You start at the Social Security Administration, not your state or doctor

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both federal programs run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You cannot file through your state, your employer, your doctor, or any other agency. The SSA is the only place that takes applications and makes the decision about whether you meet their definition of disability.

You have three ways to start: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Each route takes you to the same process form and the same decision process, but they differ in speed and what happens next.

The online route is fastest if you have a my Social Security account already set up. The phone route works if you prefer to talk through the process with someone. The in-person route is useful if you need help filling out forms or want to hand over documents the same day.

Key Takeaways

  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the only federal agency that takes SSDI and SSI applications — not your state, not your doctor, not a private company.
  • You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office, and all three routes lead to the same process and decision process.
  • Online filing is fastest if you already have a my Social Security account; phone filing takes about 15 to 20 minutes; in-person filing lets you submit documents on the spot.
  • The SSA will assign you a case worker once your process is received, and they will contact you to request medical records and work history.

Filing online through ssa.gov

Go to ssa.gov and look for the link labeled "explore for Disability" in the main navigation. You will need to create or log into a my Social Security account. If you do not have one, you can create it during the filing process — it takes about 10 minutes and requires your email address, a password, and a phone number where the SSA can reach you.

The online form itself takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You will enter your name, address, date of birth, work history for the past 15 years, the date your condition began, and a description of how it affects your ability to work. You do not upload medical records during the online filing — you submit the process first, and the SSA requests records afterward.

Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. The SSA will send you a confirmation letter by mail within two weeks. This is your proof that you filed and the date you filed, which matters for your payment start date if you are later found to have a disability.

Filing by phone

Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and a list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years ready before you call. The wait time varies — it can be 5 minutes or 45 minutes depending on the time of day and season.

When you reach someone, tell them you want to file for disability. They will walk you through the same questions as the online form: your work history, when your condition started, how it limits you, and whether you have worked in the past 12 months. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.

At the end of the call, the representative will give you a confirmation number and tell you when to expect your confirmation letter. Ask them to spell back your address and phone number to make sure they have it right — this is the address where the SSA will mail you forms and decisions.

Filing in person at your local Social Security office

Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some now require one. Call ahead or check the office's page on ssa.gov to see whether walk-ins are accepted.

Bring your Social Security card (or a document with your number on it), a photo ID, and a list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years with the dates you worked. If you have medical records or test results with you, bring those too — the office staff can scan them and attach them to your file right away, which can speed up the process later.

The office staff will fill out the process with you, answer questions about what the SSA needs, and give you a confirmation number when you leave. You will still receive a confirmation letter by mail. In-person filing does not speed up the decision — it just lets you hand over documents when ready instead of waiting for the SSA to request them.

What happens after you file

Within two weeks, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail. It will have your case number and the date you filed. Keep this letter — you will need the case number if you call the SSA with questions or if you need to file an appeal later.

Within 30 days, a case worker will contact you by phone or mail to request your medical records. They will ask you to sign a form that gives the SSA permission to get records from your doctors, hospitals, and therapists. You can sign this form and return it by mail, or you can do it online through your my Social Security account.

The SSA will then request records from every provider you list. This step takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on how many providers you have seen and how quickly they respond. During this time, you do not need to do anything unless the SSA contacts you asking for more information.

If you cannot file online or by phone

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. If you speak a language other than English, the SSA can provide an interpreter on the phone or in the office — tell them your language when you call or arrive.

If you are in a hospital, nursing home, or other institution, you can still file. Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative where you are. They can file your process over the phone or arrange for someone to visit you in person.

If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot file for SSDI or SSI. You must have a valid Social Security number to be found disabled under federal law. If you do not have one, you will need to explore for one through your state's Social Security office before you can file for disability.

Common mistakes when filing

Do not wait to file until you have all your medical records. File as soon as you decide you cannot work. Your payment start date is based on when you file, not when you are approved. If you wait six months to gather records, you lose six months of potential back pay.

Do not assume the SSA has your medical records already. Even if you have been seeing the same doctor for years, the SSA does not have access to their files until you sign the release form and they respond to the SSA's request. Provide the names and phone numbers of every doctor, therapist, hospital, and clinic you have seen in the past five years.

Do not file through a website that is not ssa.gov. Many private companies advertise "disability help" or "disability representation" and charge fees to file your process. The SSA process is free. You can pay a representative to help you after you are approved, but you should never pay to file the initial process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability if I am still working?

Yes. You can file even if you are working now. The SSA will look at whether you can do any work that earns more than $1,550 per month (as of 2024; this amount changes yearly). If you are working but earning less than that, or if you are working part-time while your condition is getting worse, you can still file.

What if I do not have a my Social Security account?

You can create one during the online filing process — it takes about 10 minutes. You will need an email address, a phone number, and a way to verify your identity (usually a credit card or bank account). If you do not want to create an account, file by phone or in person instead.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file on your own without a lawyer or representative. Many people are approved without legal help. You can hire a lawyer or representative later if your case is denied and you need to file an appeal, but you do not need one to start.

How long does it take to hear back after I file?

The SSA typically makes a decision within 3 to 6 months, though some cases take longer. The time depends on how quickly your doctors respond to records requests and whether the SSA needs more information from you. You will receive a decision letter by mail.

What if I filed but lost my confirmation number?

Call 1-800-772-1213 and give the representative your name and Social Security number. They can look up your case and give you your case number and filing date. You can also log into your my Social Security account to see your process status.