The Basic Steps to explore for SSDI
You can explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in three ways: online through the Social Security Administration website, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest — you can start and save your process, then return to finish it later. The phone number for Social Security is 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). If you go in person, bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.
The process itself asks for your work history, medical conditions, doctors' names and addresses, medications, and dates you stopped working. You will also need to list any jobs you held in the past 15 years. Social Security uses this information to determine whether your condition prevents you from working and whether you have enough work credits to may have access to.
After you submit your process, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office, which is a separate agency that makes the medical decision. You will not hear back for 30 to 90 days in most cases. During this time, Social Security may contact your doctors directly to request medical records, or they may ask you to attend a consultative exam with a doctor they choose.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office, and the online method lets you save and return to your process later.
- You will need your Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of all doctors who have treated you for your condition.
- Social Security forwards your process to your state's Disability information Services office, which makes the medical decision and typically responds within 30 to 90 days.
- If Social Security needs more information, they will contact your doctors or ask you to see a doctor they choose; you should respond to any requests within the important date they give you.
- If you are denied, you can file an appeal within 60 days of the denial letter, and most people who appeal go through at least one more review before a final decision.
What Documents You Need Before You Start
Gather these documents before you begin your process. You will need your Social Security card (or a record of your number), your birth certificate, and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident — a passport, naturalization papers, or a state ID work. If you are explore based on a work injury, bring any workers' compensation paperwork.
You will also need a complete list of every doctor, therapist, hospital, and clinic that has treated you for your condition. Include their names, addresses, phone numbers, and the dates you saw them. Social Security will contact these providers to request your medical records, so accuracy matters — if you list a doctor's name wrong or give an old address, Social Security may not be able to reach them, and your process could be delayed or denied.
If you have recent medical test results, imaging reports, or hospital discharge summaries, you can upload them during the online process or bring them to your local office. This speeds up the process because Social Security does not have to wait for records to arrive by mail.
The Online process Process
Go to ssa.gov and click "explore for Disability." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. The account requires your email address and a password; Social Security will send you a verification link. Once you are logged in, you can start the disability process.
The form is divided into sections: personal information, work history, medical conditions, doctors and hospitals, medications, and living situation. You can save your progress at any point and log back in to continue. Most people take 20 to 30 minutes to complete it, but there is no time limit — you can work on it over several days if you need to.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number and a receipt. Save this number; you will need it if you call Social Security to check on your case. Social Security will mail you a letter within two weeks confirming that your process was received.
explore by Phone or in Person
If you call 1-800-772-1213, a representative will ask you the same questions as the online form. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, birth date, and the names and addresses of your doctors ready when you call. The representative will give you a confirmation number at the end of the call.
If you go to your local Social Security office, bring all the documents listed above plus a photo ID. You can find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-in appointments are available, but wait times vary — calling ahead to schedule an appointment is usually faster. The office staff will fill out the process with you and answer questions about what Social Security needs from your doctors.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
Social Security forwards your process to your state's Disability information Services office within one week. The DDS office is staffed by disability examiners and medical consultants who review your medical records and work history. They are looking for two things: whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working, and whether you have enough work credits.
Work credits are based on how long you have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Most people need 40 credits to may have access to for SSDI, though the exact number depends on your age. You earn one credit for every $1,640 you earn in a year (this amount changes yearly), and you can earn a maximum of four credits per year. If you have not worked long enough, you will be denied even if your medical condition is severe.
If Social Security needs more information, they will contact you by mail. Common requests include asking your doctors to fill out a form about your condition, asking you to attend a medical exam, or asking for more details about your work history. You will have a important date — usually 10 days — to respond. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied.
Medical Evidence and Consultative Exams
Social Security bases its decision almost entirely on medical evidence. They will request records from every doctor you listed, including office notes, test results, imaging reports, and any diagnoses. If your records are incomplete or outdated, Social Security may schedule a consultative exam (CE) with a doctor they choose and pay for.
A consultative exam is a one-time appointment, usually 30 to 60 minutes long, where the doctor examines you and writes a report for Social Security. You do not have to pay for it. The doctor is not your personal physician — they are evaluating you specifically for disability. Be honest about your symptoms and limitations; downplaying your condition can hurt your case.
If you cannot attend the exam, call the number on the appointment letter when ready and ask to reschedule. If you miss the appointment without calling, Social Security may deny your process.
Understanding the Decision Timeline
Most decisions take 30 to 90 days from the time your process reaches your state's DDS office. Some cases take longer if Social Security is waiting for medical records or if they schedule a consultative exam. You can check the status of your process by logging into your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Social Security will mail you a decision letter explaining whether you were approved or denied. If you were approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you were denied, the letter will explain the reason — usually either that your condition is not severe enough or that you do not have enough work credits.
If you are approved, your first payment arrives within two months. You can choose to receive payments by direct deposit, which is faster and more find than a mailed check.
What to Do If You Are Denied
If Social Security denies your process, you have the right to appeal. You must file your appeal within 60 days of the denial letter — the important date is printed on the letter itself. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court.
Most people who appeal go through reconsideration first, which means a different examiner at your state's DDS office reviews your case. You can submit new medical evidence with your reconsideration request. Many people are approved on reconsideration if they have new test results, a new diagnosis, or additional doctor's statements.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most people are approved. You can bring a representative — a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate — to the hearing. The judge will ask you questions about your condition and your work history, and will review your medical records. The hearing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my process is being reviewed?
Yes, you can work while waiting for a decision. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may consider you able to work and deny your process. If you are approved, you can continue working and earn up to $1,550 per month without losing benefits during a nine-month trial work period.
What if I do not have recent medical records?
Contact your doctors and ask them to send records to Social Security. If you have not seen a doctor in a long time, Social Security may schedule a consultative exam. You can also submit records yourself during the process or by mail to your state's DDS office.
Do I need a lawyer to explore?
No, you can explore on your own. However, if you are denied and file an appeal, a lawyer or advocate can help you prepare for a hearing. Many lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, rather than charging you upfront.
How much will I receive each month if I am approved?
Your monthly payment is based on your lifetime earnings record. The average SSDI payment is around $1,550 per month, but it varies widely. Social Security will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.
What if my condition gets worse after I explore?
Submit new medical evidence to your state's DDS office. If you have already been denied, new evidence can support an appeal. If your process is still pending, new records can strengthen your case.