How to Write a Dire Need Letter for Social Security Disability

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits and you are facing urgent financial difficulties, your case may qualify as a dire need case. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers applicants in dire need if they are unable to access life necessities, including food, shelter, or medicine.

When you apply for SSDI or SSI, inform the SSA about any extenuating circumstances to help expedite the review of your application. Read on to learn more about dire need cases and how to communicate your financial situation to the SSA.

What is a dire need case?

The Social Security Administration defines a disability case as a dire need case if the applicant’s financial circumstance risks their health and safety. The SSA will accelerate the review process for these applications.

Your case might be dire need if:

• You’re homeless

• You’re facing eviction or foreclosure

• You can’t access food

• Your essential utilities are being shut off

• You can’t get the medicine or medical care you need

It is important to note that your financial difficulties must threaten your access to basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and medication. Credit card debt or late payments on non-essential bills do not count.

How to flag your case as dire need step-by-step

If you’re in an urgent financial situation, the last thing you have energy for is jumping through many hoops to get the disability benefits you need. If you face urgent financial circumstances, follow these steps to flag your case as dire need: 

1. Call the SSA. A few days after you submit your initial application, contact your local SSA field office. If you are at the hearing stage of your application, explain the immediate risk to the SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations. 

2. Write a dire need letter. Include a written statement about your financial situation.

3. Gather documentation. If you have it, you can submit documentation like an eviction notice, legal documents, overdue bills, statements from your bank accounts, or a utility shut-off notice with a letter.

4. Get support. A legal representative, such as a disability lawyer or a local service organization, can advocate for you and help prove the severity of your case to the SSA. You can also ask your congressperson to contact the SSA on your behalf.

5. Follow up. Stay on top of the SSA by calling or visiting your local office to ensure they’re reviewing your materials and understanding your risk.

4 tips for writing a dire need letter

In addition to calling the SSA to flag your financial situation, you should also write a dire need letter. This written statement can help categorize your disability case as urgent and will be part of your case file as documentation. Consider the following tips for writing a dire need letter:

1. Write the letter yourself. You know your situation best, and a letter written in your voice will be most accurate and compelling.

2. Be specific. Add details and numbers to illustrate the severity of your situation. For example, instead of saying you’re behind on your bills, say, “I owe $3,000 on a bill that was due three months ago.”

3. Keep it short. Keep your letter short and to the point. Clearly state if you are unable to access food, medication, medical support, or shelter.

4. Include documentation. If you have relevant paperwork, like an eviction or shut-off notice, feel free to include it with your letter to support your situation, but this is not necessary. Writing a letter is the most important thing. 

Dire need letter examples

A dire need letter should address your local SSA office and outline your situation with specific details. The SSA classifies a case as dire need if the applicant lacks food, medicine, or shelter. Refer to the following examples of letters to adjust and craft your own:

Example 1

[Date]

Social Security Administration [Local Office Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Re: Dire Need Letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally flag my disability application as dire need. I am without food and am unable to obtain it. 

I cannot afford enough groceries to feed myself and my family, and the groceries I can buy are difficult to get because I don’t have transportation to get to the store.

Please find attached last month’s bank statement.

Thank you for considering my case.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Date]

Example 2

Social Security Administration [Local Office Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Re: Dire Need Letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally flag my disability application as dire need. I lack medicine or medical care and am unable to obtain it because of a lack of resources.

I cannot afford Liqrev (the medication my doctor had previously had me on), which costs around $2,000 out of pocket, on my own. The lack of treatment has caused my symptoms—such as my chest pain and fatigue — to worsen. 

Please find attached the prescription for Liqrev I cannot fill.

Thank you for considering my case.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] 

Example 3

Social Security Administration [Local Office Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally flag my disability application as dire need. I am without utilities and have no means to remedy the situation.

My water and electricity were shut off on 7/20/24 because I have been unable to catch up on these payments. I am behind $345 on my electric bill and $90 on my water bill.

Please find attached the written shut-off notice from my utility company.

Thank you for considering my case.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] 

Get support with your disability claim

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits and experiencing financial hardship, Atticus can help. A member of our team can offer advice about your situation and, if you'd like, introduce you to a disability lawyer at no upfront cost.

A good disability lawyer can flag your case as dire need and communicate with the SSA on your behalf. In the meantime, check out our resources guide to organizations and services that can help support your financial and social safety net.

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Related resources:

Everything You Should Know About Disability Benefits (SSDI and SSI)

By Sarah Aitchison

An Easy-to-Follow Guide to Applying for Disability Benefits

By Jackie Jakab