Where to Start: The Social Security Administration, Not the State

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), not by Wisconsin. You file with SSA, not with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, even though Wisconsin administers Medicaid and other state disability programs. The SSA has one office in Wisconsin that handles in-person appointments, but you can file online, by phone, or by mail from anywhere in the state.

The fastest route for most people is to file online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return to it. If you prefer to speak with someone first, you can call the SSA's national disability line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long; calling early in the week or early in the day usually means a shorter hold.

Key Takeaways

  • File with the Social Security Administration online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at the Madison SSA office; Wisconsin does not run the SSDI or SSI programs.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records from your doctors, and a list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years.
  • The SSA will ask you to name a medical source — usually your primary care doctor or specialist — who can send your medical evidence directly to SSA.
  • Processing takes three to five months on average; SSA will contact you by mail or phone if they need more information or if you are approved.
  • If SSA denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration or appeal.

What Documents You Need Before You File

Gather these items before you start the process. You do not have to submit them all at once — SSA will ask for them during the process — but having them ready speeds things up. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card). If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have a valid work authorization document.

Bring or have available a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including the job title, employer name, dates you worked there, and how much you were paid. You will also need the names and phone numbers of the doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants who have treated you for your condition. SSA will contact them directly to request medical records, so use the providers you see most often and who know your condition best.

If you have recent lab results, imaging reports, or hospital discharge summaries, you can upload them during the online process or bring them to an in-person appointment. SSA does not require you to collect and submit all your medical records yourself — they will request them from your providers — but having copies on hand can help if SSA asks you to clarify something during the review.

Filing Online: The Fastest Route for Most People

Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and select "explore for Disability Benefits." The form asks for your personal information, work history, medical condition, and the names of your medical providers. You can save your progress at any point and return to finish later; SSA will hold your incomplete process for 60 days. When you submit, you will receive a confirmation number — write it down or take a screenshot.

After you submit, SSA will send you a letter in the mail within 7 to 10 days confirming that your process was received and giving you a case number. This letter also lists what documents SSA needs from you. Read it carefully and follow the instructions; if SSA asks you to send something by a certain date and you miss it, your process may be delayed or denied.

SSA will contact your medical providers directly and ask them to send your medical records. This usually takes two to four weeks. If a provider is slow to respond, SSA may contact you and ask you to follow up with them or to provide the records yourself. You can speed this up by calling your doctor's office and asking them to send the records to SSA; give them your case number from the letter you received.

Filing by Phone or In Person

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. A representative will walk you through the process over the phone. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will need the same documents listed above — have them in front of you before you call. At the end of the call, SSA will mail you a confirmation letter with your case number.

Wisconsin has one Social Security office that handles disability applications in person: the Madison office at 2135 Rimrock Road, Madison, WI 53713. You can walk in during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or call 608-264-5000 to schedule an appointment. In-person appointments are useful if you have complex medical history, language barriers, or prefer to hand over documents directly, but they do not speed up the review process — SSA still takes the same amount of time to make a decision.

What Happens After You File: The Review Timeline

After SSA receives your process and your medical records, a disability examiner in Madison reviews your case. This usually takes three to five months, though cases with straightforward medical evidence (such as a recent cancer diagnosis or a documented spinal cord injury) can be decided faster. Cases with conditions that are harder to document — chronic pain, mental health conditions, or conditions that come and go — often take longer because SSA may ask for more records or order a medical exam.

During the review, SSA may contact you by phone or mail to ask follow-up questions about your work history, your symptoms, or your daily activities. Answer these questions honestly and in detail. If SSA asks you to attend a medical exam, you must go; if you miss the appointment without a good reason, SSA may deny your claim. The exam is free and is performed by a doctor or psychologist hired by SSA, not your own doctor.

SSA will notify you of the decision by mail. The letter will say whether you are approved, denied, or approved for a different program (such as SSI instead of SSDI). If you are approved, the letter will tell you 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.

Understanding SSDI vs. SSI in Wisconsin

When you file, SSA will review you for both SSDI and SSI. SSDI is based on your own work history and Social Security taxes you have paid. To may have access to, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough work credits. Most people need 40 credits (roughly 10 years of work) to may have access to, though younger workers may need fewer. If you may have access to for SSDI, the amount you receive each month is based on your average earnings.

SSI is based on financial need, not work history. To may have access to for SSI, your income and resources must be below certain limits. In 2024, the resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. SSI pays a federal benefit amount (which varies by year) plus a Wisconsin state supplement. If you do not have enough work credits for SSDI but your income and resources are low enough, SSA may approve you for SSI instead.

Some people may have access to for both programs. If you do, SSA will pay your SSDI benefit first, and then SSI will make up the difference if your SSDI amount is lower than the SSI payment level. In Wisconsin, this combined payment is usually higher than SSDI alone, so it is worth understanding which program you are on. Your approval letter will tell you.

What to Do If SSA Denies Your Claim

If SSA denies your claim, you have the right to challenge the decision. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who are denied the first time are also denied on reconsideration, so many move directly to requesting a hearing.

At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence, have a representative (such as a disability lawyer or advocate) speak on your behalf, and testify about your condition and how it affects your ability to work. Hearings are held by video or phone in Wisconsin; you do not have to travel to a courthouse. The hearing usually takes place four to six months after you request it. If the judge approves you at the hearing, your benefits start the month after the judge's decision.

You can represent yourself at a hearing, but many people hire a disability lawyer. Lawyers are paid only if you win — they receive 25 percent of your back pay (the money SSA owes you from the date you filed to the date you were approved), up to a maximum of $7,200. This means there is no upfront cost to you. The Wisconsin Disability Rights Council (608-266-0888) can refer you to lawyers and advocates in your area.

How SSDI and SSI Connect to Medicaid and Medicare in Wisconsin

If you are approved for SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare after you have been on SSDI for 24 months. Medicare is federal health insurance; it is not the same as Medicaid. You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (doctor and outpatient services). You will receive a Medicare card in the mail. There is usually a small monthly premium for Part B, which SSA deducts from your SSDI payment.

If you are approved for SSI, you are automatically enrolled in Wisconsin Medicaid. Medicaid is state health insurance and covers more services than Medicare, including dental, vision, and long-term care. You will receive a Medicaid card from the state. You do not pay a premium for Medicaid based on SSI.

If you are approved for both SSDI and SSI (called "concurrent" benefits), you will have both Medicare and Medicaid. This is called "Medi-Medi" coverage and is common in Wisconsin. Medicaid pays for services Medicare does not cover, so having both is usually better than having either one alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my disability claim is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not disqualify you from SSDI or SSI. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), SSA may view you as able to work and may deny your claim. If you are approved and then work, your benefits may stop or be reduced depending on how much you earn. The SSA has work incentive programs that let you keep some benefits while you work; ask about these when you file.

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

You still need to file, but you should see a doctor before or shortly after you file. SSA cannot approve you without medical evidence. If you do not have a regular doctor, contact your county health department or a community health center; many offer free or low-cost care. Tell them you are filing for disability and ask them to document your condition in your medical record.

How much will I receive each month 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 could be higher or lower. SSI payments are the same for everyone in Wisconsin: the federal amount plus the state supplement, which totals around $1,000 per month. SSA will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file on your own and many people do. A lawyer is most useful if your claim is denied and you need to appeal, or if your medical history is complex. If you decide to hire a lawyer, wait until after you are denied; there is no reason to pay for representation during the initial process.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You can file for SSDI or SSI if you have a valid work authorization document and a Social Security number. Some non-citizens are not may be able to access for SSI, but most are may be able to access for SSDI if they have enough work credits. Bring your immigration documents when you file. If you have questions about your immigration status and benefits, contact the Wisconsin Immigrant Rights Project at 608-257-6557.