How do I sign up for SSI?

This answer is a bit long, but should help you get off to a good start.

First, call 1-800-SSA-1213 and make your appointment ASAP. You can choose a phone appointment or an in office appointment. Either way, calling and making the appointment protects your "filing date", which can have an impact on when your benefits begin (if you are approved).

For general info, use the following link to learn about the program and its rules: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html

PREPARING FOR THE APPOINTMENT:

Your son will have to be the one to apply (i.e. complete the appointment), unless you are his LEGAL GUARDIAN (he's been officially judged incompetent-- this is not the same as power of attorney) or he is physically unable to speak and write. He can bring the medical papers to an in-office appointment, or he can mail them in--just make sure that his social security number is included in the mailing, so that they match it up to his claim!

Before the appointment (phone or office), put together a list of anything that he owns (even partially or as joint owner), including but not limited to insurance, savings bonds, real estate, vehicles, bank accounts--basically anything that can be converted to cash. Also make a list of any type of income he gets (gross amount, not net). If you charge him rent or have a rental agreement, have the specifics of this agreement ready to explain to the interviewer, so that they can calculate his benefit properly if he is approved.

ALSO- He can fill out the Adult Disability Form (form 3368) here: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability/a... , which will give him the time (and privacy) to complete this form thoroughly. It will also make his appointment go more quickly, because if it is properly completed and submitted, they can automatically pull the info into their system.

For each medical source, you will need to list the name (of the hospital and/or doctor(s)), address, phone number, first date visited, last date visited, next appointment date, and the reason you went and what treatment you received. For hospitals, you will be asked to list dates of in-patient stays and emergency room visits, too. This is not all you will need, but these are the main things you want to get together before you complete this form. If you aren't 100% sure of the dates, give the closest/best answers you can.

Of course, YOU DON'T HAVE TO COMPLETE THIS FORM ahead of time if you aren't confident in doing so alone. You can complete it during your interview/appointment, and ask the interviewer for clarification of any questions.

If you have a phone appointment, the medical releases (Form 827 Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA) that they mail to you should be signed, dated, witnessed, and returned to Social Security ASAP. You can print them off on the SSA web-site ahead of time if you want to speed things up a bit. Remember, until they get these, there isn't much they can do for you!

DURING THE APPOINTMENT:

Simple. Answer the questions they ask you truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. Like anything else, accurate information helps people make an accurate decision. And be polite, because you should always be polite :-)

AFTER THE APPOINTMENT:

Keep good documentation of any income he receives, where he lives, and how the bills get paid (and by whom).

Once you have applied, there may be additional paperwork, appointments, etc. required by your state's disability determination service, depending on your personal situation. So, make sure you keep your phone number and address up to date by reporting any changes to Social Security.

NOTE: In some cases, additional forms need to be filled out, and for a child, you also use different forms. This "answer" does not imply in any way that this information will get you approved for SSI, nor is it a complete or an exhaustive instruction guide. The intention here is just to inform you about how to get the ball rolling. Also, remember to check with your local welfare (aka jobs and family services) department for other possible benefits.

***As another user answered before me, most of this can be completed in one simple step by going to your local Social Security office***

Just go to the Social Security Office

you can either apply online at : www.ssa.gov or go to your local Social Security office. They will assist you in all the paper work, be sure to be honest and collect all of the medical paperwork you can.

if you are so uninformed and uneducated as this, i would suggest going to your local social security office and get the correct forms and answers to your questions!

go to www.ssa.gov. They have all the information there on how to apply, etc.