Where to file and what you need before you start

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with the Social Security Administration, not with the state of Missouri. The SSA runs both programs federally, though Missouri's Department of Social Services administers SSI payments once you are approved. You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

Before you contact Social Security, gather your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment. If you have worked, bring your W-2s or tax returns from the past year. If you are explore for SSI (the needs-based program for people with low income and resources), you will also need proof of your current income, bank statements, and a list of everything you own of value.

Missouri has 32 Social Security field offices. The office that serves you depends on where you live. You can find your local office and its hours on ssa.gov by entering your zip code, or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the address and phone number of the office nearest you.

Key Takeaways

  • You file with the Social Security Administration federally, not with Missouri state government, using ssa.gov, a phone call to 1-800-772-1213, or your local Social Security office.
  • SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI is for people with very low income and resources, regardless of work history.
  • The SSA takes three to six months to make a decision on average, though some cases take longer if the SSA asks for more medical evidence.
  • If the SSA denies you, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and if that is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
  • Missouri's Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) offers free legal help if you need to appeal or understand your rights.

SSDI versus SSI: which program you might file for

SSDI requires that you have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The SSA calculates credits based on your annual earnings; in 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages (the amount changes yearly). Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. If you are under 31, the rules are less strict.

SSI has no work requirement. You can file for SSI if you are disabled, blind, or over 65, and your monthly income is below the federal limit (in 2024, roughly $943 for an individual, though this changes yearly) and your countable resources are under $2,000. Missouri adds a small state supplement to the federal SSI payment, so your total monthly amount may be slightly higher than the federal rate.

You can file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time if you meet the requirements for both. If you are approved for SSDI but the payment is low, you may also receive SSI to bring your total income up to a minimum level — this is called concurrent benefits.

The medical evidence the SSA will ask for

The SSA will not take your word that you are disabled. You must provide medical evidence from a doctor, psychiatrist, or other licensed medical professional showing your condition, how long you have had it, and how it limits your ability to work. The SSA looks for test results, imaging, hospital records, therapy notes, and medication lists — not just a letter saying you are sick.

If you do not have recent medical treatment, the SSA may refer you to a doctor it pays to examine you. This is called a consultative examination, and it is free. The SSA will schedule it and send you the appointment notice. You do not have to pay for it, and the doctor's report goes directly to the SSA.

The SSA uses a list called the Blue Book to decide whether your condition is severe enough to prevent substantial work. The Blue Book lists medical conditions and the evidence needed to prove you meet the criteria for each one. You can read the Blue Book for your condition at ssa.gov/disability/bluebook. If your condition is not listed, the SSA can still approve you if the evidence shows you cannot work, but the bar is higher.

What happens after you file

After you file, the SSA sends your case to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Missouri. The DDS is a state agency that works for the SSA. A team of a doctor and a disability examiner will review your medical records and decide whether you meet the SSA's definition of disability. This usually takes 30 to 90 days, though complex cases take longer.

The SSA will contact you if it needs more information or medical records. If your doctor has not sent records yet, the SSA may request them on your behalf. You can also send records yourself — do not wait for the SSA to ask. The more complete your medical file, the faster the decision.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will tell you your monthly payment amount and when payments begin. For SSDI, you usually receive back pay to the date you filed (or the date your disability began, whichever is later). For SSI, you receive back pay to the month after you filed. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal.

What to do if the SSA denies you

If you are denied, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration. This means the SSA will look at your case again, usually with a different examiner. You can submit new medical evidence with your reconsideration request. Many people are approved on reconsideration because they have had more medical treatment or test results since the first decision.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is a real hearing where you can present evidence and testify. You do not have to have a lawyer, but many people do — a disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative can help you prepare and speak for you at the hearing. You have 60 days from the reconsideration denial to request a hearing.

If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and if that is denied, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. These later appeals are rare and usually require a lawyer.

Free legal help in Missouri

Missouri's Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) offers free legal help to people with disabilities who are fighting a Social Security denial or who need help understanding their rights. You can reach Missouri P&A at 573-636-4863 or through their website. They do not charge a fee.

Some disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, and charge nothing if you lose. The SSA limits what a lawyer can charge: 25 percent of your back pay, up to $7,200 (as of 2024). If you hire a lawyer, the SSA pays them directly from your back pay, so you do not have to pay out of pocket.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask the SSA or your local Social Security office about legal aid organizations in Missouri. Many offer free or low-cost help to people with low income.

Work incentives and what happens after you are approved

If you are approved for SSDI, you can work and still receive benefits under rules called work incentives. The most important one is the Trial Work Period: you can earn any amount for nine months (not necessarily consecutive) without losing benefits. After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period, where you can work and earn up to the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit — in 2024, $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals — and still receive a benefit check.

If you earn more than the SGA limit, your benefits stop, but you can restart them if your earnings drop back below the limit within five years. This is called the Expedited Reinstatement. You do not have to reapply or go through the whole approval process again.

If you are approved for SSI, the rules are stricter. You can earn $65 per month plus half of anything above that without losing benefits. After that, benefits reduce by $1 for every $2 you earn. SSI also counts your resources, so if you save money or receive a lump sum, your benefits may stop if your resources exceed $2,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability while I am still working?

Yes. You can file for SSDI or SSI at any time. The SSA will look at whether you can do substantial work, not whether you are currently working. If you are working but earning below the SGA limit ($1,550 in 2024 for non-blind individuals), you can still file and potentially be approved.

How long does it take to get approved?

The SSA takes an average of three to six months to make a decision on a new process. Some cases are faster; others take longer if the SSA needs more medical evidence or if your condition is complex. If you are denied and appeal, the hearing wait time varies by office but is often six months to a year or more.

What if I do not have a doctor treating me right now?

Tell the SSA when you file. The SSA can refer you to a consultative examination with a doctor it pays. The exam is free, and the doctor's report becomes part of your file. You should also try to get treatment if you can — the SSA looks for ongoing medical evidence, not just one exam.

Will I lose my health insurance if I am approved for SSDI?

No. SSDI recipients are covered by Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits. SSI recipients are usually covered by Medicaid when ready. If you have Medicaid now and are approved for SSDI, you can keep Medicaid in Missouri under a program called Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities, which lets you work and keep coverage even if your earnings are high.

Can I file for my child if they are disabled?

Yes. A child under 18 can file for SSI based on their own disability, or a child under 19 in school can file for SSDI based on a parent's disability or death. A parent or guardian files on the child's behalf. The rules and payment amounts are different for children, so ask the SSA about your child's specific situation.