Where to start your SSDI process in New Jersey

You can start an SSDI process in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Social Security office. Most people in New Jersey start online because you can save your work and come back to it, and you do not have to wait on hold. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready.

If you call, a Social Security representative will walk you through the questions over the phone and submit the form for you. If you go to an office, you can bring documents with you and hand them over the same day. New Jersey has 23 Social Security field offices — you can find the one nearest you by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator.

Whichever route you choose, you will need the same information: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records that show your condition and when it started. Have these ready before you begin, whether online or on the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your SSDI process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in New Jersey.
  • The online process usually takes 15 to 20 minutes and lets you save your progress and return later if you need to gather more information.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and medical records showing your condition and its start date.
  • After you submit, Social Security will contact you if they need more information, and the decision typically comes within three to six months.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you can file a reconsideration request or appeal to an administrative law judge without paying a fee.

What documents you need before you explore

Gather these documents before you start: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (passport, naturalization papers, or green card), and your most recent tax return or W-2. You will also need the names and dates of any doctors, hospitals, or clinics that have treated you for your condition.

Medical records are the most important part of your process. Social Security will request them directly from your providers, but having a list of where you have been treated speeds up the process. If you have seen a psychiatrist, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, or any specialist related to your condition, write down their name, address, and the dates you saw them.

If you are explore based on a condition that started recently, gather records from the last two years. If your condition has been ongoing, Social Security will want records from the past year and any that show how your condition has changed over time. You do not need to collect the actual medical records yourself — Social Security will request them — but you do need to tell them where to look.

Completing the online process step by step

Go to ssa.gov and look for the "explore for Retirement, Family, and Survivors Benefits" or "explore for Disability Benefits" link. You will create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. This account is separate from your SSDI claim and lets you check the status of your process later.

The form asks for your personal information first: name, address, phone number, and email. Then it moves to your work history — the jobs you have held in the last 15 years, when you worked, and how much you earned. Social Security uses this to confirm you have worked long enough to be insured for disability benefits.

Next comes the medical section. You will describe your condition, when it started, and how it affects your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "back pain," write "herniated disc at L4-L5 causing numbness in left leg and inability to stand more than 20 minutes." Then list every doctor, hospital, and clinic that has treated you. Social Security will contact them directly.

At the end, you will review your answers and submit. You will get a confirmation number when ready. Save this number — you will use it to check your process status online or when you call Social Security.

What happens after you submit your process

Social Security will mail you a notice within two weeks confirming they received your process. This notice includes your process number and tells you what happens next. If they need more information, they will contact you by mail or phone — make sure the phone number and address you provided are current.

Social Security will request your medical records from the providers you listed. This usually takes two to four weeks. If a provider is slow to respond, Social Security may contact you and ask you to help speed it up. You can call your doctor's office and ask them to send the records to Social Security faster.

The decision typically comes within three to six months, though some cases take longer if your medical records are incomplete or if Social Security needs to send you to a doctor for an exam. You will receive the decision by mail. If you are approved, the notice will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month.

New Jersey-specific resources and local offices

New Jersey has Social Security field offices in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Atlantic City, and other cities. You can find the full list and hours at ssa.gov/locator by entering your zip code. Many offices now require you to make an appointment before you visit, so call ahead or book online.

If you need help understanding the process process or have questions about your specific situation, you can contact a Benefits Planning, information and Outreach (BPAO) program in New Jersey. These are free services run by nonprofit organizations that help people understand SSDI and work incentives. The New Jersey Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (NJPAPD) can connect you to a BPAO near you.

If you are working and worried about how SSDI will affect your job, New Jersey also has a Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project. WIPA counselors explain how work incentives like the Ticket to Work program let you earn money while keeping your benefits. These services are free and confidential.

What to do if your process is denied

If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to challenge the decision. You do not have to pay anything to appeal, and you can do it without a lawyer, though many people find a lawyer helpful.

The first step is reconsideration. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request it. In reconsideration, a different Social Security employee reviews your case and the medical evidence. This is the fastest appeal option and takes about three to six months.

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where you can present your case in person or by phone, answer questions, and have a lawyer or representative speak on your behalf. Hearings usually happen four to six months after you request one, though wait times vary.

Many people hire a lawyer for the hearing stage. Lawyers who handle SSDI cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win — usually 25 percent, up to a maximum set by Social Security. You do not pay anything upfront.

Understanding work incentives and how they affect your benefits

If you are approved for SSDI, you can work and still receive benefits under certain rules. The most important is the Trial Work Period, which lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. After the Trial Work Period ends, Social Security looks at your earnings to decide if you can still work despite your condition.

There is also a Ticket to Work program that gives you up to nine years to test whether you can work without losing benefits. During this time, you can earn more money than the usual limit and still keep your health insurance. This is useful if you want to try working but are not sure you can do it long-term.

These work incentives are complicated, and the rules change depending on how much you earn and when. Before you start working, contact a WIPA counselor in New Jersey to understand how your specific job and earnings will affect your benefits. This conversation is free and can save you from losing benefits by accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes. SSDI is based on your medical condition, not on whether you are currently working. However, if you are earning more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are able to work and deny your claim. The exact amount changes each year. If you are working but earning less than this, you can still explore.

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

Most decisions come within three to six months, but some take longer if Social Security needs more medical records or wants to send you to a doctor for an exam. You can check the status of your process anytime by logging into your my Social Security account or calling 1-800-772-1213.

Do I need a lawyer to explore for SSDI?

No. You can explore on your own without a lawyer. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal to a hearing, many people find a lawyer helpful because the process becomes more formal. Lawyers work on contingency, so you do not pay unless you win.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

You do not need to collect them yourself. When you explore, you list the doctors and hospitals that have treated you, and Social Security requests the records directly from them. If a provider is slow, Social Security will follow up. You can also call your doctor's office and ask them to send records to Social Security faster.

Can I work while waiting for a decision on my SSDI process?

Yes. Working while your process is pending does not hurt your claim. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month, Social Security may use that as evidence that you can work and deny your claim. If you are earning less than this amount, you can work without affecting your process.