Your process is being reviewed by the Social Security Administration, and the process takes time — usually two to four months for an initial decision, though some cases take longer.

Once you submit your SSDI process, it enters a queue at your local Social Security office. A claims examiner will be assigned to your case. That examiner pulls your medical records, work history, and earnings record, then sends your file to a state Disability information Services (DDS) office. The DDS office is where the actual medical review happens — they decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. You will not hear from them directly unless they need more information from you.

During this time, you should not assume silence means rejection. No news is normal. Social Security does not send progress updates unless something is missing from your file.

Key Takeaways

  • Your case moves from your local Social Security office to a state Disability information Services office, where a medical examiner reviews your records against Social Security's disability rules.
  • The review typically takes two to four months, but can stretch longer if your medical records are incomplete or if your condition requires a consultative exam.
  • Social Security will contact you only if they need additional information, a new medical exam, or clarification about your work history.
  • You can check the status of your case by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or logging into your my Social Security account online.
  • If you are denied, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of the denial letter, and most people who appeal with new medical evidence succeed on the second try.

What Happens to Your File During Review

After you submit your process, a Social Security employee at your local office creates a file folder — now digital — containing your process form, your medical records authorization, and your work history. Within a few days to a week, that file is sent to your state's Disability information Services office. The DDS office is a state agency that contracts with Social Security to make the medical decision.

A medical examiner at DDS (usually a doctor or nurse) reads through your medical records. They are looking for one thing: does your condition prevent you from doing any work that exists in the national economy, given your age, education, and work history? This is the legal standard Social Security uses. The examiner does not decide whether you deserve help or whether your life is hard. They decide whether you meet the medical definition.

If your medical records are incomplete — for example, if you listed a doctor but Social Security cannot reach them, or if there are gaps in your treatment — the DDS office will order a consultative exam. Social Security pays for this exam. A doctor they choose will examine you and send a report back to DDS. This adds two to four weeks to your timeline.

When Social Security Contacts You During Review

Social Security will reach out to you only if they need something. The most common reasons are: they cannot locate your medical records, they need you to clarify your work history, or they need you to attend a consultative exam.

If they need medical records, they will send you a form asking you to sign a release so they can contact your doctors directly. You should return this form as soon as possible — delays here delay your entire case. If they need you for a consultative exam, they will send you a letter with the date, time, and location. The exam is free. If you cannot make that appointment, call the number on the letter and ask to reschedule.

If you do not hear from Social Security for several weeks, that usually means your file is complete and is waiting in the queue for a medical examiner to review it. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong.

How Long the Review Actually Takes

Social Security publishes average processing times by state, but these are averages — your case may be faster or slower. The national average for an initial decision is around 60 to 90 days, though some states are faster and some are slower. If your case requires a consultative exam, add another 30 to 60 days.

Cases that take longer than four months usually have one of these reasons: your medical records are hard to locate, you have a complex medical history that requires multiple specialists' records, or your state's DDS office has a backlog. You can ask your local Social Security office for an estimate specific to your state.

Do not call Social Security repeatedly asking for updates. They cannot speed up the review, and calling does not move your case forward. You can call once, after 60 days have passed, to confirm your case is still in process.

Checking Your Case Status Online and by Phone

You can check the status of your case in two ways. The first is through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Log in, go to "Manage Your Benefits," and look for your process status. This shows you whether your case is still under review or if a decision has been made. If a decision has been made, you can see the decision letter there before it arrives in the mail.

The second way is to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number ready. Tell them you want to check the status of your disability process. They will tell you whether your case is still under review and, if they have information, what stage it is in. This call takes about five minutes.

You will receive your official decision by mail. Social Security sends a letter explaining whether you were approved or denied. If you were denied, the letter explains the reason and tells you how to appeal. Keep this letter — you will need it if you decide to appeal.

What to Do If You Are Denied

If your process is denied, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. This important date is firm. If you miss it, you have to start over with a new process.

The first level of appeal is called Reconsideration. You request it by filling out Form SSA-561-U2 and mailing it to the address on your denial letter, or by going to your local Social Security office in person. In Reconsideration, a different examiner at DDS reviews your case from the beginning. This is your chance to submit new medical records, new test results, or new statements from your doctors that explain why your condition is disabling.

Most people who are denied on their first process succeed on Reconsideration if they have new medical evidence. If you were denied because your records were incomplete, gather those records now and include them with your appeal. If you were denied because your condition does not yet meet the medical definition, see a doctor and get updated records showing how your condition has worsened.

What You Can Do While Waiting

While your case is under review, keep doing these things: continue seeing your doctors and getting treatment, keep records of all your medical appointments and test results, and save copies of any new medical reports or test results. If your condition changes or worsens, tell your doctor and make sure it is documented in your medical record.

Do not stop treatment to try to "prove" your disability is real. Social Security looks at your medical records, not at how sick you appear. If you stop going to the doctor, your records will show a gap, and Social Security may assume your condition improved.

If you have a representative — a lawyer or advocate — they can call Social Security on your behalf to check status. If you do not have one and think you might want one, you can hire a disability lawyer at any point, including after you are denied. Most disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, and charge nothing if you lose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my case is still under review or if a decision has been made?

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and check your process status, or call 1-800-772-1213 and give them your Social Security number. Both methods show you whether a decision has been made. Your official decision letter arrives by mail within a few days of the decision.

What if Social Security asks me to go to a consultative exam?

The exam is free and paid for by Social Security. Go to the appointment on the date and time listed in the letter. Bring photo ID and any medical records you have. If you cannot make the appointment, call the number on the letter to reschedule. Missing the exam without rescheduling can result in a denial.

Can I work while my process is under review?

Yes. Working does not affect your process or your chances of approval. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may view you as not disabled. Keep your earnings below this amount if possible, and tell Social Security about any work you do.

What should I do if I disagree with the denial?

File a Reconsideration appeal within 60 days of the denial letter. Get new medical records from your doctors showing how your condition affects your ability to work, and include them with your appeal. Most people who appeal with new medical evidence succeed on the second try.

How much does it cost to appeal?

There is no cost to file an appeal yourself. If you hire a disability lawyer, they typically take 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you became disabled until approval) if you win. Social Security caps lawyer fees at $6,000.