What happens when you sign up for SSDI

When you sign up for SSDI, you are submitting a detailed form to Social Security that describes your medical condition, your work history, and how your condition prevents you from working. Social Security does not make a decision on the day you submit it. Instead, your case goes into a queue, and a Social Security examiner reviews your medical records, contacts your doctors, and decides whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. This process typically takes three to five months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more information from you or your doctors.

You can start the sign-up process in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is usually fastest because you can save your work and return to it later. The phone and in-person routes require you to complete the entire conversation in one session, which can take an hour or more.

Key Takeaways

  • You can sign up for SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office, and the online method lets you save your progress and return later.
  • Social Security will ask for details about your medical condition, the doctors treating you, your work history, and how your condition stops you from working.
  • You will need to provide your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and the names and addresses of all doctors who have treated you for your condition.
  • After you submit your form, Social Security contacts your doctors directly to request medical records, so you do not need to gather them yourself.
  • The decision process takes three to five months on average, and Social Security will mail you a letter explaining whether you were approved or denied.

Documents you need before you start

Gather these documents before you begin the sign-up process. You will need your Social Security number, your birth certificate, and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Proof of citizenship can be a passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of U.S. Citizenship. If you are a lawful permanent resident, bring your green card or an I-797 approval notice.

You will also need the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor, mental health provider, hospital, or clinic that has treated you for your condition in the past 12 months. If you have been treated by many providers, write them all down before you start. Social Security will contact them directly to request your medical records, so you do not need to collect the records yourself or pay for copies.

Have your work history ready as well. Write down the jobs you have held in the past 15 years, the dates you worked at each one, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed or own a business, gather your tax returns from the past two years.

Signing up online at ssa.gov

Go to ssa.gov and look for the link that says "explore for Disability Benefits." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. This requires your email address and a password. Social Security will send you a verification code to confirm your email.

Once you are logged in, you will fill out Form SSA-16, which is the official SSDI process. The form is divided into sections: personal information, medical information, work history, and living situation. You can save your progress at any point and log back in later to finish. Most people take 20 to 40 minutes to complete it, though the time depends on how detailed your work history is and how many doctors you have seen.

After you submit the form online, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. Social Security will also email you a confirmation. Keep this number because you will need it if you call Social Security to check on your case.

Signing up by phone or in person

If you prefer to sign up by phone, call 1-800-772-1213. The wait time varies by time of day and season, but expect to hold for 15 to 45 minutes during business hours. A Social Security representative will ask you the same questions that appear on the online form. Have your documents and work history in front of you before you call.

To sign up in person, find your local Social Security office by visiting ssa.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213. Walk-ins are usually not accepted, so call ahead to make an appointment. In-person appointments typically take 45 minutes to an hour. Bring all your documents with you: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of your doctors and employers.

What Social Security asks about your medical condition

Social Security will ask you to describe your condition in detail: when it started, what symptoms you experience, what medications you take, and what activities you cannot do because of it. Be specific. Instead of saying "I have back pain," explain that you cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without severe pain, or that you cannot lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. Social Security uses these details to match your condition against its list of conditions that automatically may have access to for disability, or to assess whether your condition is severe enough to prevent any kind of work.

You will also be asked about your treatment. Tell Social Security every doctor, therapist, hospital, or clinic you have visited for your condition. Include the dates you were treated and what treatment you received. If you have had surgery, imaging tests, lab work, or mental health treatment, mention all of it. Social Security will contact these providers to get your medical records, so accuracy matters—if you leave out a provider, Social Security may not see important evidence of your condition.

What happens after you submit your form

Once you submit your process, Social Security sends it to a Disability information Services office in your state. This office employs medical examiners and vocational experts who review your case. The examiner will request your medical records from every doctor you listed. This can take two to four weeks. During this time, you do not need to do anything—Social Security contacts the providers, not you.

If Social Security needs more information, they will mail you a letter asking for it. This might happen if a doctor's office did not respond, if your medical records are incomplete, or if Social Security needs clarification about your work history. You will have 10 days to respond. If you miss the important date, your case may be denied, so respond as quickly as you can.

After the examiner reviews all your medical records and your work history, they make a decision and mail you a letter. The letter will say whether you were approved or denied. If you were approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits begin and how much you will receive each month. If you were denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request a reconsideration.

What to do if you are denied

If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to request a reconsideration. This means a different examiner will review your case from the beginning. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request a reconsideration. You can request it online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

When you request a reconsideration, you can submit new medical evidence that was not in your file the first time. If you have had additional treatment, new test results, or a letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot work, include it with your reconsideration request. New evidence can change the outcome.

If you are denied again after reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a more formal process where you can present evidence and testify. Many people who were denied twice are approved at the hearing stage, especially if they have new medical evidence or legal representation. You have 60 days from the second denial letter to request a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign up for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes. You can work and sign up for SSDI at the same time. However, Social Security will look at how much you earn. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide that you are able to work and deny your claim. The exact amount changes each year, so check ssa.gov for the current limit.

Do I need a lawyer to sign up for SSDI?

No. You can sign up on your own without a lawyer. However, if your claim is denied and you request a hearing, having a lawyer or representative can improve your chances. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win, and their fee is limited by law to 25 percent of your back pay.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

You do not need to gather them yourself. When you sign up, give Social Security the names and addresses of all your doctors. Social Security will contact them and request the records. If a doctor's office does not respond, Social Security will follow up. You only need to provide records yourself if Social Security specifically asks you to.

How long does it take to hear back after I sign up?

The average wait is three to five months from the day you submit your form to the day you receive a decision letter. Some cases are decided faster, and some take longer, depending on how complex your medical condition is and how quickly your doctors respond to Social Security's requests for records.

What if my condition gets worse while I am waiting for a decision?

Tell Social Security when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain that your condition has worsened. You can submit new medical evidence showing the change. Social Security will add this to your file, and the examiner will consider it when making a decision.