Where to start your SSDI process in Massachusetts

You can explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in three ways, and all three lead to the same Social Security Administration office that handles your claim. You can explore online at ssa.gov, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit a Social Security field office in person. Massachusetts has 19 field offices across the state — the closest one to you depends on where you live.

The online process is the fastest route if you have a my Social Security account already set up. If you do not have one, you can create it on the same website. The phone line is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. If you prefer to explore in person, you can find your local office by entering your ZIP code at ssa.gov/locator.

Whichever method you choose, you will need the same documents ready before you start. Having them gathered first makes the process faster and reduces the chance you will have to resubmit information later.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online, by phone, or in person at a Massachusetts Social Security office, and all three methods send your claim to the same place.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment.
  • The online process at ssa.gov is usually the fastest option if you already have a my Social Security account.
  • Massachusetts residents can call 1-800-772-1213 to explore by phone during business hours, or visit one of 19 field offices statewide.
  • After you submit your process, Social Security will send you a notice in the mail telling you whether you were approved, denied, or need to provide more information.

Documents you need before you explore

Social Security will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, and citizenship or legal residency status. Have your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and your birth certificate or passport ready. If you were not born in the United States, bring your green card, visa, or other proof that you are legally in the country.

You will also need to list your medical providers and the dates you saw them. Social Security will contact them directly to request your medical records, so you do not have to collect them yourself — but you do need to know which doctors, hospitals, or clinics treated you and roughly when. If you have already gathered your own medical records, you can upload them during the online process or bring them to an office visit, which can speed things up.

Bring information about your work history for the past 15 years, including the names of employers and the dates you worked. You will also need to list any other income you receive — unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, pension payments, or support from family members.

What happens after you submit your process

Once you submit your process, Social Security sends you a notice in the mail with a confirmation number and the date they received it. Keep this notice. Social Security will then contact your doctors and hospitals to request your medical records. This step usually takes four to six weeks.

After Social Security has your medical records, a disability examiner in Massachusetts reviews your case. The examiner decides whether your condition prevents you from working. This review can take two to four months. During this time, Social Security may ask you to attend a medical exam with a doctor they choose, or to answer more questions about your condition and your work history.

You will receive a decision notice in the mail. The notice will say whether you were approved, denied, or whether Social Security needs more information from you. If you are approved, your benefits usually start the month after you become disabled, though there is a five-month waiting period built into SSDI — meaning your first payment arrives six months after your disability began.

explore online versus by phone or in person

The online process at ssa.gov is open 24 hours a day and lets you save your progress and come back to it later. You can upload documents directly, and you will get a confirmation number when ready. Most people who explore online hear back within 30 to 60 days if Social Security does not need additional information.

explore by phone takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A Social Security representative asks you the questions and enters your answers into the system. You will still need to mail or upload documents afterward, but the representative can tell you exactly what to send and where to send it. Phone appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.

explore in person at a Massachusetts field office takes about 30 minutes. You can bring documents with you and hand them over directly, which can speed up the process. However, you need to make an appointment — you cannot walk in. Call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule one, or use the online appointment system at ssa.gov.

If you are denied and want to appeal

If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. You must request an appeal within 60 days of the date on your denial notice. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and federal court.

Most people start with reconsideration, which means a different examiner reviews your case. You can submit new medical records or other evidence that was not in your file the first time. Reconsideration usually takes two to three months.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where many people win their cases. You can bring a representative — a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate — to speak for you. Hearings usually happen six to twelve months after you request one, depending on the judge's schedule.

Getting help with your process

You can work with a Social Security representative payee, a lawyer, or a non-lawyer advocate to help you through the process. A representative payee manages your benefits once you are approved. A lawyer or advocate can help you prepare your process and represent you at a hearing if you are denied.

If you hire a lawyer or advocate, they can charge you a fee only if you win your case — and only with Social Security's permission. The fee is usually 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when your disability began until your first payment), up to a maximum of $7,200. You do not pay anything upfront.

You can find lawyers and advocates through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or by asking a local disability rights organization in Massachusetts. Some community health centers and legal aid offices also offer free help with SSDI applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my SSDI process is being reviewed?

Yes. You can work and earn money while Social Security reviews your claim. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Keep your earnings below this amount if possible, or tell Social Security about your work when you explore so they understand your situation.

How long does it take to hear back from Social Security in Massachusetts?

Initial decisions usually take 60 to 90 days if you explore online and Social Security has all your medical records. If they need more information or want you to see a doctor, it can take longer. Appeals take much longer — reconsideration takes two to three months, and a hearing can take six to twelve months.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

You do not need to collect them yourself. When you explore, tell Social Security the names and addresses of your doctors and hospitals. Social Security will request the records for you. However, having your own copies can speed things up — you can upload them during the online process or bring them to an office visit.

Do I need a lawyer to explore for SSDI?

No. You can explore on your own. However, if Social Security denies your claim and you appeal, having a lawyer or advocate represent you at a hearing increases your chances of winning. Many lawyers work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is based on your work history — you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes. SSI is based on financial need and is available to people who have not worked enough to earn SSDI. You may be able to receive both, but you explore for them separately. Ask Social Security which one you might be able to receive when you explore.