The Adult Disability Report, officially Form SSA-3368-BK, is the document that tells the Social Security Administration what is wrong with you medically, who has treated you, and why you cannot work. Every SSDI and SSI applicant has to complete one alongside the main disability application. It runs about 15 pages and takes most people 60 to 90 minutes to finish. Skipping questions or answering them vaguely is one of the most common reasons a disability examiner sends a claim back for more information or denies it outright, so getting this form right matters as much as the application itself.
What Is the SSA-3368 Adult Disability Report?
The SSA-3368 is separate from the disability benefits application (Form SSA-16 for SSDI or SSA-8000 for SSI). Where the application establishes your identity, work history, and financial information, the Adult Disability Report is where you build the medical case: your conditions, your doctors, your medications, and how your symptoms limit your daily life and your ability to work.
The disability examiner assigned to your claim uses this form to decide who to contact for records, what your functional limitations look like on paper, and whether your case matches Social Security's definition of disability, which requires that you cannot do "substantial gainful activity" because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
How to Get and Submit the Form
You have three ways to complete the Adult Disability Report:
- Online, through your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/disability. This is the fastest method and the one SSA recommends, since it flows directly into your electronic file and lets you save progress and return later.
- By phone, by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A representative completes the form with you over the phone.
- On paper, by downloading the SSA-3368-BK PDF from ssa.gov or picking up a copy at your local Social Security field office, then mailing or dropping it off.
If you are applying for SSDI online, the newer iClaim system pre-populates some fields and walks you through the disability report as part of one combined, plain-language application. Even so, budget close to two hours and have your records handy before you start, since the system does not save automatically at every screen.
The 11 Sections of the SSA-3368
The form is organized into roughly eleven sections spread across sections 1 through 9 numerically labeled on the paper version, plus signature and remarks pages. Broadly, they break down like this:
| Sections | What They Cover |
|---|
| 1 to 3 | Contact information, communication preferences, and a basic description of your medical conditions |
| 4 to 6 | Work history, education, and vocational training |
| 7 | Medications, both prescription and over the counter |
| 8 | History of medical treatment: doctors, clinics, hospitals, and dates |
| 9 | Additional information, including tests you have had and other people who know about your condition |
Sections 4 through 6, your work and education history, matter because Social Security uses your past 5 years of jobs to decide whether you can still perform work you used to do, or any other work that exists in the national economy given your age, education, and skills. Section 8, your medical treatment history, is usually the most time consuming part of the form because SSA wants exact names, addresses, phone numbers, and approximate dates for every provider who has treated your condition.
Information You Need Before You Start
Gather these items before you sit down with the form, whether you are filling it out online, by phone, or on paper:
- Your Social Security number and, if applicable, your spouse's
- A list of all medical conditions that limit your ability to work, in your own words
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers for every doctor, hospital, clinic, and therapist who has treated you, plus approximate dates of visits
- Names and dosages of every medication you take, prescription and over the counter, and what each one treats
- Results of any medical tests: bloodwork, imaging, psychological evaluations
- Job titles, employers, dates of employment, and duties for every job held in the 5 years before you stopped working
- Your highest level of education and any specialized job training or licenses
- Contact information for anyone else who can describe how your condition affects your daily life, such as a family member or former coworker
Bring whatever medical records you already have, even if they are incomplete. A detailed statement from your treating doctor describing your functional limitations, sometimes called a Residual Functional Capacity form, carries real weight with disability examiners and can shorten how long SSA takes to gather your file.
Tips for Completing the Adult Disability Report
Be specific, not general. "I have back pain" tells an examiner almost nothing. "I have degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 confirmed by MRI, and I cannot sit for more than 20 minutes or lift more than 10 pounds without significant pain" gives the examiner something concrete to match against medical evidence.
List every provider, even ones you saw only once. SSA requests records directly from every provider you list. Leaving one off means that piece of evidence never reaches your file unless you submit it yourself.
Describe a bad day, not your best day. Many applicants downplay their symptoms out of habit or pride. Answer honestly about what happens on your worst days and how often those days occur.
Explain changes in your work, not just your last day of work. If you reduced your hours, switched to lighter duties, or needed more breaks before you stopped working entirely, say so. SSA specifically asks about this because it shows a decline over time rather than a sudden, unsupported stop.
Answer every question. Blank answers, even on sections that feel repetitive, can trigger a request for more information and add weeks to your processing time.
Keep a copy of what you submit. If you need to file a Function Report or attend a consultative exam later, your original answers should stay consistent with anything you say afterward.
How the SSA-3368 Fits Into Your SSDI or SSI Claim
Filing for disability benefits involves several forms working together:
| Form | Purpose |
|---|
| SSA-16 (SSDI) or SSA-8000 (SSI) | The main application: identity, work history, income and resources |
| SSA-3368-BK | The Adult Disability Report: medical conditions, providers, medications |
| SSA-827 | Authorization to release your medical records to SSA |
| SSA-3373-BK | Function Report, sometimes requested later to detail your day-to-day activities |
You do not have to be approved or denied on the SSA-3368 by itself. It becomes part of the full case file that the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state reviews alongside your medical records to reach an initial decision. That decision typically takes 3 to 6 months, and roughly 38% of first-time applications are approved at the initial level. If you are denied, the same medical detail you provided on the SSA-3368 becomes the foundation for your appeal.
What Happens After You Submit
Once SSA receives your Adult Disability Report, a claims examiner at your state's DDS office requests records from every provider you listed. If those records are incomplete or your condition is unclear, SSA may schedule a consultative examination with an independent doctor at no cost to you. Missing that appointment is one of the fastest ways to get denied, so confirm the date and location as soon as you receive notice.
If your claim is approved, your SSDI monthly benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings, and Medicare coverage typically begins 24 months after your disability benefits start. SSI, which is based on financial need rather than work history, has a different payment structure tied to the federal benefit rate.
Working While Your Claim Is Pending
If you are still working in a limited capacity while your claim is under review, be aware of the 2026 substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits: $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for individuals who are statutorily blind. Earning above SGA generally signals to SSA that you are capable of full-time work, which can result in a denial regardless of your medical conditions, so report any current work activity accurately on the SSA-3368 and on your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the SSA-3368 and the SSDI application?
The SSDI or SSI application (Form SSA-16 or SSA-8000) collects your identity, work history, and financial details. The SSA-3368 Adult Disability Report is a separate form focused entirely on your medical conditions, treatment history, medications, and functional limitations. Both are required to complete a disability claim.
How long does the Adult Disability Report take to complete?
Most applicants need 60 to 90 minutes, longer if you have an extensive medical history with many providers. Completing it online lets you save your progress and finish over multiple sessions.
Can I complete the SSA-3368 by myself, or do I need a lawyer?
You can complete it yourself, and most applicants do. A disability attorney or advocate can help if your medical history is complicated or if you are unsure how to describe your functional limitations, but there is no requirement to hire one to file the initial report.
What if I do not remember exact dates of medical treatment?
Give your best approximate dates and note that they are estimates. SSA understands applicants may not have exact records and will still request files from every provider you list.
Do I need to list every doctor I have ever seen?
List providers connected to the medical conditions you are claiming as disabling, going back as far as relevant to your current limitations. SSA specifically asks for treatment related to your claimed impairments, not your entire lifetime medical history for unrelated issues.
What happens if I leave a section blank?
An incomplete section can delay your claim while SSA follows up for missing information, or it can result in a request for a supplemental report. Answer every question, even if the honest answer is "none" or "not applicable."
Can I update my Adult Disability Report after I submit it?
Yes. If your condition changes, you start seeing a new provider, or you remember additional details, you can submit updated information to SSA at any point while your claim is pending. Notify SSA promptly of any new treatment so your file stays current.
