If you live in the United States and have any type of incapacity you should contact the Social Security Administration to apply for your disability benefit. Many U.S. citizens believe that they are not entitled to this disability benefit even though they have all the medical tests done. Knowing what Social Security benefits are available to us is vitally important if we are unable to perform a job.
Incapacity and disability are not exactly the same thing, but both can be applied for in the same way. These Social Security benefits require a great deal of documentation and cannot be applied for without medical certificates. In addition to this, it is very common that periodic check-ups are needed to corroborate the beneficiary’s health situation.
How to apply for Social Security Incapacity?
There are three main methods of applying for Social Security incapacity. These three methods are the normal methods for applying for any other type of benefit. However, the documents you need for incapacity are different. The three methods for applying for Social Security incapacity are:
- Online: with My Social Security Account you can apply for your benefit through the website itself. This method is the most convenient because you don’t have to leave your home, but some people may have trouble understanding the system. That is why there are two other methods.
- By phone: By calling the Social Security Administration you can start applying for your incapacity benefit. You can call our National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- At a local office: Another method is to go to your nearest local office. They will be able to help you there, as well as directly by phone. The workers will provide you with everything you need to submit your application for incapacity benefits.
What is the difference between incapacity and disability?
This question is a bit difficult to answer and it all depends on the specific case. By incapacity we mean an illness, whether mental or physical, that prevents you from doing any kind of work. This illness does not have to prevent you from doing other things in life, but it does prevent you from working. Social Security will determine whether or not this is your situation.
On the other hand, the disability prevents you from doing a specific job, but allows you to do other jobs. Or it prevents you from doing your job temporarily. That is why incapacity benefits are of long duration and disability benefits can be from one year onwards.