The Basic Steps to File for SSDI or SSI

You can file for Social Security disability through three routes: 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 online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your medical records and work history ready. Phone and in-person filing take longer but may be easier if you have questions as you go.

Social Security handles two separate disability programs: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), which is based on your work history, and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is based on financial need. You cannot hold both at the same time, but Social Security will file you for whichever one you are most likely to receive. If you have worked and paid into Social Security, you will file for SSDI. If you have little or no work history and limited income and resources, you will file for SSI.

The process itself does not decide whether you are disabled. It collects your basic information, medical history, and work background. Social Security then sends your file to a state disability information office, which reviews your medical evidence and decides whether your condition meets the program's definition of disability. That decision typically takes 3 to 6 months.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online, by phone, or in person; online is fastest if you have your medical records and work history ready.
  • Social Security will determine whether you file for SSDI (work-based) or SSI (need-based) based on your work history and income.
  • The process collects information; a separate state agency decides whether your condition meets disability rules, usually within 3 to 6 months.
  • You will need medical records from your doctors, a list of your jobs and dates worked, and proof of income and resources if you are filing for SSI.
  • You can file even if you are still working, but your earnings may affect SSI payments and trigger work incentive rules under SSDI.

What Documents and Information You Need Before You Start

Gather these items before you begin your process. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID). Have your driver's license or state ID ready as well.

Bring a list of all your medical providers—doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics—with their names, addresses, and phone numbers. You do not need to submit medical records with the process; Social Security will request them directly from your providers. However, having this list ready speeds up the process. If you have recent test results, imaging reports, or mental health evaluations, note the dates and which provider has them.

If you are filing for SSDI, list every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the dates you worked, your job title, and the name and address of each employer. If you are filing for SSI, you will also need to report your current income (wages, benefits, rental income) and your resources (bank accounts, vehicles, property). Bring recent pay stubs, bank statements, and proof of any benefits you receive.

Filing Online at ssa.gov

Go to ssa.gov and select "explore for Disability" under the "Benefits" menu. 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 code to confirm your identity.

The online form walks you through your personal information, medical history, work history, and living situation. You can save your progress and return to it later if you need to gather more information. The form asks detailed questions about your condition, when it started, which doctors you see, and how it affects your ability to work. Answer as completely as you can; vague answers slow down the decision process.

At the end, you will review your answers and submit electronically. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt. Social Security will mail you a formal notice within 5 to 7 business days confirming that your process was received. Keep both the confirmation number and the receipt.

Filing by Phone or In Person

To file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the week. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and enter your answers into the system. The call typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Ask for a confirmation number before you hang up.

To file in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator or call the main number above. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are faster. You can schedule an appointment online or by phone. Bring all your documents and a list of your medical providers. A representative will complete the process with you and give you a receipt and confirmation number on the spot.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

Social Security sends your file to your state's disability information office within 2 to 3 weeks. That office—not Social Security—makes the disability decision. They review your medical records, contact your doctors if they need more information, and compare your condition to the Social Security definition of disability. This process takes 30 to 90 days on average, though some cases take longer if medical evidence is incomplete.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to ask for reconsideration or to file an appeal.

While you wait, you can check the status of your process online through your my Social Security account. Log in and select "View your process status." The status updates as your file moves through the system, though it may not change daily.

SSDI and Work: What You Can Earn While Your process Is Pending

You can continue working while your SSDI process is being decided. Your earnings do not affect whether you are approved, but they do matter for SSI. If you are filing for SSI, your monthly earnings reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar after the first $65 per month (the SSI earned income exclusion). If you are filing for SSDI, your work does not reduce your benefit amount, but Social Security may question whether you are truly unable to work if your earnings are substantial.

If you are approved for SSDI, you will enter a trial work period that lasts 9 months. During this time, you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop if your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024 (the amount changes yearly). If you are approved for SSI, your benefits will be reduced based on your earnings from the start.

If Your process Is Denied: Reconsideration and Appeals

If Social Security denies your process, you have three levels of appeal. The first is reconsideration, which sends your file to a different examiner at the state disability office. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. You can submit new medical evidence, a written statement explaining why you disagree, or both.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal hearing where you can present evidence and testify about your condition. Many people hire a disability lawyer or representative for the hearing; they typically charge a fee only if you win, capped at 25 percent of your back pay. You must request a hearing within 60 days of the reconsideration denial.

If the ALJ denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and then to federal court. These later appeals are rare and usually involve legal questions rather than medical ones. A disability lawyer can advise you on whether an appeal makes sense in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability if I am still working?

Yes. Your work does not prevent you from filing. However, if you earn above the substantial gainful activity limit ($1,550 per month in 2024 for SSDI, or any significant amount for SSI), Social Security may question whether your condition truly prevents you from working. If you are approved, you will have a trial work period during which you can earn any amount.

How long does it take to hear back after I submit my process?

The state disability office typically makes a decision within 30 to 90 days. Some cases take longer if your medical records are incomplete or if your condition is complex. You can check your process status online through your my Social Security account.

Do I need a lawyer to file for disability?

No. You can file on your own and represent yourself through the entire process. However, many people hire a lawyer or representative for the appeal hearing stage, especially if their first process was denied. Lawyers typically charge only if you win and take a fee from your back pay.

What if I do not have recent medical records from a doctor?

Social Security will request records from the doctors you list on your process. If you have not seen a doctor recently, consider scheduling an appointment before you file so that you have current medical evidence. If you cannot afford a doctor, look for free or low-cost clinics in your area or ask Social Security about work incentive programs that may help you pay for treatment.

Can I file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?

Social Security will file you for whichever program you are most likely to receive based on your work history and income. You cannot receive both programs at the same time, but if you are approved for SSDI and your benefit is very low, you may also receive a small SSI payment to bring you to the federal minimum.