How to begin your SSDI claim

To start a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim, you contact Social Security directly—either by phone, in person at your local office, or online through their website. You will need to provide basic information about yourself, your work history, and your medical condition. Social Security will assign you a case number and send you a list of documents they need to review your claim.

The process begins with an intake interview, not a medical decision. Social Security's job at this stage is to confirm you worked long enough under Social Security, that you stopped working due to disability, and that you have medical records showing your condition. They do not make the disability information themselves—that comes later, from a state agency called Disability information Services (DDS).

Starting the process does not lock you into anything. You can withdraw your claim at any point before a decision is made. If you are denied and disagree, you have the right to appeal. The sooner you start, the sooner your claim enters the queue, and the sooner a decision arrives—which matters because SSDI payments do not begin until the month you file, even if approval takes a year.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Social Security yourself by phone (1-800-772-1213), online at ssa.gov, or at your local office; no one can file on your behalf except a court-appointed representative.
  • Social Security will ask about your work history, when you stopped working, and your medical condition, then send you a list of medical records and documents they need.
  • Your claim goes to your state's Disability information Services (DDS), not to Social Security, for the actual disability decision.
  • The entire process from filing to a decision typically takes three to six months for an initial claim, though some cases take longer.
  • If you are denied, you can appeal at no cost; most people who appeal with new medical evidence or a lawyer's help succeed on reconsideration or at a hearing.

Three ways to file your initial claim

By phone: Call Social Security's national number, 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week. Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and a list of your doctors and hospitals ready. The interviewer will ask about your work history, your condition, and when you stopped working. The call usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Online: Go to ssa.gov and select "explore for Disability." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. The online form walks you through the same questions as the phone interview. You can save your progress and return later. When you submit, Social Security sends you a confirmation number and mails you a summary of what you reported. Online filing is often faster than calling, with no wait time.

In person: Visit your local Social Security office. Find the address at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and a photo ID. You can walk in, but many offices now require an appointment. In-person interviews let you ask questions and clarify details on the spot, but office wait times can be long.

Documents Social Security will ask for

After your intake interview, Social Security sends you a list of documents they need. This list is tailored to your case—they will not ask for everything below, only what matters to your claim. You have a important date to return documents, usually 10 days, though you can ask for more time.

Common documents include: your birth certificate, Social Security card, driver's license or state ID, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce decree (if applicable), W-2 forms or tax returns from the past year, and a list of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you. You will also need to sign a form authorizing Social Security to request your medical records directly from your providers.

Do not wait for Social Security to request records. Start gathering them now: get copies of recent doctor visits, lab results, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), hospital discharge summaries, mental health treatment notes, and prescription records. Medical records are the core of your case. The more detailed and recent they are, the stronger your claim. If you have not seen a doctor in months, schedule an appointment before you file—gaps in treatment make claims harder to approve.

What happens after you file

Once you submit your claim, Social Security sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS). DDS is a separate state agency that makes the actual disability decision. Social Security handles the paperwork and may be able to access; DDS reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets their definition of disability.

DDS may request additional medical records from your doctors. They may also schedule you for a consultative examination (CE)—a medical exam paid for by Social Security, usually with a doctor you have never seen before. The CE is not a second opinion; it is a way for DDS to get current medical information. You are not required to attend, but refusing usually results in a denial.

You will receive a decision letter in the mail. If approved, the letter states your monthly benefit amount and when payments begin. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to appeal. Most initial claims are denied; this does not mean your case is weak—it means you will likely need to appeal and provide more evidence or attend a hearing.

Your work history and Social Security credits

To receive SSDI, you must have worked long enough under Social Security and earned enough credits. A credit is based on your annual earnings; in 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 you earn, up to four credits per year. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled.

Social Security already has your work history on file from your tax returns and W-2 forms. During your intake interview, they will review it with you and confirm you meet the work requirement. If you worked under a different name or Social Security number in the past, tell them now. If you are self-employed, bring your tax returns for the past two years.

If you do not have enough credits, you cannot receive SSDI. However, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a needs-based program with different rules. Social Security will tell you during your interview whether you may have access to for SSI.

Medical evidence: what strengthens your claim

Your medical records are everything in an SSDI claim. DDS will not take your word that you are disabled—they need objective evidence from doctors. Strong evidence includes: recent test results (blood work, imaging), detailed notes from your treating doctors describing your symptoms and limitations, a diagnosis from a specialist in your condition, and documentation of how your condition affects your ability to work.

Weak evidence includes: old records (more than a year old), vague complaints without test results, records from urgent care or emergency rooms without follow-up, and no ongoing treatment. If your records are thin, your claim will likely be denied. Before you file, see your doctor and make sure your medical record is current and detailed.

If you cannot afford to see a doctor, look for free or low-cost clinics in your area. Many communities have federally may have access to health centers (FQHCs) that charge based on income. You can find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Getting treatment now, before you file, is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your claim.

Timeline from filing to decision

Most initial SSDI claims take three to six months from filing to a decision. Some take longer if DDS needs additional medical records or schedules a consultative exam. A few take less time if your case is straightforward and your medical records are complete.

You can check the status of your claim online at ssa.gov using your my Social Security account, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will not call you; if someone calls claiming to be from Social Security asking for money or personal information, it is a scam.

If you are denied and decide to appeal, the timeline resets. An appeal to reconsideration takes another three to six months. If you request a hearing before an administrative law judge, the wait is usually six months to a year, depending on your state and the judge's caseload.

What to do if you are denied

A denial does not mean your case is over. You have the right to appeal at no cost. The appeal process has four levels: reconsideration (a new review by DDS), hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who appeal with stronger medical evidence or representation succeed.

You have 60 days from the date of your denial letter to file an appeal. Do not miss this important date—if you do, you must file a new claim and start over. To appeal, complete form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) and mail it to the address on your denial letter, or submit it online at ssa.gov.

Consider hiring a disability lawyer or representative. They work on contingency, meaning they take a fee only if you win—usually 25 percent of your back pay, capped at $7,200. Many representatives charge less. A lawyer's help significantly improves your chances at a hearing. You can find a representative through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or ask your local legal aid office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else file for me, or do I have to do it myself?

You must file yourself, unless you have a court-appointed guardian or conservator. A family member, friend, or advocate can help you gather documents and prepare, but Social Security requires you to provide your own information during the intake interview. If you are unable to communicate, a legal guardian can file on your behalf.

What if I am still working part-time while I file?

You can file while working, but your earnings matter. SSDI has a "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) limit—in 2024, earning more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind) suggests you are not disabled. If you earn below that, you can still file. If you are approved, you can continue working and earn up to the SGA limit without losing benefits during your trial work period.

Do I need a lawyer to file my initial claim?

No. You can file on your own and many people do. A lawyer is most helpful if you are denied and appeal, or if your case is complex (multiple conditions, old medical records, work history gaps). For your initial claim, focus on gathering strong medical evidence instead.

What happens to my health insurance while my claim is pending?

If you lose employer health insurance when you stop working, you may be able to continue it through COBRA for 18 months, though you pay the full premium. You can also look for coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace at healthcare.gov. Once you are approved for SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits.

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

Yes. If you do not have enough work credits for SSDI, Social Security will automatically consider you for SSI during the same interview. SSI is needs-based and has income and asset limits, but it does not require work history. You can receive both if you meet the rules for each.