What You Need to Do to File for SSDI
You can file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready. You do not need a lawyer or third party to file — you can do it yourself, though some people hire a representative later in the process if their case is denied.
Before you start, gather your Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment. You will also need to list all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have visited in the past 12 months. Have your work history ready, including the names and dates of your last jobs. If you are filing based on someone else's record (as a spouse or adult child), you will need their Social Security number and birth date.
The process itself asks about your medical condition, when it started, what doctors you see, what medications you take, and how your condition affects your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "I have back pain," describe what you cannot do — "I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes" or "I cannot lift anything over 10 pounds." Social Security uses this information to decide whether your condition meets their definition of disability.
Key Takeaways
- You can file online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office, and the online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if your documents are ready.
- Gather your Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and a list of all doctors and hospitals you have visited in the past 12 months before you start.
- Describe what you cannot do because of your condition, not just the name of the condition — Social Security needs to know how it affects your work capacity.
- After you file, Social Security sends your case to your state's Disability information Services office, which takes 3 to 6 months to make a decision.
- If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and about one-third of people who appeal win at the hearing stage.
Documents You Must Provide or Have Ready
Social Security requires certain documents to process your process. You need proof of your identity (your Social Security card or birth certificate), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card), and your medical records. If you do not have your Social Security card, you can request a replacement from Social Security at the same time you file for disability.
Medical records are the most important part of your file. Social Security will ask you to sign a form that lets them request records directly from your doctors and hospitals, so you do not have to collect them yourself. However, if you have recent test results, imaging reports, or specialist letters, bringing those with you speeds up the process. List every place you have received treatment in the past 12 months, including the doctor's name, address, and phone number.
You will also need documentation of your work history. Have the names and dates of your last five jobs ready, along with the type of work you did and how much you earned. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years. If you are filing based on someone else's work record (as a spouse or adult child), you will need their Social Security number and proof of your relationship to them.
The Three Ways to File
Online filing is the fastest route if you have internet access and your documents ready. Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. The form saves automatically as you fill it out, so you can stop and come back later. You can submit it at any time, and Social Security will contact you if they need more information. Most people complete the online form in one sitting.
Phone filing works if you prefer to talk through your situation. Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and can answer questions as you go. They will tell you what documents to send in after the call. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
In-person filing at your local Social Security office is an option if you need help or prefer face-to-face contact. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator. You can walk in during business hours, but calling ahead to schedule an appointment usually means a shorter wait. Bring all your documents with you. Office staff can answer questions about what you need and can help you fill out the form if you ask.
What Happens After You File
Once you submit your process, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office. This office is separate from Social Security and makes the actual decision about whether you meet the disability definition. They will review your medical records, may order new tests or exams, and may contact your doctors with questions. This process usually takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if your case is complex or if DDS is backlogged.
Social Security will contact you by mail if they need more information — for example, if they need records from a doctor you forgot to list, or if they want you to see a doctor for an exam. Respond to these requests quickly, because delays can slow down your case. If you move or change your phone number, tell Social Security right away so they can reach you.
You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal, so do not throw the letter away.
Understanding the Disability Definition Social Security Uses
Social Security has a specific definition of disability that is different from other programs. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from doing any substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. "Substantial work" means earning more than a certain amount per month — in 2024, that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals, though these amounts change each year.
Social Security does not care whether you can do the job you used to do. They care whether you can do any job that exists in the economy, taking into account your age, education, and work experience. If you are 55 years old with a high school education and a back injury that prevents you from lifting, Social Security might say you can do sedentary work like data entry, even if you have never done that job before. This is why the medical evidence in your file is so important — it has to show that no type of work is possible for you.
Social Security also has a list of conditions that automatically meet the disability definition if your medical records match certain criteria. These are called "Compassionate Allowances" and include conditions like terminal cancer, early-onset Alzheimer's, and severe forms of cerebral palsy. If your condition is on this list and your records match, your case may be approved much faster — sometimes within weeks instead of months.
What to Do If You Are Denied
About 65 to 70 percent of people are denied on their first process. This does not mean you cannot win — it means you have the right to appeal. You have four levels of appeal: reconsideration (a different Social Security employee reviews your file), hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who win do so at the hearing stage, where you can present new evidence and testify about how your condition affects you.
You do not have to hire a lawyer to appeal, but many people do at the hearing stage. Lawyers who handle disability cases 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 also work with a non-lawyer representative, who charges the same way. If you cannot afford a representative, you can appeal on your own or ask a friend or family member to help you.
When you appeal, you can submit new medical evidence — test results, specialist letters, or updated records from your doctors. You can also explain in writing how your condition has affected your daily life and work. If you go to a hearing, you will testify in front of a judge, and your representative (if you have one) can ask you questions and present your case. The judge will also question you and may ask a vocational informed whether jobs exist that you could do given your age, education, and limitations.
Working While You Wait for a Decision
You can continue working while your process is being reviewed. If you earn more than the substantial gainful activity amount ($1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind individuals), Social Security will likely deny your case, because earning that much suggests you can do substantial work. However, if you earn less than that amount, you can work and still be approved for disability.
If you are approved, you will have a nine-month trial work period during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, you enter the extended may be able to access period, during which you can earn up to the substantial gainful activity amount and keep your benefits. If you earn more than that amount for nine months, your benefits will stop, but you can restart them if your earnings drop again without filing a new process.
Social Security also has a program called Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) that lets you deduct certain work-related costs from your earnings when calculating whether you have done substantial work. For example, if you need a personal assistant to help you get to work, or special equipment, you can deduct those costs. This can help you stay under the substantial gainful activity limit even if your gross earnings are higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for disability if I am still working?
Yes. You can file while working as long as you are earning less than the substantial gainful activity amount ($1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind individuals). If you earn more than that, Social Security will likely deny your case. You can also continue working after you file — your process will be reviewed regardless of whether you are employed.
How long does it take to hear back after I file?
Most cases take 3 to 6 months from the time you file until you receive a decision. Some cases take longer if your medical condition is complex, if you need additional tests, or if your state's Disability information Services office is backlogged. You can check the status of your process online through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Do I need a lawyer to file for disability?
No. You can file on your own without a lawyer or representative. However, if your case is denied and you appeal to a hearing, many people find that having a representative helps. Disability lawyers work on contingency and only charge you if you win, taking a percentage of your back pay.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
You do not have to collect them yourself. When you file, you sign a form that lets Social Security request records directly from your doctors and hospitals. However, if you have recent records and can provide them, it speeds up the process. If you see a doctor regularly, ask them to send your records to Social Security after you file.
Can I file for disability if I have never worked?
If you have never worked, you may be able to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI. SSI is a needs-based program for people with disabilities who have little income or resources. The medical requirements are the same as SSDI, but SSI does not require a work history. You can file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time.