What happens when you file for SSDI
When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are asking the Social Security Administration to review your medical records and work history to determine whether you have a severe condition that prevents you from working. The SSA will not make a decision the day you file. The process typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer.
You can file in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually fastest because you can complete the form at your own pace and submit it when ready. By phone, a representative will ask you questions and file the form for you. In person, you bring documents and a representative helps you complete the process on the spot.
After you file, the SSA sends your case to your state's Disability information Services office. That office requests your medical records from your doctors and hospitals, reviews them against the SSA's list of conditions that automatically may have access to, and makes a recommendation. The SSA then sends you a written decision in the mail.
Key Takeaways
- You can file online, by phone, or in person, and online filing is usually the fastest option.
- The SSA will ask about your medical condition, your work history, and any jobs you have done in the past 15 years.
- After you file, a state office reviews your medical records and makes a decision, which takes three to six months on average.
- You will receive a written notice in the mail telling you whether you were approved or denied.
- If you are denied, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of receiving the denial letter.
What documents and information you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin the filing process. You will need your Social Security number, your birth certificate or other proof of birth date, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport, naturalization certificate, or green card). Have your driver's license or state ID ready as well.
The SSA will also ask about your medical treatment. Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have seen in the past year. Include the dates you saw each one and what you were treated for. If you have seen a mental health provider, include that too. The SSA uses this list to request your records directly from those providers.
You will also need information about your work history. List every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the job title, the name of the employer, the dates you worked there, and how much you earned. If you are self-employed or own a business, have your tax returns from the past two years available. The SSA uses this information to confirm you have worked long enough to be insured under Social Security.
Filing online at ssa.gov
Go to ssa.gov and look for the "explore for Disability" link on the homepage. Click it and you will be taken to a form titled "process for Disability Insurance Benefits." You do not need to create an account to start, but you can create one if you want to save your progress and come back later.
The form asks about your personal information, your medical condition, your doctors and hospitals, and your work history. Answer each question as completely as you can. If a question does not explore to you, you can skip it. The form typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete if you have your information ready.
When you finish, review your answers to make sure they are correct, then submit the form. The SSA will send you a confirmation number by email or mail. Write down this number because you will need it if you call Social Security to check on your case later. You will also receive a notice in the mail asking you to sign and return a form called the "Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration." Sign it and mail it back within 10 days so the SSA can request your medical records.
Filing by phone or in person
To file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. A representative will ask you the same questions that appear on the online form. Have your documents nearby so you can answer accurately. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. At the end, the representative will give you a confirmation number and tell you what happens next.
To file in person, find your local Social Security office by going to ssa.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213. Walk in during business hours or call ahead to schedule an appointment. Bring your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of your doctors and employers. A representative will help you complete the process and answer your questions. You will receive a confirmation number before you leave.
What the SSA asks about your medical condition
The SSA will ask you to describe your condition in your own words. Be specific about what you cannot do, not just the name of your diagnosis. For example, instead of saying "I have back pain," explain that you cannot sit for more than 30 minutes, cannot lift more than 10 pounds, and have difficulty walking up stairs. The SSA uses these details to understand how your condition affects your ability to work.
You will also be asked when your condition started, what treatment you have received, what medications you take, and whether your condition is getting better, worse, or staying the same. List all surgeries, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits related to your condition. If you have had imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, mention those too. The SSA will request the actual images and reports from your doctors.
The SSA may also ask whether you have ever been treated in a mental health facility, whether you have ever attempted suicide, and whether you use alcohol or drugs. Answer these questions honestly. The SSA is not judging you; it is trying to understand the full picture of your health.
What happens after you submit your form
Within one to two weeks, you will receive a notice in the mail confirming that your case has been received. This notice will include a case number and instructions for what to do next. The most important instruction is to sign and return the "Authorization to Disclose Information" form so the SSA can request your medical records from your doctors.
The state Disability information Services office will then contact your doctors and hospitals to request your medical records. This can take several weeks because doctors' offices are often slow to respond. If you know your doctors are slow, you can speed things up by calling them yourself and asking them to send your records to the SSA right away. Give them your case number so they know which file to send the records to.
Once the state office has your records, it reviews them to see whether your condition matches one of the SSA's listed conditions that automatically may have access to for benefits. If it does not match exactly, the office evaluates whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from doing any kind of work. This review typically takes two to four months. You will then receive a written decision in the mail.
Understanding approval and denial
If you are approved, the notice will tell you the date your benefits begin. SSDI benefits usually start the month after you have been disabled for 12 months, or the month after you meet the work requirements, whichever is later. Your first payment will arrive by direct deposit or check within one to two months after approval.
If you are denied, the notice will explain the reason. Common reasons for denial include: your condition is not severe enough, your condition is expected to improve within 12 months, you do not have enough work credits, or your medical evidence does not support your statements about what you cannot do. The denial letter will also tell you that you have the right to appeal.
You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. The first level of appeal is called "reconsideration," which means a different examiner will review your case. You can submit new medical evidence with your reconsideration request. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which is a more formal process where you can present evidence and answer questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?
No, you can file on your own without a lawyer. However, many people hire a lawyer or non-lawyer representative to help them, especially if they have already been denied once. Representatives are paid only if you win your case, and the fee is capped by the SSA at 25 percent of your back pay or $6,000, whichever is less.
What if I am still working when I file?
You can file even if you are working, but your earnings may affect your case. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), the SSA may decide you are not disabled. The exact amount changes each year. Tell the SSA about your current job and earnings when you file.
How long does it take to hear back after I file?
Most cases take three to six months from the date you file to the date you receive a decision. Some cases take longer if your medical records are hard to obtain or if your condition is complex. You can call the SSA to check on your case using your confirmation number, but calling will not speed up the decision.
Can I file for SSDI if I have never worked?
No, SSDI requires that you have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You must have earned enough work credits based on your age and how long you have worked. If you have never worked, you may be able to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a different program with different rules.
What if my condition gets worse while I am waiting for a decision?
You can submit new medical evidence to the SSA at any time before a decision is made. Call your local Social Security office and ask how to send the new information. Include a letter explaining what has changed and why the new evidence is important to your case.