What you need to do to start an SSDI claim
To explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you contact Social Security directly—either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need to provide basic information about yourself, your work history, and your medical condition. Social Security will then review your case to decide whether your condition prevents you from working.
The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You do not need a lawyer or anyone else to file—you can do it yourself. However, the entire process from process to a decision typically takes three to six months, and many people are denied on their first try and must appeal.
Key Takeaways
- You can start your SSDI claim online, by phone, or at a Social Security office, and you do not need to pay anyone to help you file.
- Social Security will ask about your work history, your medical condition, your doctors, and any medications or treatments you receive.
- The decision process usually takes three to six months, and you can check the status of your claim online using your my Social Security account.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal, and many people succeed on appeal or after filing again.
- You must have worked long enough and recently enough to be insured under Social Security—this is separate from proving your condition is disabling.
The three ways to file your process
Online at ssa.gov is the fastest route if you have a computer and internet access. You create or log into a my Social Security account, start the process, and can save your progress and come back to it. You do not have to finish in one sitting. When you submit, Social Security receives it when ready.
By phone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and file your process on the spot. The wait time varies by time of day and season, but calling early in the morning usually means a shorter hold.
In person at your local Social Security office. You can find the address and hours at ssa.gov/locator or by calling the main number above. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait several hours. Some offices let you make an appointment online or by phone, which is faster.
What information Social Security will ask for
Social Security needs to know three things: that you worked and paid into Social Security, that you have a medical condition, and that the condition prevents you from working. Bring or have ready your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport, green card, or state ID works).
You will also need to list your work history for the past 15 years—the jobs you held, the dates you worked, and the names and addresses of your employers. If you cannot remember exact dates, approximate them; Social Security can verify the information through their records.
For your medical condition, you will need the names and addresses of the doctors, hospitals, or clinics that have treated you, along with the dates of your visits. Social Security will contact them directly to request your medical records, so you do not have to gather them yourself. Tell Social Security about any medications you take, any surgeries or hospitalizations, and any treatments like physical therapy or counseling.
How Social Security decides whether you are disabled
Social Security has a specific legal definition of disability: your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work for at least 12 months, or it must be expected to result in death. This is stricter than many people expect. Having a diagnosis alone is not enough—Social Security looks at what your condition actually prevents you from doing.
A Social Security examiner (called a disability examiner) will review your medical records and work history. They may ask your doctors questions about your limitations. If your case is complex or involves mental health or pain conditions, Social Security may send you to a doctor they choose for an examination; they pay for this, and you do not.
Social Security also considers your age, education, and past work. If you are older (typically 55 or over) and your condition prevents you from doing your past job, you may have a better chance of approval than a younger person with the same condition, because it is harder to retrain for new work later in life.
Checking the status of your claim
Once you file, you can check your claim status online using your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Log in, go to "My Requests," and you will see the status of your process. The status will show whether Social Security is still reviewing your case, whether they have made a decision, or whether they need more information from you.
If Social Security needs more information, they will contact you by mail. Read the letter carefully—it will tell you exactly what they need and when they need it by. If you miss the important date, your claim may be denied, but you can still appeal or file again.
You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your claim status, though the online method is usually faster and you do not have to wait on hold.
What happens if you are denied
Most people are denied on their first process. This does not mean your condition is not serious or that you cannot eventually receive SSDI—it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working, or that you do not meet the work history requirement.
You have the right to appeal. The first step is called reconsideration, and you must request it within 60 days of the denial letter. A different examiner will review your case. Many people gather additional medical records or statements from their doctors before reconsideration and include them with their appeal.
If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is where many people succeed, especially if they have a lawyer or representative. The hearing is less formal than a court case—you sit across from a judge who asks you questions about your condition and your work history.
Working with a representative or lawyer
You do not need a lawyer to file for SSDI, but many people hire one, especially after a denial. A lawyer or non-lawyer representative can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for a hearing, and present your case to a judge. Social Security regulates these representatives and caps what they can charge—typically 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you became disabled), up to a maximum of $7,200.
You can find a representative through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or by asking your local legal aid office. Legal aid is free if your income is low. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be completely unable to work to get SSDI?
Yes. Social Security's definition of disability means you cannot do any substantial work, not just your past job. If you can do any other kind of work, even part-time or at lower pay, Social Security may deny your claim. However, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) and still be considered disabled—this amount changes yearly.
How long does it take to hear back after I explore?
Initial decisions usually take three to six months. If you are denied and appeal for reconsideration, add another three to six months. A hearing before a judge can take six months to two years, depending on how busy the judge's office is. You can check your status online anytime.
What if I have been working part-time while disabled?
You can work and still receive SSDI, as long as your earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity limit (currently $1,550 per month in 2024). If you earn more than that, Social Security may find you are not disabled. Report any work to Social Security—they will find out anyway through tax records.
Can I explore if I have never worked?
No. SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you or your employer paid. If you have never worked, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a different program with different rules. Call Social Security to ask which program you might be may be able to access for.
What should I do while I wait for a decision?
Keep all your medical appointments and follow your doctor's treatment plan. Save copies of any medical records, test results, or letters from your doctors. If your condition changes or you see a new doctor, tell Social Security. These details strengthen your case if you need to appeal.