What you need to do to start the process
To file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you have three options: explore online at ssa.gov, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office in person. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready. If you call or visit in person, a representative will walk you through the questions and can answer them as you go.
You do not need a lawyer or anyone else to file—you can do it yourself. Social Security does not charge a fee to explore. If you later hire a representative to help with your case, they can only take a fee if Social Security approves it, and only from back pay you receive.
The process asks for basic information: your name, date of birth, where you live, your work history, and details about your medical condition. You will also need to list the doctors and hospitals that have treated you. Social Security uses this information to request your medical records directly, so you do not have to collect them yourself.
Key Takeaways
- You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
- The process asks for your work history, medical providers, and details about your condition—you do not need to gather medical records yourself.
- Social Security will request your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you list on the form.
- The entire process from filing to a decision typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of the denial letter.
Documents and information to have ready
Before you start, gather these items so the process moves faster. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport or green card), and your driver's license or state ID. If you are married, have your spouse's Social Security number and birth date.
Have a list of every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, what you did, when you started and stopped, and how much you earned. You do not need to be exact—approximate dates and earnings are fine. Social Security can verify the rest through their records.
Write down the names and addresses of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and therapists who have treated you for your condition. Include the dates you saw them, if you remember them. Social Security will contact these providers to get your medical records, so accuracy here matters. If you have seen many providers, list the most recent and most relevant ones first.
What happens after you file
Once you submit your process, Social Security sends you a confirmation letter with a case number. Keep this number—you will use it if you call to check on your case or if you need to appeal. Social Security then requests your medical records from the doctors you listed. This step usually takes two to four weeks.
A Social Security examiner reviews your medical records and work history to decide whether your condition prevents you from working. If they need more information, they may ask your doctor to fill out a form or may schedule you for a medical exam paid for by Social Security. You will receive a letter if this happens.
The decision letter arrives by mail. It will say whether you are approved, denied, or approved for a different program than you applied for (for example, SSI instead of SSDI). If you are approved, the letter explains when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to appeal.
The difference between SSDI and SSI
Social Security offers two disability programs, and which one you may be able to receive depends on your work history and income. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work record or your parent's work record if you became disabled before age 22. To receive SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The amount you receive is based on how much you or your parent earned.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with low income and few resources, regardless of work history. You can receive SSI if you have less than $2,000 in countable resources (this amount varies slightly by state and changes yearly). SSI pays a federal amount each month, and some states add extra money on top.
You can explore for both programs at the same time. Social Security will review your case for both and tell you which one you may receive. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI together, though the total amount is limited.
Timeline: what to expect and when
The timeline varies, but here is what typically happens. You file your process on day one. Within two weeks, you receive a confirmation letter. Within two to four weeks, Social Security requests your medical records. Within four to eight weeks, the examiner reviews everything and makes a decision. You receive the decision letter by mail.
From start to decision usually takes three to six months. Some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence or if you live in a state with a backlog. If your case is complex—for example, if you have multiple conditions or limited medical records—it may take longer.
If you are denied and appeal, the timeline resets. An appeal can take six months to two years depending on whether you request reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, or both. During this time, you can continue to work and earn money while your case is being reviewed.
What to do if you are denied
If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people start with reconsideration, which means a different examiner reviews your case.
To request reconsideration, fill out form SSA-561 and mail it to the address on your denial letter, or ask Social Security to file it for you when you call. You can also ask to add new medical evidence to your case at this stage. If you have seen a doctor since you applied, or if you have new test results, include those records.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where many people succeed, because you can present evidence and answer questions directly. You do not need a lawyer, but many people find one helpful at this stage. A lawyer can review your case and tell you whether you have a strong claim.
When to consider getting help from a lawyer
You can handle your process and first appeal on your own. Many people do. A lawyer becomes more useful if your case is denied and you are preparing for a hearing, because a lawyer can organize your medical evidence, prepare you for questions, and present your case to the judge.
Social Security has rules about how much a lawyer can charge. They can take a fee only if you win your case, and only from back pay (money owed to you from before the approval date). The fee is limited to 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. This amount is set by law and does not change.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask a non-lawyer representative to help you instead. Representatives include advocates from disability organizations and paralegals. They follow the same fee rules as lawyers and can help you prepare for a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my process is being reviewed?
Yes. You can work and earn money while Social Security reviews your case. However, if you are explore for SSI, your earnings will reduce your monthly payment because SSI is needs-based. If you are explore for SSDI, work earnings do not affect your case while it is pending, but they may affect your benefits later if you are approved.
What if I do not have medical records from my doctors?
Social Security will request them for you. List the doctors and hospitals on your process, and Social Security contacts them directly. If a provider no longer has your records or does not respond, tell Social Security when they ask. You can also ask your doctor's office to send records to Social Security yourself if you want to speed things up.
Do I need to list every job I have ever had?
You need to list jobs from the past 15 years and any recent job that is important to your case. If you worked 20 years ago, you do not need to include it. Be as complete as you can with recent work, because Social Security uses this to understand what you were doing before you became unable to work.
What if my condition got worse after I applied?
Tell Social Security when ready. Call your local office or your case examiner and explain what has changed. You can add new medical records and test results to your case at any time before a decision is made. If you have already been denied, you can include new evidence when you appeal.
How much will I receive each month if I am approved?
For SSDI, your monthly amount is based on your earnings record and is calculated by Social Security. For SSI, the federal amount is set each year and varies by state. The approval letter will tell you your exact monthly amount. You can also call Social Security to ask what amount you might receive before you explore, though the actual amount depends on your final decision.