Preparing for the Interview

All SSI applications require at least one interview. SSDI applications may require an interview.

You will be notified of the date and time of the interview by mail or email. Your interview may be by phone or at your local office.

If the interview is in person, take your medical and educational records with you. If you did not submit the Adult Disability Report and the Function report through your MySSA account, take those forms with you as well.

If the interview is by phone, let the interviewer know that you have records and forms to submit and ask for a time to drop them off, and a person to drop them off with.

If you are helping someone apply, you may be allowed to be present at the interview. You will not be allowed to answer questions for them. This is true even if they are nonverbal or have limited ability to communicate. The person being interviewed is the applicant.

The interview will cover 4 topics:

Medical information and the impact of the disability
1. Information about your medical history
2. Contact information for your medical providers
3. Information about how the disability impacts your ability to work
Income and resources
1. Information about your current income, earned (from a job) and unearned (gifts, other benefits, child support, etc.)
2. Information about your resources, including cash, cars, property, retirement accounts, etc.
Living arrangements
1. Information about your current mortgage or lease
2. Information about who you live with
Past and current employment
1. Information about current and previous jobs
2. Information about accommodations or supports you had while working
3. Information about how your disability impacts your ability to work

Tip: Have your medical records and your narrative about the impact of the disability handy. Use them to answer questions.

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