Back in december 1999 I contacted my local SSI/SSDI (Social Security Insurance/ Social Security Disability Insurance) because of the Y2K scares going on and the possibility of their office losing the files. I was told that there is more than 1 file - there is the computer file, the paper file at my branch office and the file with my state branch office and one with the National branch. SSI/SSDI is nation wide. they do this as a protocal against all kinds of things - fire, flood, earthquakes, Y2K or even because the person moves from state to state so that there are no missing files and problems if the computers all go down, lost files, nature emergencies or the person moves. Once a person is on Disability all they need to do is take their grant award letter they get in the mail every January to their branch office and the branch office can automatically retrieve files from the other locations. Also it is the Federal branch that issues the federal funds the checks will not stop because of a lost file.

Once a person is on SSDI there are only two reasons that they must completely reapply and that is if the person has been incarcerated (inmates are not allowed to recieve welfare grants and SSI/SSDI grants during their "stay" in prison. and they don't ALWAYS have to reapply, in some cases just notifying the caseworker the person is no longer in prison and once that is varified the checks, foodstamps and medical coverage begins again,

The other way is if the person has been deemed that they no longer require the services of SSI/SSDI. Then the person must appeal

I have moved from state to state clear accross the country three times and have not had to reapply, one of my district offices got flooded from being close to a river and all their files were lost but my checks did not stop and that local agency was able to retrieve my files from the other branches.

I do go through SSDI recerts every 5 years, but this is not to completely reapply. it is basically updating the file for any changes in income and so on.

Call the 1-800 number on your grant award letter you were automatically sent in January by the federal national branch office and they can help you.

If you cannot find the grant award letter the 1-800 number is listed in the phone book.