Where to Start Your process in Vermont
You can file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Vermont through three routes: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Social Security office. The online route is fastest — you can complete the form without waiting for an appointment, and Social Security will contact you if they need more information. If you file by phone, a representative will walk you through the questions and submit the form the same day. In-person appointments at Vermont Social Security offices take longer to schedule but may help if you have questions during the process.
Vermont has Social Security offices in Montpelier, Rutland, and Burlington. You can find the exact address and hours for your nearest office on ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Walk-ins are accepted but waits can be long; calling ahead to schedule an appointment usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Before you file, gather the documents listed in the next section. Having them ready speeds up the process whether you file online, by phone, or in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can file for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a Vermont Social Security office in Montpelier, Rutland, or Burlington.
- You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, medical records showing your condition and treatment, and work history for the past 15 years.
- SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes; SSI is for people with low income and resources regardless of work history.
- Social Security will contact you within 3 to 5 business days if they need additional documents, and a decision typically comes within 3 to 6 months.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to file a written appeal, and most people who appeal with a lawyer or representative win on reconsideration or at a hearing.
Documents You Need Before Filing
Gather these documents before you start your form. Having them ready prevents delays and reduces the chance Social Security will ask you to resubmit information.
Identity and citizenship: Your birth certificate (original or certified copy), Social Security card, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Acceptable proof includes a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card (green card). If you were born outside the U.S., bring the document that shows you are lawfully in the country.
Medical records: Records from every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, or specialist who has treated your condition in the past 3 years. Include dates of visits, diagnoses, test results, and any medications prescribed. If your condition is recent, bring records from the past 12 months. Social Security will request records directly from providers, but having copies speeds the process.
Work history: A list of every job you have held in the past 15 years, including employer names, dates you worked, and the type of work. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past 2 years.
Bank statements: For SSI only — bring statements showing your current balance if your total resources are under $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married). SSDI has no resource limit.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which Program You May may have access to For
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You do not need to be poor to receive SSDI — income and resources do not matter. You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The number of credits required depends on your age; most people under 31 need 20 credits earned in the past 3 years, and people 31 and older typically need 40 credits total with at least 20 earned in the past 10 years. One credit is earned for every $1,550 of wages (this amount changes yearly), so most full-time workers earn 4 credits per year.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is for people with low income and resources, regardless of work history. Your countable income must be below $943 per month (2024 federal rate; Vermont may add a small state supplement) and your resources must be under $2,000. SSI is means-tested, meaning the more money you have, the less you receive. If you have never worked or did not work long enough for SSDI, SSI may be your only option.
You can file for both programs at the same time. Social Security will determine which one you may have access to for based on your work history and income.
What Happens After You File
After you submit your form, Social Security sends you a notice with your process number and the date they received it. Keep this notice — you will need the process number to check your status or contact Social Security about your case.
Within 3 to 5 business days, a Social Security representative will review your form. If information is missing or unclear, they will call or mail you a request for more details. You have 10 days to respond; if you do not, Social Security may deny your claim. If they ask for medical records, you can authorize Social Security to request them directly from your doctors, or you can submit copies yourself.
A decision typically comes within 3 to 6 months, though cases with complex medical conditions or incomplete records can take longer. Social Security will mail you a written decision letter explaining whether you were approved or denied and why.
What to Do if Social Security Denies Your Claim
If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file a written appeal. Do not wait — missing this important date means you lose your right to appeal and must file a new process instead.
There are four levels of appeal. The first is reconsideration, where a different Social Security examiner reviews your case and any new medical evidence you submit. Reconsideration takes 3 to 6 months. If Social Security denies reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which typically takes 6 to 12 months. If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and finally to federal court.
Most people who win on appeal do so at the reconsideration or hearing stage, especially if they submit new medical records or work with a lawyer or representative. Vermont Legal Aid offers free representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer; you can reach them at 1-800-889-2047. Lawyers who handle disability cases typically charge 25% of your back pay (the money owed from the date you filed to the date you were approved), up to a maximum of $6,000, and this fee is approved by Social Security before payment.
Vermont-Specific Resources and Support
Vermont has several organizations that help people file for disability and navigate appeals. The Vermont Disability Rights Center (1-800-834-7890) offers free information and advocacy. The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (1-802-241-2186) helps people with disabilities return to work and can provide medical documentation to support your claim. Community Action Agencies across Vermont offer benefits counseling and can help you understand whether SSDI or SSI is right for your situation.
If you are receiving SSI and start working, Vermont's Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) program helps you understand how earnings affect your benefits so you do not lose coverage by mistake. Contact the Vermont WIPA project at 1-802-656-4061 for a free consultation.
Vermont also has a Ticket to Work program for SSDI recipients who want to return to work without when ready losing benefits. Under Ticket to Work, you can work and earn money while keeping your health insurance for up to 9 years. This is a federal program, but Vermont's WIPA project can explain how it works in your situation.
Timeline and What to Expect at Each Step
| Step | Timeline | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| File your claim | Day 1 | Submit form online, by phone, or in person with required documents. |
| Social Security reviews your form | 3–5 business days | Wait for contact if they need more information. |
| Submit additional documents if requested | Within 10 days of request | Send medical records, work history, or other proof Social Security asks for. |
| Initial decision | 3–6 months | Receive approval or denial letter in the mail. |
| File appeal (if denied) | Within 60 days of denial | Request reconsideration in writing with new evidence if possible. |
| Reconsideration decision | 3–6 months | Receive second decision letter. |
| Request hearing (if reconsideration denied) | Within 60 days of reconsideration denial | Ask for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. |
| Hearing | 6–12 months after request | Appear before judge (in person or by video) to present your case. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for disability while I am still working?
Yes. You can work and file for SSDI or SSI at the same time. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (2024 limit), Social Security may determine you are not disabled under their rules. If you are approved, you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing benefits during a 9-month trial work period.
Do I need a lawyer to file for disability in Vermont?
No. You can file and appeal on your own. However, most people who win on appeal work with a lawyer or representative. Vermont Legal Aid offers free representation, and private disability lawyers typically charge only if you win, taking 25% of your back pay up to $6,000.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
You can still file. Social Security will request records directly from your doctors and hospitals once you authorize them to do so. Provide the names and addresses of every provider who has treated your condition, and Social Security will contact them. If a provider no longer has records, tell Social Security — they will note it in your file.
How much money will I receive if I am approved?
SSDI payments vary based on your work history and earnings. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but yours may be higher or lower. SSI payments are the federal rate of $943 per month (2024), plus any Vermont state supplement. Social Security will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.
Can I work part-time while receiving SSDI?
Yes, during your trial work period you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing benefits. After 9 months of trial work, Social Security reviews whether you can still work. If you continue earning above the limit, your benefits may stop, but you can restart them if your earnings drop again within 5 years.