The basic steps to file an SSDI claim

You file a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) by submitting an process to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can start the process in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. Most people file online because it is faster and you can save your progress and return to it later.

When you file, you will need to provide your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and how it limits your work. You will also need to list your work history for the past 15 years, including job titles, employers, and dates. The SSA uses this information to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the dollar amount your benefits will be based on—which depends on your earnings record, not on your medical condition.

After you submit your process, the SSA sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office, which is a separate government agency that makes the medical decision about whether you meet the definition of disability. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. You do not hear back from the SSA itself; you hear from DDS.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at your local Social Security office, and online is usually fastest because you can save and return to your process.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, medical records, and a 15-year work history before you start.
  • The SSA collects your process but sends the medical decision to your state's Disability information Services office, which takes 3 to 6 months on average.
  • If DDS denies your claim, you have the right to request reconsideration, and then appeal to an Administrative Law Judge if reconsideration is also denied.
  • You can work with a disability representative (lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) at any stage, and they are paid only if you win, from your back pay.

What documents you need before you file

Gather these documents before you start your process. Having them ready cuts the time it takes to complete the form and reduces the chance you will have to resubmit or provide missing information later.

Identity and citizenship: Your original or certified birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. A driver's license or state ID card counts as proof of identity but not citizenship. If you were born outside the U.S., bring your green card or visa as well.

Medical records: Copies of all medical records related to your condition—hospital discharge summaries, lab results, imaging reports, doctor's notes, mental health evaluations, and medication lists. If you see multiple doctors, get records from each one. The SSA will also request records directly from your providers, but submitting them yourself speeds up the process. You do not need to submit every page; focus on records from the past 12 months and any that show the severity of your condition.

Work history: A list of every job you have held in the past 15 years, with the employer name, job title, dates you worked there, and how much you earned. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns or profit-and-loss statements. If you cannot remember exact dates, approximate them—the SSA will verify through Social Security records.

Financial information: If you have ever received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), workers' compensation, or other disability benefits, bring documentation. The SSA uses this to check for overpayments or conflicts with SSDI.

How the online process works

The online process is called iClaim and is available at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You create a my Social Security account (or log in if you already have one), then answer questions about your medical condition, work history, and living situation. The form is divided into sections and you can save your progress at any point and log back in to finish later. Most people take 20 to 40 minutes to complete it, though if you have a complex work history or multiple conditions it may take longer.

The form asks you to describe your condition, when it started, which doctors you see, what medications you take, and how your condition affects your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "I have back pain," write "I have a herniated disc in my lumbar spine that causes pain when I sit for more than 30 minutes" or "I have severe depression and anxiety that makes it hard to concentrate or be around people." The SSA passes this description to DDS, and DDS uses it to request the right medical records and understand what to look for in your file.

After you submit the online process, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. The SSA will mail you a notice within two weeks confirming receipt and telling you what happens next. If you do not hear from them within three weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm they received your process.

Filing by phone or in person

If you cannot or do not want to file online, you can call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. A representative will walk you through the process over the phone. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You will still need to provide the same documents—birth certificate, medical records, work history—but you can mail or fax them after the call instead of having them ready beforehand.

You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment, though wait times vary widely. Call ahead to ask about wait times, or check ssa.gov/locator to find your nearest office. Bring all your documents with you. An employee will help you fill out the process on a computer in the office, and you can submit it the same day.

Phone and in-person filing take longer overall than online filing because the SSA has to manually enter your information into their system. If you file by phone, ask the representative to mail you a summary of what you said so you can correct any errors before DDS receives it.

What happens after you file: the DDS review

Once you submit your process, the SSA forwards it to your state's Disability information Services office. DDS is staffed by disability examiners and medical consultants who review your medical records and decide whether you meet the SSA's definition of disability. This is not a quick process. The average wait time is 3 to 6 months, though it varies by state and how busy DDS is.

During this time, DDS will usually request medical records directly from your doctors and hospitals. You do not have to do anything—DDS handles this. However, if you know DDS is missing a record (for example, a recent surgery or hospitalization), you can call your local DDS office and ask them to request it. Your state's DDS phone number is on the notice you received after you filed.

DDS will also contact you if they need more information. They might ask you to attend a consultative examination (CE)—a medical exam paid for by the SSA with a doctor or psychologist DDS chooses. This is not optional; if DDS schedules a CE, you must attend or your claim will be denied. The exam is usually brief (30 to 60 minutes) and the doctor reports back to DDS, not to you.

Understanding the decision letter

When DDS makes a decision, they mail you a notice. If you are approved, the letter tells you your monthly benefit amount, when payments start, and whether you are also approved for Medicare. If you are denied, the letter explains the reason—usually that your condition does not meet the SSA's definition of disability, or that your medical records do not show you cannot work.

Read the denial letter carefully. It will tell you that you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days. Reconsideration means DDS will review your case again, usually with a different examiner. You can submit new medical records or a written statement explaining why you disagree with the decision. Many people win on reconsideration because they have new medical evidence or because the first examiner missed something in the file.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal appeal and you have 60 days to request it. At this stage, many people hire a disability representative—a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate—to present their case. Representatives are paid only if you win, and their fee comes from your back pay (the money owed from the date you filed to the date you are approved), so there is no upfront cost to you.

Working with a representative

You can hire a disability representative at any stage of the process—when you file, during reconsideration, or before your ALJ hearing. A representative can be a lawyer or a non-lawyer advocate certified by the SSA. Both types can represent you before DDS and the ALJ, though only lawyers can represent you in federal court if you appeal further.

Representatives charge a fee only if you win your case. The fee is capped by law at 25 percent of your back pay, with a maximum of $7,200 (as of 2024; this amount changes yearly). You do not pay anything upfront. The representative submits a fee agreement to the SSA, and if you win, the SSA pays them directly from your back pay before sending you the rest.

To find a representative, visit the SSA's list of accredited representatives at ssa.gov/representation, or contact your state's Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, which can refer you to low-cost or free representation. Many disability advocacy organizations also maintain lists of local representatives.

Timeline from filing to first payment

The timeline depends on whether you are approved on the first decision or have to appeal. If DDS approves your claim on the initial review, you will receive your first payment 1 to 3 months after the approval letter. If you are denied and win on reconsideration, add another 2 to 4 months. If you have to go to an ALJ hearing, add another 6 to 12 months.

During the entire process, you are not receiving SSDI payments. However, once you are approved, you receive back pay—a lump sum covering the period from the date you filed to the date you were approved. This is why the date you file matters: filing early means more back pay if you eventually win.

While you wait, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your income and resources are low enough. SSI is a needs-based program separate from SSDI and has much lower income limits, but it can help you while your SSDI claim is pending. Ask about SSI when you file for SSDI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes. You can file while working, and your work history is part of your process. However, if you are earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level—$1,550 per month in 2024—the SSA may assume you are not disabled. If you are working but your condition is severe, explain in your process why you cannot continue working or why your job is not sustainable.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

File anyway. The SSA will request records from your doctors after you submit your process. However, submitting the records you have speeds up the process. If you see a doctor regularly, ask for copies of your last few visits before you file. If you have not seen a doctor in months, consider scheduling an appointment so there is recent medical evidence in your file.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

No. You can file on your own and many people do. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal, a representative can significantly improve your chances of winning. Most people hire a representative at the reconsideration or ALJ stage, not when they first file.

What if I miss the important date to appeal?

The important date to request reconsideration is 60 days from the date on your denial letter. If you miss it, you can ask the SSA for "good cause"—a valid reason for the delay, such as illness, moving, or not receiving the letter. Good cause requests are granted often, so contact your local Social Security office when ready if you realize you missed the important date.

Can I file for SSDI on behalf of someone else?

You can help someone file, but they must sign the process. If the person is unable to sign (due to severe disability or incapacity), you can become their representative payee and manage their benefits, but you still need SSA approval. Contact your local Social Security office to discuss this option.