A disability claim is typically filed at the social security field office nearest to where a claimant lives. The process is initiated by simply visiting, or calling, the social security office. Those who call are often given the option of conducting a phone interview (usually scheduled for a later date).

Disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration can be for either social security disability benefits (also known as title II, SSD, and RSDI--Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance) or supplemental security income (also known as title 16 and SSI).

Both programs are administered by SSA and claims in either program are evaluated exactly the same.

Social Security Disability benefits are available to individuals whose work history and earnings record qualify them.

SSI benefits are available to individuals who have never worked (such as children), or individuals whose lifelong earnings, or recent earnings, do not qualify them for standard social security disability benefits.

An individual who qualifies for social security benefits, but whose benefit amount (based on earnings) would be very low, will often have a concurrent social security/ssi application taken. In such cases, those approved for benefits would receive both a social security and an ssi benefit check.

The purpose of a concurrent claim is simply to ensure that approved claimants receive a minimum monthly benefit amount (the minimum being equal to the current full SSI benefit amount).