Dr. Ed's Plain-English Guide to the Form That Matters Most
Filling out the disability report doesn't have to be scary. This guide breaks it down into manageable steps. You've got this.
The SSA-3368 is long. It asks a lot of personal questions. But here's the truth: Social Security needs this form to understand how your condition affects YOUR life. Not medical jargon. Not what a doctor thinks. What YOU experience every single day. That's what they need. And you're the only one who can tell them.
The basics about you
Your name, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and mailing address. This is straightforward — just write what's on your identification documents.
Use the address where you want SSA to send documents. If you have a caregiver or trusted family member helping, you can use their address if it's easier for you to pick up mail there.
Section 1 is easy. Let's keep going.
What's wrong and when it started
SSA needs to understand your main health problem and any other conditions that affect your ability to work. This is where you paint the picture of your situation.
Describe your WORST days, not your best days. If you have some days when you feel better, mention that, but focus on what happens when your condition flares up. SSA wants to know what you're like on your worst days, because that's the reality of living with a disability.
You're doing the hard work. Keep going.
Where you get medical care
SSA will contact your doctors to get your medical records. This section gives them the names and contact information for everyone who treats you.
Start with your primary care doctor (the one you see most often). Then add specialists — the cardiologist, rheumatologist, therapist, whoever treats your conditions. Include hospitals and clinics you've been to in the past 3 years. Include urgent care visits, emergency room visits, overnight hospital stays — everything.
You can call your doctor's office and ask for the phone number and address. You can say, "I'm filling out a Social Security disability form and need your office address and phone number." They're used to this request.
You're building the medical picture. Great work.
Medical exams that show what's wrong
List any medical tests or procedures you've had in the past year or so. CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, EKGs, blood work, hearing tests — anything that shows what's happening in your body.
You don't need to remember every test. List the main ones you remember. Your doctors will have the full medical records anyway. SSA will request them directly.
You're halfway through. You're doing amazing.
What drugs you're taking and why
List every medication you take regularly. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements — if you take it on a regular basis and it's related to your health condition, include it.
For each medication, you'll write:
It's helpful to keep your medication bottle labels or your pharmacy's printout nearby when filling this out. Your pharmacy can print you a complete medication list if you ask.
More than halfway. You're crushing this.
The real-world impact on your life
This is the heart of the disability report. SSA doesn't just care about your diagnosis — they care about what you CAN'T do because of it. Can you get yourself dressed? Can you prepare a meal? Can you shop for groceries? Can you take care of your personal hygiene? These everyday tasks are what SSA uses to decide if you're disabled.
Be specific. Don't just say "I can't clean." Say "I can't vacuum because I can't grip the handle and I get dizzy if I stand for more than 10 minutes." SSA wants details about WHAT you can't do and WHY.
This is critical. Describe a day when your symptoms are at their peak. How often does this happen? What can't you do on those days? This is what SSA needs to understand.
Many people downplay their problems or focus on what they CAN still do. For SSA, focus on what you CAN'T do. If your condition makes a task harder or takes longer, say that. If you need help, say that.
This is the hardest section, and you're doing it. Keep going.
Your job history
SSA needs to understand what kind of work you've done so they can see why your condition prevents you from working now. Include every job — full-time, part-time, seasonal, self-employment.
For each job, write:
SSA uses this information to understand what kind of work you're able to do NOW, given your condition. If you used to do heavy physical labor and can't anymore, that's important for SSA to know.
Almost there! You're nearly at the finish line.
Your schooling and training
SSA wants to know your education level and any specialized training or skills. This helps them understand what kind of work you might be able to do (even with your disability).
This is your opportunity to tell SSA something important that didn't fit elsewhere. Maybe your condition is getting worse over time. Maybe you have strong family support. Maybe you're still recovering from recent surgery. This is the place to add that context.
You did it! You filled out the entire form. You've done the hardest part of your disability application. Take a moment to breathe. You should be proud of yourself.
You've completed the SSA-3368. Now SSA will review your form and contact your doctors for medical records. SSA will also use this form to decide whether to approve your disability claim. This is one of the most important documents you'll submit. You did a great job filling it out honestly and thoroughly.
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