for benefits and how to proceed next.
- 5). Contact the DDDS to inquire about your application and to ask questions. There are three DDDS branches in Washington; consult the link in the resource section to find the contact information for the branch nearest you.
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