The SSDI process process in Massachusetts starts with the Social Security Administration, not the state

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), so you file with SSA regardless of where you live. Massachusetts does not have a separate state disability program that runs parallel to SSDI. You can start your process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

The SSA has field offices throughout Massachusetts, including in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and other cities. You do not need an appointment to call, but you may wait on hold. If you prefer to visit an office in person, calling ahead to ask about wait times is common practice. The entire process from initial process to a decision typically takes three to five months, though cases that require a medical review can take longer.

Key Takeaways

  • You file SSDI with the federal Social Security Administration, not with Massachusetts, using ssa.gov, a phone call to 1-800-772-1213, or a visit to a local SSA office.
  • You will need medical records from your doctors, a work history covering the past 15 years, and proof of your Social Security number and age.
  • The SSA sends you a decision letter within three to five months in most cases; if denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration.
  • Massachusetts has no state-run disability program, but you may be able to receive both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your income is low enough.

What documents you need before you start

Gather these items before you file. You will need your Social Security card or a record of your number, a birth certificate or other proof of age, and a photo ID. The SSA will ask for your work history going back 15 years, so have a list of employers, job titles, and dates of employment ready.

Medical records are the most important part of your case. Collect records from every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, or specialist who has treated you for the condition that prevents you from working. Include test results, imaging reports, therapy notes, and medication lists. If your doctors have written statements about your limitations, bring those too. The SSA will also request records directly from your providers, but having them yourself speeds up the process.

If you are explore based on a recent injury or illness, gather records from the date the condition started. If you have had the condition for years, records from the past 12 months are most important, though older records that show the history of your condition help too.

How to file your SSDI process in Massachusetts

Online filing is the fastest route. Go to ssa.gov, click "explore for Disability," and complete the form. You can save your progress and return later. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down.

By phone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. A representative will ask you questions and fill out the form on your end. This call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number at the end.

In person, visit a Social Security office in your area. Massachusetts offices are located in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, New Bedford, and other cities. You can find the address and phone number of your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring all your documents with you. The appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

No matter which method you choose, you will be asked the same questions: your medical history, your work history, your current symptoms, and what activities you cannot do because of your condition. Be specific. Instead of "I have back pain," say "I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without severe pain" or "I cannot lift more than 10 pounds."

What happens after you file

After you submit your process, the SSA sends you a receipt notice within two weeks. This notice includes your case number. Keep it. If you do not receive it, call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your process was received.

The SSA then requests medical records from your doctors. This step takes two to four weeks. You can speed it up by sending records yourself to the address on your receipt notice. Include your case number on every page.

Once the SSA has your records, a disability examiner reviews your case. The examiner compares your medical condition to the SSA's list of conditions that automatically may have access to for SSDI (called the "Blue Book"). If your condition is not on the list, the examiner decides whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. This review takes four to eight weeks.

You will receive a decision letter in the mail. The letter will say "approved," "denied," or "approved for a different reason than you expected." If approved, the letter tells you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to request reconsideration.

If your process is denied

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. This is a free second review by a different examiner. You do not need a lawyer, though some people hire one at this stage.

To request reconsideration, fill out Form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) and mail it to the address on your denial letter, or submit it online at ssa.gov. Include new medical records if you have them, or a letter from your doctor explaining why the SSA's decision was wrong. The reconsideration process takes another three to five months.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a more formal process where you can present evidence and answer questions. Many people hire a disability lawyer for a hearing. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and they take a percentage of your back pay (the money owed from when you first became disabled). The hearing process takes two to six months.

SSDI and SSI in Massachusetts

SSDI is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years to be may be able to access. If you do not have enough work history, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a needs-based program for people with low income and few assets.

In Massachusetts, the SSI payment amount changes each year. As of 2024, the federal SSI payment is $943 per month for an individual, but Massachusetts adds a state supplement. You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if your SSDI payment is low enough.

When you file for SSDI, the SSA automatically considers you for SSI as well. You do not need to file separately. If you are denied SSDI but approved for SSI, you will receive SSI payments instead.

Getting help with your process

You can file on your own without paying anyone. The SSA does not charge a fee to file or to receive benefits. However, some people use a representative to help them gather documents, prepare their case, or handle appeals.

A Social Security Representative Payee can manage your benefits once you are approved, but they cannot help you file. A disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative can help you prepare your case and represent you at a hearing. Both must be approved by the SSA. Lawyers charge a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent, capped at $6,000 as of 2024). Non-lawyer representatives charge a flat fee set by the SSA.

You can find an approved representative through the SSA's website at ssa.gov/representation, or through organizations like the Massachusetts Disability Law Center, which offers free legal help to people with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while I wait for an SSDI decision?

Yes. Working does not hurt your case. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (as of 2024), the SSA may decide you are able to work and deny your claim. Keep your earnings below this amount if possible, or tell the SSA about your work when you file so they understand your situation.

How much will I receive each month if I am approved?

Your SSDI payment is based on your lifetime earnings record, not on how disabled you are. The average payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be higher or lower. The SSA will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

No. You can file on your own for free. A lawyer is most useful if your case is denied and you are requesting a hearing. At that stage, having representation increases your chances of approval.

What if I move out of Massachusetts after I file?

Your case continues with the SSA. SSDI is federal, so you can move anywhere in the United States and your benefits follow you. Tell the SSA your new address so they can mail your decision letter and future notices to the right place.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If you are approved, your benefits start the month after your "established onset date" — the date the SSA decides your disability began. Your first payment arrives one to two months after approval. Back pay (money owed from your onset date to your approval date) is usually paid in a lump sum or in installments.