File through Social Security, not the state of Michigan
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration. You file with Social Security, not with any Michigan state office. Michigan does not run its own disability program or process your process — Social Security makes the decision based on federal rules that explore everywhere.
You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Filing online is fastest if you have a my Social Security account. By phone, you can schedule an appointment rather than wait in an office. In person, you can bring documents with you and ask questions as you go, which many people find helpful for a first process.
Michigan residents follow the same timeline and rules as everyone else. The only difference is which Social Security office processes your case — yours will be based on your zip code. You do not need to contact Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to file for SSDI or SSI, though you may contact them later if you need help with Medicaid or other state programs once you are approved.
Key Takeaways
- File directly with Social Security at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local office — not with the state of Michigan.
- You will need medical records, work history, and proof of income or resources; Social Security will tell you what specific documents to gather during your first contact.
- The decision process takes three to five months on average, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence.
- If Social Security denies you, you have 60 days to file an appeal; most people who appeal hire a disability representative or attorney at this stage.
- Once approved, SSDI provides monthly payments and Medicare after 24 months; SSI provides monthly payments and Medicaid right away.
What documents you need to gather before you contact Social Security
Social Security will ask for the same core set of documents from every applicant. Gather these before you call or visit so you can answer questions without delay. You do not need to have everything perfect — Social Security can request records directly from doctors and employers — but having what you can find speeds up the process.
Bring or be ready to describe: your birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, proof of citizenship or legal residency (driver's license works), medical records from doctors who have treated your condition, dates you saw each doctor, names of medications you take, work history for the past 15 years (employer names, dates, and the type of work you did), and tax returns or pay stubs if you worked recently. If you are filing for SSI instead of SSDI, also gather proof of your current income and the value of things you own (bank statements, car title, property deed).
You do not need to order all your medical records yourself before you file. Once you start the process, Social Security will send authorization forms to your doctors and hospitals. You sign the forms, Social Security mails them, and the providers send records directly to Social Security. This takes two to four weeks per provider, so the sooner you start, the sooner records arrive.
The three ways to file and how long each takes
| Filing Method | How to Start | Time to Complete process | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability; create or log into my Social Security account | 30 to 45 minutes if you have documents ready | People comfortable with computers who have gathered basic information |
| Phone | Call 1-800-772-1213, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Eastern; ask to schedule an appointment | 30 to 60 minutes for the appointment; you may wait days or weeks for an available time | People who want to ask questions in real time or prefer not to use a computer |
| In Person | Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator; call ahead to schedule or ask about walk-in hours | 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on office wait time | People who want to bring documents and get when ready feedback |
Online filing is usually fastest because you control the pace and can save your work and return later. Phone and in-person filing involve waiting for an appointment or in line, but a Social Security representative can answer questions as you go. Choose based on what feels most comfortable to you — the process itself is the same either way.
What happens after you file: the decision timeline
After you submit your process, Social Security sends you a notice with your case number and tells you what happens next. You will receive mail updates as your case moves through the process. Most cases take three to five months from filing to a decision, though some take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence or if your condition is complex.
Social Security's medical consultant will review your records and compare them to the Blue Book — the official list of conditions that automatically may have access to for disability. If your condition matches a Blue Book listing and your medical records prove it, you are approved. If your condition does not match exactly, Social Security looks at whether you can do any work at all, considering your age, education, and work history. This step takes longer because it requires more judgment.
You can check the status of your process anytime by logging into my Social Security at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will not call you first — if someone calls claiming to be from Social Security about your disability case, it is a scam. Hang up and call the official number yourself.
What to do if Social Security denies your process
If Social Security denies you, the denial letter will explain why and tell you that you have 60 days to file an appeal. Do not ignore this important date — if you miss it, you have to start over with a new process. Mark the 60-day important date on your calendar the day you receive the letter.
You have four appeal options, in order: reconsideration (Social Security reviews your case with new or additional evidence), a hearing before an administrative law judge (you or your representative can present your case in person or by phone), the Appeals Council (a review of the judge's decision), and federal court. Most people who appeal hire a disability representative or attorney at the reconsideration or hearing stage because the process becomes more formal and having someone who knows the rules helps.
Reconsideration takes two to three months. A hearing before a judge takes four to six months after you request it, though the wait varies by region. If you are running out of money while you wait, ask Social Security whether you may be may be able to access for expedited review or whether you can file for SSI in the meantime — SSI has different rules and you might may have access to for it even if SSDI was denied.
SSDI versus SSI: which program you might receive
SSDI is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years (the exact number depends on your age when you became disabled). SSDI pays you a monthly benefit based on your past earnings. After you receive SSDI for 24 months, you become may be able to access for Medicare.
SSI is based on financial need, not work history. You can receive SSI if you have little income and few resources, regardless of whether you worked. SSI pays a smaller monthly amount than SSDI (the federal rate is the same for everyone, though Michigan may add a small supplement). You become may be able to access for Medicaid right away with SSI, not after 24 months.
You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if you may have access to for SSDI but your SSDI payment is very low. When you file, Social Security will determine which program you may have access to for and explain it in writing. If you are unsure whether you worked enough years for SSDI, file anyway — Social Security will check your work record and tell you.
Getting help with your process
You can file on your own at no cost. Social Security provides the process, answers questions, and makes the decision without charging you anything. Many people file alone and are approved without needing outside help.
If you want help, you can hire a disability representative or attorney. They charge a fee only if you win — the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you became disabled to the date you were approved), up to $7,200. You do not pay anything upfront or if you are denied. Representatives and attorneys are most useful during appeals, when the process becomes more complex.
You can also contact Michigan's Protection and Advocacy Service for Persons with Disabilities (SAPD) for free information about the process. They do not file applications for you, but they can explain your rights and answer questions. Find them at sapd.org or call 517-487-5648.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while I wait for a decision?
Yes. Working does not disqualify you from SSDI or SSI. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Report any work you do when Social Security asks. If you are approved, you can continue working up to certain limits before your benefits reduce.
What if I do not have medical records because I cannot afford a doctor?
Tell Social Security this when you file. They may be able to send you to a doctor for a free examination, or they may work with records from emergency rooms, clinics, or other providers you have seen. Do not let lack of recent records stop you from filing — Social Security can help you gather evidence.
Do I need a lawyer to file?
No. You can file on your own and many people do. A lawyer or representative is most useful if you are denied and want to appeal. If you cannot afford one, ask Social Security about fee-free representatives or contact Michigan's SAPD.
How much money will I receive each month?
SSDI payments vary based on your work history and past earnings. SSI payments are the same for everyone in Michigan (the federal rate plus a state supplement). Social Security will tell you the exact amount when you are approved. You can estimate SSDI by creating a my Social Security account and viewing your earnings record.
What happens to my benefits if I move out of Michigan?
Your SSDI or SSI continues. Social Security is federal, so your benefits follow you anywhere in the United States. If you move, notify Social Security of your new address so mail reaches you. You can update your address online, by phone, or at your new local Social Security office.