The Basic Steps to File for SSDI

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) by submitting a claim to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can start the process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. The SSA will ask you to describe your medical condition, when it started, which doctors have treated you, and how it prevents you from working. You do not need a lawyer to file, though some people hire one after a denial.

The entire process—from filing to a final decision—typically takes three to six months if approved at the initial stage, or one to two years if you need to appeal. The SSA will contact you by mail or phone to request medical records, work history, and other documents. You should respond to every request within the important date they give you, usually 10 days, or your claim may be denied for lack of information.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office; online is usually fastest.
  • You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits; the SSA will tell you if you meet this requirement when you file.
  • The SSA will request medical records from your doctors and hospitals; you should respond to every request within 10 days or your claim may be denied.
  • Most first claims are denied; if yours is, you can appeal within 60 days of the denial letter, and many people are approved on appeal.
  • While your claim is pending, you receive no payments; SSDI does not pay retroactively to the date you filed, only to the date your disability began (up to 12 months before you filed).

Work History and Social Security Credits

To be found disabled under SSDI, you must have earned enough Social Security credits through work. A credit is earned when you pay Social Security taxes on your wages; in 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages (this amount changes yearly). Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. Younger workers may need fewer credits.

The SSA automatically checks your work history when you file. If you do not have enough credits, you will be denied for SSDI but may be able to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which has no work requirement. Self-employed people, gig workers, and people who worked for cash without taxes withheld will not have credits for that work and cannot count it toward SSDI.

Medical Evidence: What the SSA Needs

The SSA does not make a disability decision based on what you tell them. They request medical records from every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, and specialist who has treated you. These records must show your diagnosis, test results, treatment history, and how your condition limits your daily activities and ability to work. If you have not seen a doctor recently, the SSA may schedule you for a consultative examination (CE) with a doctor they choose and pay for.

You should gather the names and addresses of all providers who have treated you before you file, because the SSA will ask for them. If you have not received treatment for your condition, the SSA will likely deny your claim, because they have no medical evidence to review. If you cannot afford a doctor, some community health centers offer sliding-scale fees, and some disability advocates can help you find low-cost care.

What Happens After You File

After you submit your claim, the SSA sends you a notice confirming they received it. Within a few weeks, they will mail you a form asking for details about your medical treatment, work history, and daily activities. You will also receive a request for permission to contact your doctors; you must sign and return this form so the SSA can obtain your records. If you do not return forms within the important date, your claim will be denied.

The SSA then sends your file to a state agency called Disability information Services (DDS), which reviews your medical evidence and decides whether you meet the SSA's definition of disabled. DDS is not part of Social Security; it is a separate state office. You will not hear from DDS directly—all communication comes from the SSA. The DDS decision is mailed to you as an approval or denial letter.

Initial Denial and the Appeal Process

Approximately 65 to 70 percent of first claims are denied. A denial does not mean you are not disabled; it means the SSA did not find enough medical evidence that your condition meets their rules. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration (a new DDS review), a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Appeals Council review, and federal court.

Most people who are eventually approved are approved at the hearing stage, after presenting new medical evidence or testimony. You can represent yourself at a hearing, but many people hire a disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative. Representatives are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when your disability began to when you were approved), up to a maximum of $7,200 in 2024.

Documents You Will Need

Gather these documents before you file or have them ready when the SSA requests them:

  • Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number
  • Birth certificate
  • Driver's license or state ID
  • Names and addresses of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers who have treated you
  • Dates of all medical treatment and hospitalizations
  • Names of all medications you take
  • Work history for the past 15 years, including job titles and dates
  • Tax returns or W-2s if self-employed
  • Bank statements or proof of income if you receive other benefits

You do not need to submit all of these at once. The SSA will ask for specific documents as they review your claim. However, having them organized before you file makes it easier to respond quickly when they ask.

Online Filing vs. Phone and In-Person

Filing online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability is usually the fastest route. The online process takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return later. You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Filing by phone takes longer because you must schedule an appointment, and the SSA may have a wait list. Filing in person at your local Social Security office is an option if you cannot use the phone or internet, but offices often have long wait times.

Whichever method you choose, you will receive the same forms and requests for information. The SSA does not process claims faster or slower based on how you filed. After you file, all communication is by mail unless you request phone contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes. You can work and file for SSDI at the same time. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), the SSA may decide you are not disabled, because they assume you can work. The amount changes yearly. If you are approved while working, you enter a nine-month trial work period during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits.

What if I do not have medical records from my doctors?

Contact your doctors' offices and request copies of your records. If a provider has closed or moved, ask the SSA for help locating them. If records do not exist, the SSA may order a consultative examination. If you have never been diagnosed by a doctor, you should seek treatment before filing, because the SSA cannot approve SSDI without medical evidence.

How much back pay will I receive if I am approved?

SSDI pays back to the date your disability began, up to 12 months before you filed. If you filed in January 2024 but became disabled in March 2023, you receive back pay from March 2023 onward. You do not receive payment for any month before you filed. The amount depends on your average lifetime earnings.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

No. You can file and appeal without a lawyer. However, lawyers and non-lawyer representatives know the SSA's rules and can help you gather evidence and prepare for a hearing. If you hire someone, they are paid only if you win, and the fee comes from your back pay, not from your monthly benefit.

What happens to my claim if I move?

Your claim stays with the SSA. You should notify them of your new address by calling 1-800-772-1213 or updating your address online at ssa.gov. If you move to a different state, your case may be transferred to that state's Disability information Services, but the process and timeline remain the same.