Visit the Social Security website

The website, www.socialsecurity.gov is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. At the website you can:

• Apply for certain kinds of benefits;
• Get the address of your local Social Security office;
• Request a Social Security Statement, or a replacement Medicare card; and
• Find copies of Social Security publications.

Helpful publications are available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/index.html under the section “Disability Benefits.” They include:

• Disability Benefits
• Disability Starter Kit (Fact Sheet, Checklist and Worksheet)
• The Appeals Process
• Apply Online for Social Security Benefits
• Disability Evaluation Under Social Security
• Social Security Planner
• What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits
• Working While Disabled—How We Can Help

For information about the SSI disability program for adults, see Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000). For information about disability programs for children, refer to Benefits For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).

The Social Security Administration produces a Blue Book for professionals on Disability Evaluation Under Social Security. You can access the Blue Book online . They also produce a Red Book, A Summary Guide to Employment Support for Individuals with Disabilities under the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs. You can access the Red Book online.

Call the Social Security toll-free numbers

The toll-free number for the Social Security Administration is 1-800-772-1213. They treat all calls privately. They are available to respond specific inquiries from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can give you information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. If you are hard of hearing or deaf, you may call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Telephone calls may be monitored by a second Social Security representative in order to assure accurate and polite service.

Other resources

Website for the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives, www.nosscr.org.