- Form
- SSA-16
- Purpose
- Application for Disability Insurance Benefits Use: When applying for SSDI benefits.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
Connect And Care LLC · Social Security Advocacy
Social Security Applications, Appeals and Resources
This guide helps Minnesota adults, families, support networks, and referring providers find general SSI and SSDI application, appeal, and resource information. It is general information—not individualized legal, medical, or eligibility advice.
Need help deciding where to start?
Request a general review. Please share no sensitive information.
Appeal deadlines
The general SSA appeal deadline is 60 days after receipt of a notice. Follow the notice; some actions have different rules.
Privacy guidance
Keep Social Security numbers and confidential records out of public forms and email.
Important boundary
Case acceptance and benefit approval are not guaranteed. Social Security makes benefit decisions.
Start with the basics
Who these resources may help
SSI: needs-based support
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is generally for people who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older and who have limited income and resources. SSA applies its own disability criteria; a diagnosis alone does not decide eligibility.
SSDI: work-history based support
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is generally based on work history and required work credits, along with SSA’s disability criteria. SSA decides whether the requirements are met.
Disability, access, and support
SSA considers whether a medically determinable impairment significantly limits work-related functioning and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. It applies to physical, mental-health, and cognitive conditions, but SSA makes the individual determination.
A trusted family member, chosen supporter, case worker, interpreter, or referring provider may help with communication and organization when the person wants that support and an appropriate consent process is in place.
Other official starting points
SSA has general information for children who may qualify for SSI and for adults age 65 or older. Service requests are reviewed for scope, capacity, and available assistance.
Detailed guidance
Open only the guidance you need
Application steps
- Request assistance using the existing referral form.
- Review service fit, capacity, and available assistance.
- Agree on services and obtain necessary consent.
- Gather relevant medical, treatment, work-history, and daily-functioning information through the appropriate private process.
- Complete the applicable SSA application and reports.
- Keep submission confirmations, respond to SSA requests, check status, and review the decision.
- If denied, promptly review appeal options and deadlines.
SSA controls the official application, evidence review, notices, deadlines, and benefit decision. Connect And Care LLC may help an accepted referral understand the process, organize general information, and identify practical next questions within the agreed service scope.
Appeals and decision follow-up
Reconsideration
Ask SSA to review the initial determination again. Provide updated information or evidence when it is relevant.
Administrative law judge hearing
If reconsideration is unfavorable, a person may request a hearing. Follow SSA instructions and prepare to explain the claim and any changes.
Appeals Council review
Ask the Appeals Council to review the hearing decision or order. The council may review the record, issue a decision, or return the matter.
Federal court review
Federal-court matters are different from SSA appeal steps. Speak with an attorney or legal aid about court deadlines and options.
Protect the deadline in the notice, keep proof of what you submit, check status through your my Social Security account or SSA, respond to requests for information, and follow up on the decision.
Assistance and representation
Assistance stages
Current assistance may include a general referral review, service-fit and capacity review, an agreed service scope, necessary consent, plain-language process education, and help organizing application questions or information through an appropriate private process.
Formal representation is separate
A formal appointment requires an eligible registered individual and a valid SSA-1696 appointment, along with the staffing, authorization, and scope that apply to that engagement. Ask about current scope during review.
Frequently asked questions
Does Connect And Care LLC decide whether someone qualifies?
No. Social Security makes benefit decisions. Connect And Care LLC reviews requests for scope, capacity, and available assistance and does not promise acceptance or an eligibility result.
What should someone do while an application or appeal is pending?
Check status, answer SSA requests, keep medical-care and treatment information organized, report relevant changes using SSA instructions, and keep copies of submissions and notices.
Can a family member or support person help?
A trusted family member, chosen supporter, case worker, interpreter, or referring provider may help with communication and organization when the person wants that support and an appropriate consent process is in place.
Is application assistance the same as formal representation?
No. Formal representation is separate and requires an eligible registered individual, a valid SSA-1696 appointment, and the authorization and scope that apply to that engagement.
Prepare carefully
Common SSA forms
Not everyone needs every form. SSA tells each person which forms apply. Use the official links below or start with the SSA forms index (opens in a new tab). Connect And Care LLC does not host copies of SSA forms.
| Form | Purpose | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| SSA-16 | Application for Disability Insurance Benefits Use: When applying for SSDI benefits. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-3368 | Adult Disability Report Use: With an adult disability application or appeal to describe medical conditions, treatment, and work. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-3369 | Work History Report Use: When SSA needs detailed information about past jobs and job duties. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-3373 | Function Report — Adult Use: When SSA asks how a disability affects daily activities and functioning. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-827 | Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA Use: When authorizing medical or other records to be sent to SSA. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-1696 | Claimant's Appointment of a Representative Use: When appointing an eligible registered individual to represent a claimant. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-561 | Request for Reconsideration Use: When asking SSA to review an initial determination again. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| SSA-3441 | Disability Report — Appeal Use: When appealing and updating information about a disability claim. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| HA-501 | Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge Use: When requesting a hearing after reconsideration. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
| HA-520 | Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order Use: When asking the Appeals Council to review an administrative law judge decision. | View form (opens in a new tab) |
Mobile form list
- Form
- SSA-3368
- Purpose
- Adult Disability Report Use: With an adult disability application or appeal to describe medical conditions, treatment, and work.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-3369
- Purpose
- Work History Report Use: When SSA needs detailed information about past jobs and job duties.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-3373
- Purpose
- Function Report — Adult Use: When SSA asks how a disability affects daily activities and functioning.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-827
- Purpose
- Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA Use: When authorizing medical or other records to be sent to SSA.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-1696
- Purpose
- Claimant's Appointment of a Representative Use: When appointing an eligible registered individual to represent a claimant.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-561
- Purpose
- Request for Reconsideration Use: When asking SSA to review an initial determination again.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- SSA-3441
- Purpose
- Disability Report — Appeal Use: When appealing and updating information about a disability claim.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- HA-501
- Purpose
- Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge Use: When requesting a hearing after reconsideration.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
- Form
- HA-520
- Purpose
- Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order Use: When asking the Appeals Council to review an administrative law judge decision.
- Official link
- View official form (opens in a new tab)
Keep the official source close
Official and Minnesota resources
These links are general information. SSA, Minnesota agencies, and community organizations control their own content, eligibility rules, deadlines, and availability.
SSI
Learn about Supplemental Security Income, a needs-based program administered by SSA.
SSDI
Learn about Social Security Disability Insurance and its disability and work-history rules.
Applications
Start or learn about an SSA application for benefits.
Forms
Use the official SSA forms index to find current online forms and PDFs.
Appeals
Review SSA appeal levels and general appeal information.
Representation
Read SSA information about appointing and working with a representative.
Account and status information
Use a my Social Security account to check application or appeal status and notices.
Local offices
Find an SSA office and contact information for local assistance.
Language resources
Find SSA information in languages other than English and language-access resources.
Minnesota advocacy resources
Review Minnesota DHS information about Social Security advocacy services.
Disability Hub MN
Connect with Minnesota disability information, referrals, and support options.
Work incentives and employment resources
Learn about work incentives and employment support through Choose Work.
While a claim is pending
Tell SSA about relevant changes, including changes in address, contact information, work, living situation, or medical care, using the reporting instructions SSA provides. Keep copies of submissions and notices, respond to review requests by the deadline, and ask a qualified professional or official resource about questions outside Connect And Care LLC’s scope.
Need help deciding where to start?
Request a general review. Please share no sensitive information.