What you need to know before you start

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both federal programs run by the Social Security Administration, not by the state of California. This means the rules, the forms, and the decision-making process are the same whether you live in Los Angeles or Sacramento. California does not have a separate state disability program that you would turn to instead.

What California does have is the Disability information Services (DDS) office that processes your medical evidence after you submit your process. This office is part of the Social Security system, and it's where a doctor and a vocational informed will review your medical records to decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.

The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes online, but the entire process from process to a decision typically takes three to six months. Many people are denied on their first process and then file an appeal, which can add another year or more.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your SSDI or SSI process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office in California.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment dates.
  • California's Disability information Services office will review your medical evidence and decide whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability within three to six months.
  • If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with a lawyer or representative win on the second or third try.
  • While you wait for a decision, you can work and earn money up to a certain limit without losing your benefits once they start.

Starting your process online, by phone, or in person

The fastest way to begin is online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You can fill out the process on your own time, save it, and come back to finish it later. The form asks about your medical conditions, your work history, your education, and your daily activities. You do not need to have all your medical records ready before you start — you can submit them later.

If you prefer to explore by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf or hard of hearing). A Social Security representative will ask you the same questions and submit your process for you. The wait time varies, but calling early in the morning on a weekday is usually faster.

You can also walk into any Social Security office in California and explore in person. To find the office nearest you, go to ssa.gov/locator and enter your zip code. Bring your Social Security number, birth certificate, and a photo ID. You do not need an appointment, but wait times can be long, especially in urban areas.

Documents you will need to gather

Social Security will ask for proof of your identity and citizenship or legal residency. Bring your original birth certificate (or a certified copy), your Social Security card, and a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If you were born outside the United States, you will also need proof of legal residency — a green card, visa, or naturalization papers.

You will also need to list your medical providers and the dates you saw them. Social Security will request your medical records directly from your doctors, hospitals, and clinics, so you do not have to collect them yourself. However, if you have records at home — test results, imaging reports, therapy notes — you can submit them to speed up the process. Mail them to the address Social Security gives you after you submit your process, or upload them through your online account.

If you have worked in the past five years, gather your tax returns or W-2 forms to show your work history. Social Security will also verify your earnings through their own records, so you do not need to be perfect here.

What happens after you submit your process

Once you submit, Social Security sends your process to California's Disability information Services office in Sacramento. This office has a team of doctors and vocational experts who review your medical records. They are looking for one specific thing: whether your condition prevents you from doing any kind of work that exists in the national economy, not just your old job.

The DDS office will contact your doctors to get more information if they need it. They may also ask you to go to a consultative examination — a free medical exam paid for by Social Security — if your records do not show enough detail about your condition. This exam is usually with a doctor you have never seen before, and it takes about an hour.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. The letter will say whether you have been approved or denied, and it will explain the reason. If you are approved, it will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month.

Understanding the decision timeline

Social Security aims to make a decision within 60 days, but California's DDS office typically takes three to six months. The timeline depends on how much medical evidence you have, how quickly your doctors respond to requests for records, and whether you need a consultative examination. Cases with clear medical evidence move faster than cases where the condition is harder to document.

You can check the status of your process online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Log in with your username and password, and you will see whether your process is still being reviewed or whether a decision has been made. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your status.

If you do not hear anything for more than six months, contact your local Social Security office or call the number above. Sometimes applications get delayed in the system, and a phone call can move things along.

What to do if you are denied

About 65 to 70 percent of first-time applicants are denied. This does not mean you are ineligible — it often means Social Security needs more medical evidence or a clearer picture of how your condition affects your ability to work.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who appeal with help from a lawyer or representative win at the hearing level (the third step).

You do not have to wait for your appeal to be decided before you can work or earn money. If you eventually win, your benefits will go back to the date you first applied, and you will receive a lump sum for all the months you waited.

Working while you wait and after you are approved

While your process is being reviewed, you can work and earn as much as you want. Your work will not affect your process or your chances of being approved. However, if you are working and earning a lot of money, Social Security may use that as evidence that you are able to work, which could lead to a denial.

If you are approved for SSDI, you can continue to work and earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) without losing your benefits. This amount changes each year. If you earn more than that, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. This is called the "substantial gainful activity" limit, and it applies for nine months. After nine months of earning above the limit, your benefits stop, but you can restart them if your earnings drop again.

If you are approved for SSI, the rules are stricter. You can earn up to $65 per month plus half of anything above that without losing your full benefit. SSI also counts other income, such as help from family members, so the rules are more complicated.

Getting help with your process

You do not need a lawyer to explore for SSDI or SSI. Many people submit their applications on their own and are approved. However, if you are denied and decide to appeal, a lawyer or representative who specializes in Social Security disability can make a real difference. They know what medical evidence Social Security is looking for and how to present your case at a hearing.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can contact a legal aid organization in California. California Rural Legal information and Community Legal Services both handle Social Security cases for people with low incomes. You can also ask your local Social Security office for a list of representatives in your area.

Lawyers and representatives are paid only if you win. Their fee is either 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you applied) or $6,000, whichever is less. This fee is approved by Social Security, so you will not be surprised by a bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for disability in California if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. You must have a valid Social Security number to explore for SSDI or SSI. If you do not have one, you can explore for one at your local Social Security office or at ssa.gov. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may still be able to get a Social Security number if you have a work visa or are in the process of becoming a permanent resident.

How much money will I receive each month if I am approved?

SSDI payments depend on your work history and how much you earned. The average is around $1,500 per month, but it varies widely. SSI payments are based on your income and assets, not your work history, and the maximum is around $943 per month in 2024. Social Security will estimate your payment amount when you explore.

Do I have to see a doctor that Social Security chooses for the consultative exam?

Yes, if Social Security asks you to have one. The exam is free and is meant to fill gaps in your medical records. You can ask Social Security to use a doctor you already see, but they may not agree. If you cannot attend the exam for a good reason, tell Social Security and ask to reschedule.

What if I move out of California while my process is being reviewed?

Your process will continue to be processed by California's DDS office even if you move. Tell Social Security your new address so they can mail your decision to the right place. Your benefits, if approved, will be sent to you wherever you live in the United States.

Can I work part-time while I am waiting for a decision?

Yes. Working while you wait will not hurt your chances of being approved, though very high earnings might be used as evidence that you can work. Once you are approved, the rules change — you can earn up to $1,550 per month (for SSDI) without losing your benefits.