Start with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Colorado does not run its own disability program. Instead, you file for federal benefits through Social Security — either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a work history, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have limited income and resources. Both are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the process process is the same regardless of where you live.
The difference matters for your finances: SSDI is based on your prior earnings record, while SSI is a needs-based program for people with little income or savings. You can file for both at the same time if you meet the basic requirements. Colorado does not add a state supplement to SSI, so your federal payment is your only monthly benefit from this program.
You must prove that a medical condition prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. Social Security uses a specific definition of disability — it is not the same as being unable to do your old job. You must be unable to do any work that exists in the national economy, given your age, education, and work history.
Key Takeaways
- You file for federal disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) through Social Security, not through Colorado state offices, by phone, online, or in person at a local Social Security office.
- You need medical records from the past three months showing your condition, a list of all doctors and hospitals you have visited, and proof of your work history or income.
- The process takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete, but the decision can take three to six months or longer if Social Security requests more medical evidence.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and most people who are denied eventually win on appeal with legal representation.
- Colorado has free legal aid organizations that can represent you at no cost if you cannot afford a lawyer.
Gather Your Medical Records Before You File
Social Security will not take your word that you are disabled. You must provide medical evidence from a doctor, hospital, or mental health provider who has examined you. Gather records from the past three months showing your diagnosis, test results, treatment notes, and how your condition limits your daily activities and ability to work.
If you have not seen a doctor recently, schedule an appointment before you file. Social Security often denies claims that lack current medical evidence. You do not need to pay for records yourself — ask each provider's office for copies and request they be sent to Social Security after you file. Most offices charge a small copying fee (usually $0.25 to $1 per page) or provide them free if you are low-income.
Write down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers you have seen in the past year. Include emergency room visits and any specialists. Social Security will contact them to request records, but having this list ready speeds up the process.
File Your process Online, by Phone, or In Person
You have three ways to file: online at ssa.gov, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting a local Social Security office in person. Online is usually fastest — you can start, save your work, and come back to finish later. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes.
If you file online, you will create a my Social Security account and answer questions about your medical condition, work history, family, and income. You do not upload documents during the online process — Social Security will request them after you submit. If you file by phone, a representative will ask the same questions and schedule a follow-up appointment to provide documents.
Colorado has Social Security offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Pueblo, and several other cities. You can find the office nearest you and hours at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-in appointments are available, but calling ahead to schedule reduces wait time.
What Happens After You File
After you submit your process, Social Security sends you a receipt notice with a case number. Keep this number — you will use it to check the status of your claim online or by phone. Social Security then requests medical records from the doctors and providers you listed.
Within one to three months, Social Security may ask you to attend a consultative examination (CE) with a doctor they choose and pay for. This is not optional — if you miss it without a good reason, Social Security can deny your claim. The doctor will examine you and report findings to Social Security, but does not decide whether you are disabled.
A disability examiner at Social Security reviews your medical records, work history, and age to decide whether you meet the definition of disability. This decision usually takes three to six months, though complex cases take longer. You will receive a written decision in the mail.
If Social Security Denies Your Claim
Most people are denied on their first process. This does not mean you are ineligible — it often means Social Security needs more or clearer medical evidence. You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner who reviews it again.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within 60 days. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence and testify about how your condition affects your ability to work. The judge is not the same person who denied you twice, and judges approve claims that examiners denied.
Most people who win disability benefits do so at the hearing stage, and most people who have a lawyer at the hearing win. Colorado Legal Services and Colorado Disability Law Center both represent people for free if you cannot afford a lawyer. You can also hire a private disability lawyer — they are paid from your back pay (the money owed from when you first filed), not from your monthly benefit.
Colorado Resources for Disability Applications
Colorado Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income people, including representation at Social Security hearings. Call 1-888-837-6338 or visit coloradolegalservices.org to see if you may have access to based on income.
Colorado Disability Law Center advocates for people with disabilities and can connect you with legal help. Call 1-800-288-1376 or visit cdlc.org.
Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) is a free service that explains how work affects your benefits if you are on SSDI or SSI. The Colorado WIPA project can be reached through the SSA website or by calling your local Social Security office.
Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) is an online tool where you enter your state and situation and get information about federal and state benefits you may be able to use. Visit db101.org.
Timeline From process to Decision
| Stage | Typical Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| process filed | Day 1 | You submit online, by phone, or in person. You receive a case number. |
| Records requested | Weeks 1–2 | Social Security contacts your doctors and providers for medical records. |
| Consultative exam (if needed) | Weeks 4–8 | Social Security may schedule you with a doctor to examine you and report findings. |
| Initial decision | Weeks 12–26 | A disability examiner reviews everything and mails you an approval or denial. |
| Reconsideration (if denied) | Weeks 12–26 after request | A different examiner reviews your case. You can submit new medical evidence. |
| Hearing (if reconsideration denied) | Months 4–12 after request | An Administrative Law Judge holds a hearing. You can present evidence and testify. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my disability claim is being decided?
Yes. Working does not disqualify you from SSDI or SSI, but your earnings may affect your SSI payment. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), SSI reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn. SSDI has a higher earnings limit called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit — if you earn more than that, Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Ask Social Security about your specific situation before you start working.
How much will I receive if I am approved?
SSDI payments depend on your prior earnings — the higher your earnings record, the higher your benefit. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be higher or lower. SSI payments are the same for everyone in Colorado: $943 per month in 2024 if you are single and have no other income. These amounts change each year. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask what your specific payment would be.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Colorado Legal Services and Colorado Disability Law Center represent people for free if you meet their income limits. If you hire a private lawyer, they are paid from your back pay (the money owed from when you first filed), not from your monthly benefit going forward. Social Security must approve the fee before the lawyer is paid, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less.
Do I have to live in Colorado to file?
No. You file with Social Security, which is federal, so you can live anywhere in the United States. If you move to another state after you file, your case continues with Social Security — you do not have to refile or transfer anything.
What if I have already been denied by Social Security?
You can request reconsideration within 60 days of your denial letter. If that is denied, you can request a hearing within 60 days of that denial. You do not have to start over — Social Security keeps all your records and evidence. If more than 60 days have passed, contact Social Security or a lawyer when ready, as your right to appeal may be limited.