The Basic Steps to explore for SSDI

To get SSDI, you file an process with the Social Security Administration (SSA), provide medical evidence that you have a condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and wait for a decision. You can start the process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The SSA will ask about your work history, your condition, the doctors who treat you, and the medications you take.

The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and the names and addresses of the medical providers who have treated you. If you have recent medical records, pay stubs, or tax returns, have those nearby—you may be asked about them during the process.

After you submit your process, the SSA sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office. This office reviews your medical evidence and makes the first decision. Most people receive a decision within 3 to 6 months, though some cases take longer if more medical information is needed.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your SSDI process online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office, and the form itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • The SSA will ask for your work history, medical providers' names and addresses, and details about your condition and treatment.
  • Your process goes to your state's Disability information Services office, which reviews your medical evidence and makes the first decision.
  • Most decisions come within 3 to 6 months, but you can request reconsideration or appeal if you are denied.
  • You do not need a lawyer to explore, though some people hire one to help with an appeal.

What Medical Evidence You Need to Provide

The SSA does not make a disability decision based on your word alone. You must provide medical evidence from a doctor, psychiatrist, hospital, or other treatment provider showing that you have a condition that meets the SSA's definition of disability. This means the condition prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Medical evidence includes doctor's notes, test results, imaging reports, hospital discharge summaries, and mental health treatment records. If you have been treated recently, the SSA will request these records directly from your providers. If your treatment was years ago, you may need to contact the provider yourself and ask them to send records to the SSA.

You do not need to submit every medical record you have ever received. Focus on records from the past 12 months and any records that show the severity of your condition. If you have not seen a doctor in a long time, the SSA may ask you to see one for a consultative examination—a brief evaluation paid for by the SSA to gather current medical information.

How the SSA Decides If You Meet the Disability Standard

The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether you are disabled. First, it checks whether you are working and earning more than a certain amount per month (in 2024, that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals). If you are earning that much, the SSA will deny your claim, because the agency considers that substantial work.

Second, the SSA determines whether your condition is severe enough to limit your ability to work. Third, it checks whether your condition matches or is as serious as a condition on the SSA's list of impairments. This list includes conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and severe mental illness, but it is not the only way to win. Fourth, the SSA looks at whether you can do the work you did in the past. Fifth, the SSA considers whether you can do any other work that exists in the economy, given your age, education, and work skills.

If you are over 55, have limited education, and have worked in manual labor, the SSA is more likely to find that you cannot do other work. If you are younger, have a high school diploma, and have done office work, the SSA may decide you can do other jobs even if you cannot do your old job.

Where to File Your process

Online at ssa.gov is usually the fastest route. Go to the Social Security website, find the "explore for Disability" section, and follow the steps. You can save your progress and come back later if you need to. Online applications are processed the same way as phone or in-person applications.

By phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and submit your process. Phone lines are busiest early in the morning and on Mondays and Tuesdays.

In person at your local Social Security office. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator or call the number above. You can walk in during business hours, though wait times vary. Some offices allow you to make an appointment in advance.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

Once you submit, the SSA sends your process to your state's Disability information Services office within a few days. The DDS office reviews your medical evidence, may request additional records from your doctors, and makes a decision. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining the decision.

If you are approved, the letter will tell you the month your benefits begin and the amount of your monthly payment. SSDI payments are based on your work history and Social Security earnings record, not on your income or assets. Most people receive their first payment one to three months after approval.

If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to ask for reconsideration. At that stage, a different examiner reviews your case and any new medical evidence you provide. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is where many people win their cases.

The Appeal Process If You Are Denied

Denial is common on the first process—roughly two-thirds of initial applications are denied. This does not mean you are ineligible; it often means the SSA needs more or clearer medical evidence. The appeal process has four stages: reconsideration, hearing before an ALJ, Appeals Council review, and federal court.

At reconsideration, you submit new medical evidence or clarify information from your first process. At the ALJ hearing, you appear before a judge (by phone or video conference in most cases) and explain your condition and why you cannot work. You can bring a witness, such as a family member or former coworker, to testify about how your condition affects you. Many people hire a lawyer or non-lawyer representative at this stage.

If the ALJ denies you, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the decision. If the Appeals Council denies you, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. The entire appeal process can take 2 to 5 years, depending on how busy your local ALJ office is.

Working With a Representative During Your process

You do not need a lawyer or representative to explore for SSDI. Many people file on their own and are approved. However, if you are denied and decide to appeal, a representative can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for your hearing, and present your case to the ALJ.

Representatives can be lawyers or non-lawyers certified by the SSA. They are paid only if you win—the fee is 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the month your disability began to the month you are approved), up to a maximum of $6,000. You do not pay anything upfront.

To find a representative, search the SSA's list of accredited representatives at ssa.gov/representation, or ask a local disability advocacy organization for a referral. Some representatives work for nonprofits and charge lower fees or no fee at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my SSDI process is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not hurt your process as long as you earn less than $1,550 per month (in 2024). If you earn more than that, the SSA may deny your claim because it considers that substantial work. Keep records of your earnings and report them to the SSA if asked.

What if I do not have recent medical records?

Tell the SSA the names and addresses of the doctors who have treated you, and the SSA will request the records. If you have not seen a doctor in a long time, the SSA may schedule a consultative examination—a short appointment with a doctor paid for by the SSA—to gather current medical information about your condition.

How much will I receive in SSDI benefits each month?

Your monthly payment is based on your lifetime earnings record, not on your current income or how severe your condition is. The average payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but payments range from a few hundred dollars to over $3,500 depending on your work history. The SSA will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.

Can I get benefits while I am waiting for a decision?

Not from SSDI itself, but you may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while you wait if your income and assets are very low. SSI is a separate program for people with disabilities who have little money. You can explore for both SSDI and SSI at the same time.

What if my condition gets worse after I explore?

Tell the SSA and submit new medical evidence showing the worsening. This can strengthen your case, especially if you are in the appeal stage. New medical records are always helpful and can change the outcome of your case.