File through Social Security, not the state of Florida

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), not by Florida. You file the same way whether you live in Florida, California, or Maine. Florida does not have a separate state disability program that runs parallel to Social Security.

The SSA has a field office in most Florida cities and counties. You can file in person at your local office, by phone, or online through the SSA website. Most people in Florida file online or by phone because the wait time for an in-person appointment is often several weeks.

The process itself takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how organized your medical records are. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and a list of doctors and hospitals you have visited in the past 12 months.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for federal SSDI or SSI through the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or in person at a Florida SSA field office — not through the state.
  • The process asks for your work history, medical conditions, medications, doctors' names and addresses, and dates you saw them.
  • You can file online at ssa.gov, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit a field office in person.
  • After you file, the SSA sends your case to the Florida Division of Disability information, which reviews medical evidence and makes the initial decision in 30 to 90 days.
  • If you are denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration, and you can represent yourself or hire a lawyer at any stage.

What documents and information you need before you start

Gather these items before you begin the process. Having them ready cuts the filing time in half and reduces the chance you will have to call back with missing information.

Personal documents: Your Social Security number, birth certificate, and driver's license or state ID. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring your immigration documents (green card, visa, or work permit).

Medical information: Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider you have seen in the past 12 months. Include the dates of your visits. If you have records at home — test results, imaging reports, medication lists — bring those too. The SSA will request records from your providers, but having them on hand speeds the process.

Work history: List every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, dates you worked, and what you did. Include self-employment if you had any.

Financial information (SSI only): If you are filing for SSI rather than SSDI, bring bank statements, proof of rent or mortgage, and information about any other income or resources you own. SSI has strict income and asset limits.

File online at ssa.gov

The online process is called iClaim and is available 24 hours a day. You do not need to create an account first, though you can. The form saves your answers as you go, so you can stop and return later.

Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You will answer questions about your medical conditions, when they started, how they affect your ability to work, your doctors, and your work history. The form is long — expect 30 to 45 minutes — but it walks you through each section.

At the end, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. The SSA will send you a letter in the mail within two weeks confirming they received your process. If you do not receive a letter after three weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 to verify the SSA has your case.

After you file online, the SSA may contact you by phone to ask follow-up questions about your medical history or work. Have your doctor's contact information nearby when you answer.

File by phone or in person in Florida

Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are usually 15 to 30 minutes. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and file your process over the phone.

To file in person, find your local SSA field office at ssa.gov/locator or call the number above. Walk-in hours vary by office. Many offices now require you to make an appointment first. Bring all the documents listed in the previous section. The appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Filing in person is useful if you have complex medical history, language barriers, or prefer to speak face-to-face. It does not speed up the decision — the SSA still sends your case to the Florida Division of Disability information, which takes the same 30 to 90 days to review.

What happens after you file: the review process in Florida

Once you file, the SSA sends your process to the Florida Division of Disability information (DDD), a state agency that contracts with Social Security to review cases. DDD is not a separate program — it is the SSA's review office for Florida.

DDD will request medical records from your doctors and hospitals. This usually takes two to four weeks. You do not need to send records yourself unless DDD asks you to. If you have recent test results or imaging that are not yet in your doctor's file, you can send them directly to DDD to speed the process. Your case number will be on the letter you receive from the SSA.

A disability examiner at DDD reviews your medical evidence and decides whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. The decision takes 30 to 90 days from the date DDD receives your complete medical file. You will receive a letter in the mail stating whether you were approved or denied.

If you are approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration.

What to do if you are denied

You have four levels of appeal after a denial. Most people start with reconsideration, which is a second review by a different examiner at DDD.

To request reconsideration, you must file within 60 days of the date on your denial letter. You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Florida SSA field office. Tell them you want to request reconsideration and provide your case number from the denial letter.

At reconsideration, you can submit new medical evidence — recent test results, a letter from your doctor, or updated treatment records. New evidence often makes the difference. The reconsideration decision takes another 30 to 90 days.

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal hearing, but you do not need a lawyer. Many people hire a disability lawyer at this stage because the hearing process is more complex. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my process is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not hurt your process as long as you earn less than the SSA's monthly limit, which changes each year. In 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month for SSDI. If you earn more, the SSA may deny your case or reduce your benefits. Report any work income to the SSA when you file.

How long does it take to get a decision in Florida?

The Florida Division of Disability information usually makes an initial decision within 30 to 90 days of receiving your complete medical file. The wait for medical records from your doctors can add two to four weeks. Total time from filing to decision is often 60 to 120 days, but complex cases take longer.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file and represent yourself at every stage. A lawyer is most useful at the hearing level (the third appeal) because the process becomes more formal. At the initial process and reconsideration stages, many people succeed without legal help by submitting strong medical evidence.

What if I have never worked or worked very little?

If you have never worked, you may be able to file for SSI instead of SSDI. SSI does not require a work history. You must have limited income and resources (the limits change yearly). If you worked some years ago but not recently, you may still may have access to for SSDI if your work credits have not expired. The SSA will tell you which program you may have access to for when you file.

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

Yes. If you do not have enough work credits for SSDI but meet the income and resource limits for SSI, the SSA will file you for both programs. You will receive whichever benefit is higher, or SSI if you may have access to for neither SSDI amount nor SSI. The process covers both.