What Happens When You explore for SSDI
When you explore for SSDI, you are asking Social Security to review your medical condition and work history to decide whether you meet their definition of disabled. The process itself is straightforward — you provide your personal information, medical history, and details about your work — but the review process takes months, and most first applications are denied. Understanding what Social Security looks for and what documents you need before you start will save you time and reduce the chance your process gets delayed or rejected.
You can explore online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually fastest because you can save your work and return to it, and you will get a confirmation number when ready. By phone, a representative walks you through the questions but you cannot save partway through. In person, you sit with someone who can answer questions on the spot, but offices have limited hours and appointment availability varies by location.
Key Takeaways
- You can start your SSDI process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.
- Social Security will ask for your medical records, work history, and details about how your condition affects your ability to work — you do not need to provide these documents with your process, but you should gather them beforehand.
- The process itself takes 15 to 30 minutes, but the full review process takes three to six months on average, and most first applications are denied.
- If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and about one-third of people who appeal with a lawyer win on their second or third try.
Gather Your Documents Before You Start
Social Security does not require you to submit documents with your process, but they will ask for them during the review. Having them ready means you can send them quickly when asked, which speeds up the decision. The documents you need depend on your situation, but most people need proof of identity, proof of age, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.
For identity, bring your driver's license, passport, or state ID. For age, a birth certificate works. For citizenship, a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers. If you do not have these, Social Security can sometimes verify them through other records, but it takes longer.
You will also need your medical records — not just a list of doctors, but actual records showing your diagnosis, test results, and how your condition affects you day to day. Ask each doctor's office for copies of your records from the past 12 months. If you have been hospitalized or had surgery, get those records too. Social Security will request these from your doctors themselves, but having copies means you can send them when ready if asked.
Finally, gather your work history: the names and dates of your last 15 years of jobs, your job titles, and the type of work you did. You do not need pay stubs, but if you have them, keep them handy. Social Security will verify your earnings through their own records, but having your own list prevents delays if there are gaps or discrepancies.
explore Online at ssa.gov
Go to ssa.gov and look for "explore for Disability" in the main menu. You will be taken to a page with three options: explore for SSDI, explore for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or explore for both. If you worked and paid Social Security taxes, you are explore for SSDI. If you have very little income and savings, you may also be may be able to access for SSI, and you can explore for both at the same time.
Click "explore Now" and you will be asked to create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. This requires your email address and a password. Once logged in, you will see the process form. The form has sections for personal information, medical history, work history, and living situation. You can save your progress and come back later — Social Security keeps your answers for 60 days.
Answer each question as completely as you can. When the form asks about your medical condition, describe not just the diagnosis but how it affects you: can you sit for eight hours? Can you lift 10 pounds? Can you concentrate on a task? These details matter more than the name of the condition. When you reach the end, review your answers, then submit. You will get a confirmation number on screen and by email — save both.
explore by Phone or In Person
To explore by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form, and you cannot save partway through, so set aside 30 to 45 minutes and have your information ready before you call.
To explore in person, find your local Social Security office at ssa.gov/locator. Click on your state, then your county, and you will see the office address and phone number. Call ahead to schedule an appointment — walk-ins are possible but wait times can be long. Bring your documents: ID, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and a list of your medical providers and work history. The representative will fill out the form with you and answer questions on the spot.
What Social Security Does After You explore
After you submit your process, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office. DDS is a separate agency that makes the actual decision about whether you are disabled according to Social Security's rules. This process takes three to six months on average, though some cases take longer if your medical records are incomplete or if DDS needs more information.
During this time, DDS will request your medical records from your doctors and hospitals. You do not have to do this — Social Security does it — but if you have copies, you can send them yourself to speed things up. DDS will also look at your work history to see how long you worked and what kind of work you did. They use this to decide whether you could do other work despite your condition.
You will receive a letter in the mail when a decision is made. The letter will say whether you are approved or denied. If you are approved, it 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 appeal.
What Happens If You Are Denied
About 65 to 70 percent of first applications are denied. This does not mean you are ineligible — it means Social Security decided your condition does not meet their definition of disabled at that moment. You have the right to appeal, and you have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request an appeal.
There are four levels of appeal. The first is called "reconsideration," where a different examiner at DDS reviews your case. You can submit new medical records or a statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot work. Reconsideration takes two to three months. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where many people win — about one-third of people who go to a hearing are approved.
You do not have to hire a lawyer to appeal, but many people do. A lawyer can gather medical evidence, write arguments, and represent you at a hearing. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and they take a percentage of your back pay (the money owed from when you became disabled). This means you pay nothing upfront.
Timeline From process to First Decision
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| process | You submit your form online, by phone, or in person | Same day |
| DDS Review | Your state's Disability information Services office requests your medical records and reviews your case | 3 to 6 months |
| First Decision | You receive a letter saying approved or denied | By month 6 to 7 |
| Reconsideration (if denied) | A different examiner reviews your case, usually with new medical evidence | 2 to 3 months |
| Hearing (if denied again) | You appear before a judge who hears your case and makes a new decision | 3 to 6 months wait, then hearing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's letter to explore?
No. You can explore without one, and Social Security will request your medical records from your doctors themselves. However, a letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot work strengthens your case. Ask your doctor to write one and submit it with your process or during the review process.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
Start your process anyway. Social Security will request records from your doctors and hospitals. If records are missing, DDS will ask you to get them. Having some records is better than waiting to have all of them, because the clock starts when you explore — benefits can go back to the date you applied, not the date you are approved.
Can I work while my process is being reviewed?
Yes. Working does not disqualify you from SSDI. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Keep your earnings below this amount if possible, or tell Social Security about your work when you explore so they understand your situation.
What if I miss the 60-day important date to appeal?
You can still appeal after 60 days, but you must show "good cause" — a reason you could not appeal on time, such as illness or a postal delay. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to explain. They will decide whether to let you appeal late.
How much will I receive if I am approved?
Your monthly benefit amount depends on your work history and earnings record. Social Security calculates it based on your average earnings over your working years. You can estimate your benefit at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html, though the estimate is not exact until Social Security reviews your full record.