What can I do ahead of time to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
You need to take the lead when applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is your responsibility to inform your medical provider(s) that you are applying for a disability benefit such as Supplemental Security Income. Ask your medical provider to clearly document all medical findings that will support your claim. You are responsible to report any symptoms to your doctor, even if they seem insignificant. By reporting to your medical provider(s), you build a health care team that can help support a disability claim. Deciding when to apply for disability benefits can be an important part of what you and your doctor discuss. Most people, providers included, do not realize that the date the application process begins, for a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim, can affect when benefits will start.
