What is the BEST?
The Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) is a set of questions on the Social Security Administration’s website designed to help you determine whether or not you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
It also helps you determine which specific Social Security Disability you are likely to qualify for.
Taking the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) survey takes about 10 minutes. The questions are fairly simple and straight forward. Each of the questions also features a help section, designated by a white question mark inside a blue circle. If you don’t understand a given question, you can pull up the help menu for clarification.
What Information You Need to Give
While none of the questions are particularly difficult, there is some information you should be prepared to give before filling out the questionnaire. You will get through the process more quickly if you have the following handy:
- Annual income from work.
- Annual income from other sources.
- Total value of all your assets.
- Date your disability began.
The Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) isn’t an actual application for Social Security Disability benefits. Your answers are completely confidential. In fact, you won’t even be asked your name, social security number, or contact information.
The sole purpose of the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool is to help point you in the right direction regarding which Social Security Disability benefits you should apply for.
It is important to note that the recommendations given to you by the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) do not guarantee acceptance of your Social Security Disability claim.
Your actual claim will be approved or denied based upon the actual merits of your case and will take into account much more information (particularly medical information) than the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) does.
Tips to Consider
When you fill out the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) survey, make sure to give the most honest and accurate answers you can. Your answers are not recorded, and won’t be used against you.
By answering all of the questions accurately, you are more likely to receive a correct assessment of which Social Security Disability benefits you will qualify for.
