Where to check your SSDI process status
You can check your SSDI process status in three ways: through your personal my Social Security account online, by calling Social Security directly, or by visiting a local Social Security office in person. The online account is fastest — you can see updates any time of day without waiting on hold. If you don't have an online account yet, you can create one at ssa.gov in about 10 minutes using your email, phone number, and a way to verify your identity.
When you log into your my Social Security account, look for a section called "Benefit Applications" or "My Applications." This shows every process you've submitted to Social Security, the date you submitted it, and the current status. The status will say things like "We received your process" or "We need more information from you" — not just a vague "pending."
If you prefer to call, the main Social Security phone number is 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Have your Social Security number ready. If you call, a representative can tell you the same information your online account shows, and they can also answer questions about what happens next.
Key Takeaways
- Your my Social Security account shows your process status online anytime, and you can create one at ssa.gov if you don't have one yet.
- The status message tells you what stage your process is in, such as whether Social Security received it or needs documents from you.
- You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office to ask about your process status by phone or in person.
- If Social Security needs more information, they will tell you what documents to send and give you a important date, usually 10 days.
What the status messages mean
Social Security uses a few standard status messages. "We received your process" means your paperwork arrived and they have started the review. This stage can last several weeks while they order your medical records from doctors and hospitals. You don't need to do anything during this time unless Social Security contacts you.
"We need more information from you" means Social Security is missing something they need to make a decision. The message will say what they need — for example, "We need your birth certificate" or "We need medical records from your doctor." When you see this message, follow the instructions to send the missing documents. Social Security usually gives you 10 days to respond, though you can ask for more time if you need it.
"We are reviewing your medical evidence" means Social Security has your records and a doctor or disability examiner is looking at them to decide whether your condition meets their rules for disability. This stage takes the longest — often several weeks to a few months. The status won't change daily; updates come when the review moves to a new stage.
"We made a decision on your process" means Social Security has finished reviewing everything and reached a yes or no. When you see this message, log back in to see the full decision letter, or it will arrive by mail within a few days.
How long each stage usually takes
The time from process to decision varies widely depending on how complete your paperwork is and how busy your local Social Security office is. On average, an initial decision takes 3 to 6 months, but some cases move faster and others take longer.
The "We received your process" stage usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, Social Security is ordering your medical records from every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider you listed on your process. If you listed providers who are slow to respond, this stage can stretch longer.
The "We are reviewing your medical evidence" stage is the longest part. Once Social Security has your records, a disability examiner or doctor reads through them to see whether your condition meets the Social Security definition of disability. This can take 4 to 12 weeks depending on how complex your medical history is and how backed up the examiner's office is.
If Social Security asks for more information, the clock pauses while you gather and send documents. The 10-day window they give you is a important date to respond, not a important date for them to make a decision — the review continues once they receive what you sent.
What to do if your status hasn't changed in a long time
If your status has said "We are reviewing your medical evidence" for more than 3 months, or if you haven't seen any update in 6 months since you submitted your process, it's reasonable to call and ask where things stand. Call 1-800-772-1213 and have your Social Security number ready. A representative can tell you whether the examiner is still reviewing your case or whether something is holding up the process.
Sometimes a delay means Social Security is waiting for medical records from a provider who hasn't sent them yet. If that's the case, you can call the provider's office yourself and ask them to send the records to Social Security. Give them Social Security's fax number or mailing address — the representative on the phone can provide this.
Occasionally, a case gets delayed because Social Security needs you to do something — like attend a medical exam or send a missing document — but the message in your online account didn't update clearly. Calling lets you find out whether there's an action waiting on your end.
How to send documents Social Security requests
When your status says "We need more information from you," Social Security will tell you how to send the documents. Most commonly, you can upload them directly into your my Social Security account, mail them to your local Social Security office, or fax them. Uploading through your account is fastest because Social Security receives it when ready and can see it in your file right away.
If you mail documents, include your name and Social Security number on every page so they don't get separated from your file. Mail them to the address Social Security gave you in the status message. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for mailed documents to reach Social Security and be added to your file.
Keep a copy of anything you send. If Social Security later says they didn't receive something, you'll have proof that you sent it. Take a photo or photocopy before you mail or fax anything.
Checking your status after a denial
If your status changes to "We made a decision on your process" and the decision is a denial, your online account will show the reason — for example, "Your condition does not meet our rules for disability" or "Your work history does not may have access to you." The full decision letter, which explains the reason in detail, will arrive by mail within a few days.
After a denial, you have the option to request reconsideration, which means asking Social Security to review the decision again. You usually have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration. You can request it through your my Social Security account, by mail, or by visiting a local office in person. Requesting reconsideration does not cost anything.
If you request reconsideration, a different examiner will review your case from the beginning. You can send new medical records or other evidence that wasn't in your first process. The reconsideration process takes another 3 to 6 months on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my process status without creating an online account?
Yes. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office in person. Both will tell you the same information your online account shows. Creating an account takes about 10 minutes and lets you check anytime without waiting on hold, so it's worth doing if you can.
What if I see an error in my process status?
Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain what you see. A representative can look at your file and correct mistakes, such as a wrong date or a status that didn't update properly. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.
Does checking my status online slow down my process?
No. Checking your status through your my Social Security account or calling to ask about it does not affect how fast Social Security processes your case. You can check as often as you want without any penalty.
What if Social Security asks me to go to a medical exam?
Social Security will contact you by mail or phone to schedule the exam. The letter or call will tell you the date, time, and location. You must go to the exam — missing it without a good reason can result in a denial. If you can't make the appointment, call Social Security right away to reschedule.
How do I know if my process was actually submitted?
Log into your my Social Security account and look for "Benefit Applications" or "My Applications." If your process appears there with a date, it was submitted. If you applied in person at an office or by mail and don't see it online after 2 weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm it was received.