You can file for SSDI or SSI entirely online through Social Security's website, but the process differs depending on which program you're explore for and whether you've worked before.
Social Security offers an online process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and you can save your progress and return later. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—the needs-based program for people with low income and resources—you must explore in person at your local Social Security office or by phone; there is no online SSI process.
The online SSDI process asks for your personal information, work history, medical conditions, and the date your disability began. You do not upload medical records during the process itself. After you submit, Social Security assigns your case to a disability examiner who requests your medical records directly from your doctors and hospitals.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI applications are filed online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability; SSI applications must be done by phone or in person at your local office.
- The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save and return to it, but you do not upload medical records during the process.
- Social Security pulls your medical records from your providers after you submit, so list every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider you have seen since your condition began.
- You need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including dates and what you did.
- After you submit online, you may receive requests for more information by mail or phone; responding quickly prevents delays in your case.
What You Need Before You Start the Online process
Gather these documents before you open the process. You will not need to upload them, but you will need the information from them: your Social Security card or number, your birth certificate, and a list of every job you have held in the past 15 years. For each job, write down the employer name, the dates you worked there, and what your job duties were.
You will also need the names and addresses of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider you have seen since your condition began. Include the dates of your visits if you remember them. Social Security uses this list to request your medical records, so being thorough here speeds up the process. If you have seen a provider only once, include them anyway.
If you are explore based on a condition that began after you stopped working, note the exact date you last worked. If you are still working part-time, write down how much you earn per month. Social Security uses this information to determine whether you meet the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is the amount of monthly earnings that disqualifies you from SSDI.
Step-by-Step: Filing the Online SSDI process
Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and click "explore for Disability Benefits." You will be asked to create a my Social Security account if you do not have one already. This requires your email address and a password. Once you are logged in, the process opens.
The form is divided into sections: personal information, work history, medical information, and living situation. You can complete it all at once or save your progress and return later—your answers are stored for 60 days. Fill in your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. Then move to the work history section and list every job from the past 15 years, including the employer, dates, and what you did.
In the medical section, list every condition you believe makes you unable to work. For each condition, write down when it started and the names of all providers who have treated it. Do not describe your symptoms in detail here; Social Security will review your medical records instead. In the final section, answer questions about who lives with you and whether you receive income from sources other than work.
Before you submit, review your answers for accuracy. Once you click submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Write this down and save your confirmation email. This number is how you track your case.
What Happens After You Submit Your process Online
Social Security sends you a letter within two weeks confirming that your process was received. This letter includes your case number and the name of your disability examiner. Keep this letter; you will need the case number if you call Social Security with questions.
Your examiner then requests medical records from every provider you listed. This process takes two to four weeks. If a provider does not respond quickly, Social Security may send a second request or contact them by phone. You do not need to do this yourself, but if you know a provider is slow to respond, you can call them and ask them to prioritize the request.
While your examiner reviews your records, Social Security may send you a letter asking for more information—for example, a list of medications you take, the names of additional providers you forgot to mention, or clarification about your work history. Respond to these requests within the important date stated in the letter, usually 10 days. Missing the important date can delay your case by weeks.
When You Might Need to explore by Phone or In Person Instead
If you are explore for SSI instead of SSDI, you cannot use the online form. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to schedule an appointment at your local office, or go in person. SSI applications require more detailed questions about your income, resources, and living situation, and an interviewer needs to verify information in real time.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number above or use a relay service. If you do not speak English, bring an interpreter or call ahead to request one. Social Security provides interpreters at no cost.
If you have already filed an online SSDI process and Social Security contacts you asking to come in person, do so. This usually means your examiner needs to clarify something that cannot be done by mail or phone.
Common Reasons Your Online process Gets Delayed
The most common reason for delay is an incomplete provider list. If you forget to mention a doctor or hospital where you received treatment, Social Security may not have the full medical picture and will ask you to provide the missing information. To avoid this, think through every place you have received care—primary care doctors, specialists, emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, mental health providers, physical therapists, and any other medical visits.
Another frequent delay is outdated contact information for providers. If you list a provider's address incorrectly or the provider has moved, Social Security's request may not reach them. If you know a provider has recently moved or changed phone numbers, include that information in your process or call your examiner once you receive your case number.
Gaps in your work history can also slow things down. If you list a job but cannot remember the exact dates or employer name, Social Security may ask you to clarify. If you worked under a different name or Social Security number in the past, mention this upfront in the process.
Tracking Your Case After You explore Online
Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov to check the status of your process. The account shows whether Social Security is still gathering medical records, whether they have requested more information from you, and whether a decision has been made. This is faster than calling.
You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and give your case number to speak with someone who can tell you the status. Wait times are shortest early in the morning and on Wednesdays. Have your case number ready when you call.
If you do not hear from Social Security within 60 days of submitting your process, call to confirm they received it. If your process was not received, you will need to file again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload my medical records when I file online, or does Social Security get them?
Social Security retrieves your medical records directly from your providers after you submit your process. You do not upload them yourself. This is why listing every provider's name and address accurately is important—Social Security uses that list to request records.
What if I do not have a computer or internet to file online?
You can call 1-800-772-1213 to file over the phone, or go to your local Social Security office in person. An employee will help you complete the process. You do not have to file online.
How long does it take to get a decision after I file online?
Initial decisions typically take three to six months, though some cases take longer if your medical records are complex or if Social Security needs more information from you. You can check your case status in your my Social Security account or by calling your examiner.
Can I file online if I am still working?
Yes. The online process asks how much you earn per month. Social Security will review whether your earnings exceed the SGA limit. If you are earning below the limit, you can be approved even while working.
What if I made a mistake on my online process?
Call your disability examiner or Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them what needs to be corrected. They can update your process. Do not file a second process, as this creates confusion and delays your case.