These two names sound similar, but the qualifications to get hlw payments and what you might receive are very different. While there are some conditions the Social Security Administration SSA considers so severe they automatically render an applicant disabled, many conditions require careful screening, including answering these five questions:. In addition, qualifying conditions must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. Many people believe you have to be disabled for a certain period of cpllect before you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. That is not true. You can and should apply as soon as you believe you are disabled. There is a mandatory waiting period of five months after your disability begins before you can start receiving benefits. You should apply for Social Security disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. The application process can take three to five months, according to Social Security, and counts as part of the mandatory wa...