Where to file your disability claim in Virginia

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through Social Security itself, not through Virginia. The state does not run these programs — they are federal. You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

Virginia has 67 Social Security field offices spread across the state. If you prefer to file in person, you can find the office nearest you on ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Walk-ins are accepted, though calling ahead to schedule an appointment usually means shorter wait times.

Filing online is often the fastest route. You can start an process on ssa.gov without leaving home, and you do not need to finish it in one sitting — you can save your progress and return later. If you file online, a Social Security representative will contact you by phone to complete the process.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for federal disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) through Social Security, not through Virginia, using ssa.gov, 1-800-772-1213, or your local field office.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment history.
  • The process asks about your work history, your medical condition, any medications or treatments, and how your condition affects your daily activities and ability to work.
  • Processing takes three to six months on average, though cases involving medical evidence of severe conditions may move faster.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to request reconsideration, and you can represent yourself or hire a disability lawyer at that stage.

What documents you need before you start

Gather these documents before you file. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident. A passport, naturalization papers, or a green card all work for residency proof.

You will also need your work history — the names and dates of your last jobs, your job titles, and how much you earned. Social Security uses this to determine whether you have worked long enough to be insured for SSDI. If you are explore for SSI instead (a needs-based program for people with low income), work history matters less, but you will still need to report it.

The most important documents are your medical records. Bring records from every doctor, hospital, or mental health provider who has treated your condition. Include test results, imaging reports, medication lists, and notes from your providers about how your condition limits you. If you have not seen a doctor recently, consider scheduling an appointment before you file — Social Security weighs current medical evidence heavily.

Information the process will ask for

The process collects basic information: your name, address, phone number, and date of birth. It asks whether you are filing for SSDI, SSI, or both. Most people file for both at the same time, since you may be insured for one but not the other.

You will describe your medical condition in detail — the diagnosis, when it started, what treatments you have had, and which doctors or hospitals have treated you. The form asks you to list every medication you take and any side effects you experience. Be specific: instead of "pain," write "sharp pain in lower back, worse when standing more than 30 minutes."

Social Security will ask how your condition affects your ability to work. Describe what you cannot do: "I cannot lift more than 10 pounds," "I cannot stand for more than two hours," "I cannot concentrate for more than 15 minutes at a time." The more concrete and specific you are, the clearer your case becomes. The form also asks about your daily activities — whether you can cook, clean, shop, or manage your own medications — because Social Security compares what you say you cannot do at work with what you actually do at home.

The timeline from filing to a decision

After you file, Social Security sends your case to a disability examiner in Virginia's Disability information Services (DDS) office. This is a state agency that works under contract with Social Security to review medical evidence and make the initial decision.

The examiner requests your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed. This step usually takes four to eight weeks. If your records are incomplete or your condition is complex, the examiner may order a consultative examination — a medical exam paid for by Social Security — to fill gaps in the evidence.

A decision typically comes three to six months after you file, though cases with strong medical evidence sometimes move faster. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining whether you were approved or denied. If you are approved, the letter tells you when your benefits begin and how much you will receive each month.

What happens if Social Security denies your claim

About 65 to 70 percent of initial applications are denied. A denial does not mean you cannot receive benefits — it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working.

You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration. This is a free second review by a different examiner who looks at your original evidence plus any new medical records you submit. Many people submit additional medical evidence at this stage — recent test results, updated provider notes, or records from a specialist they have seen since filing.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where many cases are approved. You can represent yourself at a hearing, but many people hire a disability lawyer. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped by Social Security at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you first filed).

Virginia-specific resources and support

Virginia's Disability information Services office is located in Richmond and handles all initial disability decisions for the state. You do not contact them directly — Social Security forwards your case to them automatically. However, if you have questions about the status of your case after filing, you can call Social Security's national number and ask them to check with DDS.

Virginia has several organizations that offer free help with disability claims. The Virginia Disability Law Center provides legal information and representation to people with disabilities. The Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program offers free help understanding your rights and navigating the appeals process. Both are free services funded by federal grants.

Your local Area Agency on Aging also has staff who can answer questions about disability benefits, even if you are not yet retirement age. You can find your local agency through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services website.

Choosing between SSDI and SSI, or filing for both

SSDI is based on your work history. You must have worked long enough and recently enough to be insured. If you are approved, your benefit amount is based on your earnings record, not on your current income or assets.

SSI is based on financial need. You must have limited income and assets (under $2,000 in most cases) to may have access to. Your benefit amount is the same for everyone approved — it does not depend on your work history. SSI also includes Medicaid in Virginia, while SSDI leads to Medicare after two years of benefits.

Most people file for both programs at the same time. Social Security will determine which one you are insured for based on your work history and financial situation. If you may have access to for both, you receive SSDI first, and SSI makes up the difference if your SSDI payment is below the SSI limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my disability claim is being decided?

Yes. Working does not disqualify you from benefits. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may assume you can work and deny your claim. The key is that you must show your condition prevents you from doing substantial work, not that you have not tried.

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

Social Security can approve claims based on other evidence — hospital records, mental health provider notes, or even statements from people who know you well. However, medical records from a treating doctor carry the most weight. If you have not seen a doctor, consider scheduling an appointment before or shortly after you file.

How much will I receive each month if I am approved?

SSDI payments vary based on your earnings record. The average is around $1,500 per month, but yours could be higher or lower. SSI payments are the same for everyone — $943 per month in 2024 for an individual, though this amount changes yearly. Social Security will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.

Can I file for disability if I am still working?

Yes, but your earnings matter. If you work and earn more than $1,550 per month, Social Security will likely deny your claim on the grounds that you can perform substantial work. If you earn less, you can file, but you must show that your condition prevents you from working more or earning more.

What if I disagree with the disability examiner's decision?

You have 60 days to request reconsideration at no cost. Submit any new medical evidence and ask for a second review. If that is denied, you can request a hearing before a judge, which is where many cases succeed. You can hire a lawyer to represent you at the hearing.