What happens when you file for SSDI
When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance, you are asking the Social Security Administration to review your medical records and work history to decide whether your condition prevents you from working. The process takes several months — usually between three and six months for an initial decision, though some cases take longer. You will need to submit medical evidence, work history, and personal information. Social Security will then send you a written decision in the mail.
Filing does not cost you anything. You do not need a lawyer to file, though some people hire one to help with the paperwork or to represent them if Social Security denies their claim the first time.
Key Takeaways
- You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
- You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, and a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years.
- Social Security will contact your doctors directly to request your medical records, so you do not have to collect them yourself.
- The first decision usually arrives within three to six months, but you can ask for a reconsideration or hearing if Social Security says no.
- You can work part-time while your case is being reviewed without affecting your claim, as long as you earn under a certain amount each month.
Where to file: online, phone, or in person
The easiest way to file is online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You can start the form, save it, and come back to finish it later. The online form takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your information ready. You will need to create a my Social Security account first if you do not already have one.
If you prefer to file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213. A Social Security representative will ask you questions and fill out the form for you. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You can also walk into your local Social Security office and file in person — find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator.
All three methods lead to the same result. Choose whichever is easiest for you. If you have trouble with the online form or do not have internet access, the phone line is usually faster than waiting for an office appointment.
What documents and information you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin filing. You do not need originals — copies are fine.
| What you need | Why Social Security asks for it |
|---|---|
| Your Social Security number | To look up your work record and earnings history |
| Your birth certificate | To verify your age and identity |
| Names and dates of birth for your spouse and children (if any) | To determine if they may receive benefits based on your record |
| A list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years, with approximate start and end dates | To calculate your work credits and earnings record |
| Names and phone numbers of your doctors and hospitals | To request your medical records directly |
| Dates you last worked (if you are no longer working) | To determine when your disability began |
You do not need to collect your medical records yourself. When you file, Social Security will contact your doctors and ask them to send your records directly. However, if you have recent test results, imaging, or specialist reports that your doctors' offices might not have on file, you can include those with your process to speed things up.
How Social Security reviews your case
After you file, a Social Security examiner will look at your medical records, your work history, and your age. They are checking whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from doing any work, not just your old job. Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically may have access to — if your condition is on that list and your medical evidence matches it, the decision is usually faster.
If your condition is not on the automatic list, Social Security will decide whether you can do any other kind of work. They consider your age, education, work skills, and how your condition affects your ability to sit, stand, lift, remember instructions, or interact with others. This part of the review is more subjective and takes longer.
Social Security may also ask you to go to a doctor they choose and pay for. This is called a consultative examination. They do this when they need more recent medical information or a specific type of evaluation. You do not pay for this exam — Social Security does.
What to expect after you file
Within a few weeks, you will receive a letter from Social Security confirming that they received your process. This letter will have a case number — keep it for your records. You can use this number to check the status of your case online at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Social Security will contact your doctors to request your medical records. This usually takes four to eight weeks. If your doctors are slow to respond, your case will take longer. You can help by calling your doctors' offices and letting them know Social Security has asked for your records.
Once Social Security has your medical records and reviewed everything, they will mail you a decision letter. The letter will say whether they approved your claim, denied it, or need more information. If they approve you, the letter will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month.
If Social Security says no: reconsideration and appeals
If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to ask them to look at it again. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request a reconsideration. This means a different examiner will review your case and your medical records.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a real hearing where you can present evidence and testify. Many people win at the hearing stage. You have 60 days from the reconsideration denial letter to request a hearing.
You do not have to represent yourself at a hearing. Many people hire a lawyer or a non-lawyer representative called a disability advocate to help them. These representatives are paid only if you win — they take a percentage of your back pay, up to a maximum amount set by Social Security.
Working while your case is being reviewed
You can work part-time while Social Security is reviewing your claim. If you earn less than $1,550 per month (this amount changes each year), Social Security will not count it against you. This is called substantial gainful activity, or SGA. If you earn more than this amount in a month, Social Security may assume you are able to work and deny your claim.
If you are already receiving SSDI benefits and you work, different rules explore. You can earn up to a higher amount without losing benefits during a trial work period. But if you are still waiting for a decision, keep your earnings under the SGA limit to protect your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?
No. You can file on your own and many people do. A lawyer or advocate can help you organize your medical records, prepare for a hearing, or appeal a denial, but they are not required to file. If you hire someone, they can only charge you if you win, and Social Security caps what they can take.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Most initial decisions come within three to six months. Some cases take longer if your medical records are hard to get or if Social Security needs more information. If you are denied and request a hearing, that can take one to two years depending on how busy the hearing office is.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
You do not need to collect them yourself. When you file, give Social Security the names and phone numbers of your doctors and hospitals. Social Security will request your records directly from them. If you have recent records at home, you can include them to speed things up, but it is not required.
Can I file for SSDI if I am still working?
Yes. You can work part-time and still file. If you earn under $1,550 per month, it will not affect your claim. If you earn more than that, Social Security may deny your claim based on the assumption that you are able to work.
What happens if Social Security approves my claim?
Social Security will send you a letter with your approval decision, the date your benefits start, and your monthly payment amount. Benefits usually start the month after you become disabled, though the exact timing depends on your situation. You will receive your first payment by direct deposit or check.