What you need to do to file for SSDI

To file for SSDI, you contact Social Security directly and submit information about your medical condition, work history, and current income. You can start the process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Social Security will ask you to provide medical records, test results, and details about your condition — they use this to decide whether your disability meets their definition.

The process takes time. From the day you file until you receive a decision typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer. You do not need a lawyer to file, but many people find it helpful to have one review their case before submitting, especially if they have already been denied once.

Filing creates an official record with a start date. This matters because if you are approved, your benefits may go back to the date you filed or the date your disability began, whichever is more recent — but only if you file within a certain window. Starting the process early protects you even if the decision takes months.

Key Takeaways

  • You file directly with Social Security online, by phone, or at a local office — no other agency handles SSDI claims.
  • Social Security needs your medical records, work history, and details about how your condition limits your ability to work.
  • The decision process usually takes three to six months, and you will receive written notice of approval or denial.
  • Your filing date matters for when benefits can start, so filing early protects you even while your case is being reviewed.
  • You can file again if denied, and many people work with a disability representative or lawyer on a second filing.

Gathering documents before you file

Social Security needs specific paperwork to process your claim. Start by collecting your medical records — hospital discharge summaries, doctor's notes, lab results, imaging reports, and any mental health or psychiatric evaluations. If you see multiple doctors, get records from all of them. The more recent and detailed the records, the stronger your case.

You will also need your work history for the past 15 years. Write down the jobs you held, the dates you worked, and the type of work you did. Social Security uses this to understand what you were capable of doing before your condition began. If you worked for yourself, gather tax returns or business records showing your income.

Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency ready. If you are filing as someone's spouse or child, you will need their Social Security number and birth certificate as well. Gather bank statements or tax returns showing your current income and resources — Social Security has limits on how much you can earn and own.

Filing online through ssa.gov

The fastest way to start is usually online. Go to ssa.gov and look for "explore for Disability." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one already. The online form asks about your medical condition, when it started, which doctors you see, and how it affects your daily activities and ability to work.

The online process saves your progress, so you can stop and come back later. You do not upload documents during the initial filing — Social Security will contact you after you submit to ask for medical records. Having your documents organized and your doctor's contact information ready makes this step faster when they reach out.

After you submit online, you will receive a confirmation number. Write this down. Social Security will send you a letter with your case number and the name of the person handling your claim. Keep all correspondence in one folder so you can find it quickly if you need to follow up.

Filing by phone or in person

If you prefer to file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security representatives can walk you through the questions and answer questions as you go. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will still need to provide medical records later, but the representative can explain exactly what they need and how to send it.

You can also walk into your local Social Security office and file in person. Find the office nearest you on ssa.gov. Going in person is useful if you have questions or if you need help understanding what documents to bring. Bring originals or certified copies of your birth certificate and proof of citizenship — bring your Social Security card if you have it, though it is not required.

Whether you file by phone or in person, you will receive a case number and a date when Social Security will contact you for medical records. Write down both. If you do not hear from them within two weeks, call back and confirm they received your filing.

What happens after you file

Social Security sends you a letter confirming your filing and explaining what happens next. They will contact your doctors directly to request your medical records — you do not have to do this yourself, though you can speed things up by sending records directly to your case worker.

A disability examiner reviews your medical records and compares them to Social Security's rules for disability. They look at whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from doing any work, not just your old job. This review usually takes two to four months. If they need more information, they may order a consultative exam — a doctor Social Security pays to examine you.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. The letter explains whether you were approved or denied and why. If approved, it tells you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If denied, it explains which requirements you did not meet and tells you how to request reconsideration.

If you are denied

Denial is common on a first filing — roughly two-thirds of initial claims are denied. This does not mean you cannot receive SSDI. You have the right to request reconsideration, which means Social Security reviews your case again with new or additional medical evidence.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. You can do this online, by phone, or in person using the same methods as your original filing. When you request reconsideration, send new medical records if you have them — records from doctor visits after your initial filing, test results, or letters from your doctors explaining why your condition prevents work.

Many people work with a disability representative or lawyer on a reconsideration or appeal. Representatives know what evidence Social Security looks for and can help you gather stronger medical documentation. They are paid only if you win, and their fee comes from your back pay, not from you upfront.

Understanding the medical requirements

Social Security has a specific definition of disability: your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing any substantial work for at least 12 months or result in death. This is stricter than many people expect. Having a diagnosis is not enough — Social Security needs medical evidence showing how the condition limits your ability to function.

For physical conditions, they look at test results, imaging, and doctor's notes describing your limitations. For mental health conditions, they need psychiatric or psychological evaluations, treatment records, and documentation of how the condition affects your thinking, memory, concentration, or ability to interact with others. For pain conditions, they need objective medical findings — not just your report of pain, but test results or imaging that explains it.

Bring all of this together in your medical records. If your doctors have not documented how your condition affects your work ability, ask them to write a letter explaining this. A clear statement from your treating doctor about your functional limitations carries significant weight in Social Security's decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes. You can work and file at the same time. Social Security looks at whether you can do substantial work — currently defined as earning more than about $1,550 per month, though this amount changes yearly. If you earn less than this, you can file and continue working while your case is reviewed.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file on your own without a lawyer. Many people do. A lawyer or representative is most useful if you have been denied and are appealing, or if your case is complex — multiple conditions, gaps in medical records, or a work history that is hard to explain. If you hire one, they are paid only if you win.

How far back can my benefits go if I am approved?

Your benefits can go back to the date you filed or 12 months before you filed, whichever is more recent. This is why filing early matters — if you wait a year to file, you lose the back pay from those months. The earliest your benefits can start is the month after your disability began, according to Social Security's decision.

What if my condition gets worse while I am waiting for a decision?

Tell your case worker when ready. Send updated medical records showing the change. Social Security can use this new information to speed up their review. If your condition is severe and you cannot work at all, you can also ask about expedited review, though this is granted only in serious cases.

Can I file for SSDI and SSI at the same time?

If you have not worked enough to may have access to for SSDI, you may be able to file for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead. SSI has different rules — it is based on financial need, not work history. You can ask Social Security to file for both programs at once, and they will determine which one you may have access to for.