The First Step: Decide Which Program Fits Your Situation

Social Security runs two separate disability programs, and which one you pursue depends on your work history and age. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes; it is based on your own earnings record. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with little or no work history, or whose work history does not may have access to them for SSDI. The two programs have different rules about how much money you can have, whether you can work, and how much you can earn. Most people do not may have access to for both at the same time, so understanding which program applies to you before you contact Social Security saves time.

If you are under 65 and have worked for at least five of the last ten years, SSDI is usually your path. If you have never worked, worked very little, or worked a long time ago, SSI is more likely. If you are unsure, Social Security's website has a brief questionnaire, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask which program you should pursue based on your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI is for people with a work history; SSI is for people with little or no work history or insufficient earnings credits.
  • You can start the process by phone, online, or in person at your local Social Security office, and you do not need a lawyer to begin.
  • Social Security will ask for medical records, work history, and details about your condition; gathering these before you explore speeds up the review.
  • The initial decision typically comes within three to six months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more information.
  • If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with new medical evidence or a lawyer's help succeed on the second or third try.

How to Contact Social Security and Start Your Case

You have three ways to begin: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online route is often fastest if you have a my Social Security account already set up. You can create an account on ssa.gov, log in, and start an process for SSDI or SSI without waiting for a phone appointment. The process itself takes 15 to 30 minutes and asks basic questions about your medical condition, work history, and household.

If you prefer to speak to someone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are often shorter early in the week and early in the day. When you call, tell the representative you want to start a disability case. They will ask you the same questions as the online form and will schedule a follow-up appointment if they need more details. You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment, though you may wait several hours. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator.

What Documents and Information to Gather Before You explore

Social Security will ask for specific information, and having it ready before you explore makes the process smoother. Bring or have available your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID), and your most recent tax return or W-2 if you have worked. If you are explore for SSI, you will also need to report your bank account numbers, savings, and any property you own.

Medical records are the most important piece. Social Security needs to see reports from doctors, hospitals, therapists, or specialists who have treated you for your condition. Gather the names and phone numbers of all medical providers who have seen you in the past year, and ask each office to send your records to Social Security. Do not wait for Social Security to request them—sending them upfront can cut weeks off the review. If you have test results (MRI, blood work, imaging), mental health evaluations, or hospitalization records, include those too. The more recent and detailed the records, the faster Social Security can make a decision.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

Once you submit your process, Social Security sends it to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. This is not a Social Security office—it is a separate state agency that reviews disability cases. The DDS office will request your medical records from your doctors if you have not already sent them. They may also ask you to see a doctor or therapist they choose, at no cost to you, to evaluate your condition. This is called a consultative exam, and it is common when Social Security needs more recent information.

During this time, you can check the status of your case online through your my Social Security account, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will also send you letters if they need more information or if they have made a decision. Read these letters carefully and respond within the important date they give you—usually 10 days. Missing a important date can delay your case or result in a denial.

Timeline: How Long the Decision Takes

Most initial decisions come within three to six months, though some cases take longer. Cases with straightforward medical evidence—such as a recent cancer diagnosis with clear treatment records or a recent spinal cord injury—often move faster. Cases involving mental health conditions, pain, or conditions that are harder to document medically often take longer because Social Security may order additional exams or ask for more detail from your doctors.

If Social Security needs more information, they will send you a letter asking for it. Respond as quickly as you can. If you do not respond within the important date, Social Security may deny your case based on what they have, even if more information would have helped you. If your case is taking longer than six months, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update. Sometimes a call can move a stalled case forward.

Understanding the Initial Decision Letter

Social Security will send you a letter with their decision: approved, denied, or approved for a different program than you expected (for example, approved for SSI instead of SSDI). If you are approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits start, how much you will receive each month, and when you will become may be able to access for Medicare or Medicaid. Read this letter carefully because it also explains your work incentives—the rules about how much you can earn while still receiving benefits.

If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason. Common reasons include: your condition does not meet Social Security's definition of disability, your medical records do not show you cannot work, or your work history does not may have access to you for SSDI. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal, though you can ask Social Security for more time if you need it.

What to Do If You Are Denied

A denial is not the end. Most people who are denied initially succeed on appeal, especially if they gather new medical evidence or work with a lawyer. You have four levels of appeal: reconsideration (a different Social Security employee reviews your case), a hearing before an administrative law judge, the Appeals Council, and federal court. Most people who appeal with updated medical records or a lawyer's help win at the hearing level, which is the third step.

You do not need a lawyer to appeal, but many people find one helpful. Disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent, capped at $6,000) only if you win. They do not charge you upfront. You can find a lawyer through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or by asking your local legal aid office. If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may represent you for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to start my disability case?

No. You can start and complete your case without a lawyer. However, if you are denied and decide to appeal, a lawyer can significantly improve your chances. Many people hire a lawyer only after a denial, when they are preparing for a hearing.

Can I work while my disability case is being decided?

Yes. Working does not disqualify you from receiving disability benefits, and it does not affect your case while it is pending. However, if you earn more than a certain amount per month (called substantial gainful activity, or SGA), Social Security may use that as evidence that you can work and deny your case. The SGA limit changes each year; in 2024 it is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals.

What if I do not have recent medical records?

Tell Social Security when you explore. If you have not seen a doctor recently because you cannot afford it, Social Security may order a consultative exam at no cost to you. If you have records from years ago, send those too—they help establish your condition's history. But recent records (within the past year) are much more persuasive.

How much back pay will I receive if I am approved?

Back pay is the money Social Security owes you from the date your disability began, not from the date you applied. Your disability date is usually the date you stopped working due to your condition, though Social Security may set it differently based on your medical records. You will receive back pay minus any lawyer fees and medical evidence costs.

What happens to my case if I move to a different state?

Your case stays with the Disability information Services office in the state where you applied. You do not need to reapply or restart the process. Tell Social Security your new address so they can mail you letters and decisions at the correct location.