More than 4 million disabled workers under 65 and 1.6 million dependents (including over 1 million children) are currently receiving disability benefits. Social Security does not pay for partial disability or for short-term disability. Generally, working families have other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities (such as sick pay, worker’s compensation, insurance, savings and investments).
Disability payments cannot begin until after a five-month waiting period from the first full month of disability has expired. When a worker has received disability benefits for two years, he or she becomes eligible for Medicare.

You can file a disability claim at your local SSA office. The process is lengthy and requires a review by the State Disability Determination Service to decide if you qualify. You will be required to provide:

• Your Social Security card and birth certificate
• Your medical records, dates of hospitalization and doctors' visits, copies of prescriptions, etc.
• A detailed work history and explanation of how your disability has affected your work. You may be examined by a medical professional, as well as having all your records verified. If you are denied disability, you will have 60 days to file an appeal. If you receive disability benefits, your case will be periodically reviewed.