The Two Routes to File for Disability

You have two ways to file for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income). The first is to go to your local Social Security office in person and ask to file. The second is to file online at ssa.gov using the SSDI or SSI process tool. A third option — calling 1-800-772-1213 — lets you start the process by phone, though you will still need to submit documents later.

Which route you choose does not change how long the decision takes or your chances of approval. It only changes where you sit while you fill out forms. Most people who file online report fewer follow-up calls from Social Security, because the system captures more detail upfront. Filing in person works better if you have questions as you go or if you do not have reliable internet access.

You cannot file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. SSDI is based on your own work history or your parent's work history if you became disabled before age 22. SSI is based on your current income and assets, not work history. Social Security will tell you which one you may be able to get based on what you report, but you should know the difference before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online at ssa.gov, in person at your local Social Security office, or by phone at 1-800-772-1213, and all three routes take the same amount of time to process.
  • You will need to report your medical condition, work history, current income and assets, and the date your disability began, so gather those documents before you start.
  • The process itself takes 15 to 45 minutes to complete, but the full decision process takes three to six months on average.
  • Social Security will contact you if they need more information, so keep your phone number and mailing address current in their system.
  • If you are denied, you have 60 days from the denial letter to file an appeal, and most people who appeal end up working with a disability lawyer.

What Documents You Need Before You Start

Gather these documents before you open the process. You do not have to upload them all at once — Social Security will ask for specific ones as they review your case — but having them ready means you will not have to stop halfway through and come back later.

You will need proof of your Social Security number (your card, a tax return, or a W-2), your birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or a state ID). You will also need your most recent tax return or a list of your income from the past year, and if you own property or have savings, you will need to report the value.

For your medical condition, bring the names and phone numbers of all doctors and hospitals that have treated you, the dates you saw them, and what they treated you for. If you have recent test results, imaging, or medical records, those help, but Social Security will request them directly from your providers if they need them. You do not have to pay for records yourself.

If you worked in the past year, have your most recent pay stubs and the name and address of your current or most recent employer. If you are self-employed, bring your business tax returns for the past two years.

Filing Online at SSA.gov

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "explore for Disability" button on the home page. It will take you to an online form that asks about your medical condition, work history, income, and living situation. The form saves your progress, so you can close it and come back later if you need to.

The online form asks you to describe your condition in your own words, list all the doctors and hospitals you have seen, and report your monthly income and any assets you own. It also asks whether you have ever worked and, if so, when you stopped working because of your disability. Answer as accurately as you can — Social Security will verify everything with your employers and doctors.

When you finish, you will get a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. Social Security will send you a letter in the mail within two weeks telling you what happens next and what documents they want you to send. You can also check the status of your process online using your my Social Security account, which you can create at ssa.gov.

Filing in Person at Your Local Office

Find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the address. You do not need an appointment — you can walk in during business hours — but calling ahead to ask about wait times is a good idea. Bring the documents listed above, or at least bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and a list of your doctors.

Tell the receptionist you want to file for disability. They will give you a number and you will wait to be called. When you sit down with a representative, they will ask you the same questions the online form asks: about your condition, your work history, your income, and your living situation. The representative will type your answers into the system as you speak.

The appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. At the end, the representative will give you a receipt with a confirmation number and tell you what to expect next. They may ask you to bring additional documents back to the office, or they may tell you Social Security will contact you by mail.

What Happens After You File

After you file, Social Security sends your case to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. This is a separate agency that makes the actual decision about whether you meet the definition of disability. The DDS office will request your medical records from your doctors and may ask you to see a doctor they choose to do an exam.

You will get a letter in the mail telling you the decision. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you that you have 60 days to file an appeal.

The whole process from filing to decision takes three to six months on average, though some cases take longer if your medical records are hard to get or if the DDS office is backlogged. You can check the status of your case online using your my Social Security account, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 and give them your confirmation number.

If You Are Denied and Want to Appeal

If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. Do not wait — if you miss the 60-day window, you have to start over with a new process.

There are four levels of appeal. The first is called Reconsideration, which means a different examiner at the DDS office looks at your case again. You can submit new medical evidence at this stage, and you should if you have it. The second level is an appeal hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where you can testify and bring witnesses. The third and fourth levels are appeals to the Appeals Council and then federal court, which are rare.

Most people who win on appeal do so at the hearing stage with an ALJ, and most people who go to a hearing work with a disability lawyer. A lawyer will charge you a fee only if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you filed to when you were approved). You can find a disability lawyer through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or by asking your local legal aid office.

Work and Reporting Requirements While Your Case Is Pending

You can work while your disability case is pending, but there are limits. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (as of 2024; this amount changes each year), Social Security may decide you are not disabled. The exact threshold depends on whether you are filing for SSDI or SSI and what your medical condition is.

If you do work, report your earnings to Social Security. Do not hide them — Social Security will find out through tax records, and hiding income can result in overpayment that you will have to repay. If you are approved and your earnings are too high, you may not be able to receive benefits, but you will still have the approval in your record, which matters for future benefits like Medicare.

If you are approved and start receiving benefits, the rules change. SSDI has a Trial Work Period that lets you earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. SSI has stricter limits. Understand the rules for your program before you start working.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it really take to get a decision?

The average is three to six months, but some cases take longer. Initial decisions come faster in states with shorter backlogs. If you file an appeal, add another three to six months for reconsideration, and six to twelve months if you request a hearing before an ALJ. You can check your case status online using your my Social Security account.

Can I file if I am still working?

Yes. You can earn up to $1,550 per month (2024) and still file, though earning more than that may hurt your case. Report all income honestly — Social Security will verify it through tax records. If you are approved, the rules about how much you can earn change depending on your program.

What if I do not have medical records yet?

You do not need them to file. Give Social Security the names and phone numbers of your doctors, and they will request the records for you. You do not pay for this. If you have not seen a doctor, Social Security may ask you to see one they choose before they make a decision.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file on your own. A lawyer is most useful if you are denied and want to appeal, because most people who win at the hearing stage have a lawyer. Lawyers charge only if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay.

What if I move or change my phone number?

Update your address and phone number in your my Social Security account right away, or call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will try to contact you by mail and phone if they need more information, and if they cannot reach you, your case may be delayed or denied.