Where to Start Your SSDI process in Pennsylvania
You can start an SSDI process in Pennsylvania through three routes: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online route is fastest — you can complete it from home, save your progress, and return to it later. The phone line has wait times but a representative will walk you through each question. In-person appointments at a Pennsylvania Social Security office let you ask questions face-to-face, though you will need to schedule ahead.
Pennsylvania has 67 Social Security field offices spread across the state. You can find the one nearest you by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator. If you live in a rural area far from an office, phone or online is usually your faster option. Whichever route you choose, have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and medical records ready before you start — the process will ask for dates, doctor names, and hospital visits.
Key Takeaways
- You can start your SSDI process online, by phone, or at a Pennsylvania Social Security office, and the online route lets you save and return to your work.
- Gather your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records with dates, and work history before you begin, because the process asks for specific details.
- The process itself takes 20 to 40 minutes, but Social Security will take three to five months to make a decision after you submit it.
- Pennsylvania does not have a separate state SSDI program — you explore through the federal Social Security Administration, which is the same process nationwide.
- If Social Security denies your process, you have 60 days to file an appeal, and most people who appeal with a lawyer or representative win on the second or third try.
Documents You Need Before You explore
Social Security will ask you to provide or confirm information about your medical condition, your work history, and your identity. Have these documents or information ready: your Social Security number, birth certificate, current driver's license or state ID, and the names and dates of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you for your condition. If you have had surgery, imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), or lab work, note the dates and which facility did the work.
You will also need to list every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, the dates you worked there, and what you were paid. If you are self-employed or own a business, gather your tax returns for the past two years. If you receive workers' compensation or unemployment benefits, have those award letters ready. Social Security uses this information to confirm you have worked long enough to be insured for disability benefits.
If you do not have all of this information when you start, you can still begin the process — Social Security will contact you to ask for missing details. But having it ready means your process moves faster and you are less likely to have it delayed while they chase down records.
The Online process Process Step by Step
Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and click "explore for Disability Benefits." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one — this requires your email address and a password. Once you are logged in, the process opens in sections. You do not have to finish it all at once; you can save your work and come back within 60 days.
The process asks for your personal information first: name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. Then it moves to your medical history. You will list the condition or conditions that prevent you from working, when each one started, and which doctors have treated you. Social Security will contact those doctors directly to request your medical records, so accuracy here matters — misspelled names or wrong dates slow down the process.
Next comes your work history. You will enter each job from the past 15 years: employer name, dates worked, job title, and what you earned. If you stopped working because of your condition, note the date you last worked. The process also asks whether you have applied for or received workers' compensation, unemployment, or other disability benefits. Answer honestly — Social Security cross-checks these records.
At the end, you will review your answers, sign the process electronically, and submit it. You will receive a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you call Social Security to check on your case.
explore by Phone or In Person in Pennsylvania
If you call 1-800-772-1213, a Social Security representative will conduct the interview over the phone. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Have your documents in front of you — the representative will ask the same questions as the online form, but you answer them aloud. At the end of the call, the representative will mail you a summary of what you reported. Review it carefully and call back if anything is wrong.
For an in-person appointment at a Pennsylvania Social Security office, call the same number or visit ssa.gov/locator to find your nearest office and schedule online. Bring your original birth certificate, driver's license, and Social Security card, plus copies of your medical records and work history. The appointment usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. The representative will fill out the process with you and answer questions as you go.
In-person appointments can be helpful if you have questions about what to include or if you are unsure about dates, because the representative can clarify on the spot. However, wait times at Pennsylvania offices vary — some offices have appointments available within a week, others may have a two- to three-week wait. Phone is usually faster if you need to start soon.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
After you submit, Social Security sends you a notice with your process number and the date they received it. This is your proof of filing. Keep it. Social Security then contacts the doctors and hospitals you listed and requests your medical records. This step takes two to four weeks. If records are missing or incomplete, Social Security will contact you and ask you to provide them or sign a release so they can request them again.
Once Social Security has your medical records, a disability examiner in Pennsylvania reviews your case. The examiner checks whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability — meaning it prevents you from doing any substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This review takes another four to eight weeks. You will not hear from Social Security during this time unless they need more information.
Social Security will mail you a decision letter. 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 first applications are denied, even when the applicant eventually wins. This does not mean your case is weak — it means the initial review is strict, and appeals are where most approvals happen.
Timeline From process to Decision
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| process submission | You complete and submit the form online, by phone, or in person | Same day or within one week |
| Records request | Social Security contacts your doctors and hospitals for medical records | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Records review | Disability examiner reviews your medical records and work history | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Decision letter | Social Security mails you approval or denial notice | 3 to 5 months total from submission |
These timelines are typical but not may provide. Cases with missing records, unclear medical history, or incomplete work information take longer. If you do not hear from Social Security within six months, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update using your process number.
What to Do If Your process Is Denied
If Social Security denies your process, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. Do not wait — if you miss the 60-day window, you have to start a new process. The appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration, and it goes to a different examiner who reviews your case from the start.
For a Reconsideration, you can submit new medical evidence that was not in your original process — recent test results, a new doctor's opinion, or records from a hospital visit that happened after you applied. New evidence often makes the difference. You can also write a statement explaining how your condition affects your ability to work. Mail your appeal and any new documents to the address on your denial letter, or bring them to your local Pennsylvania Social Security office.
If the Reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most people win. At a hearing, you can testify about your condition, present medical evidence, and have a lawyer or representative argue your case. Hearings usually happen four to six months after you request one. Many people hire a disability lawyer at this stage — lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, and you pay nothing if you lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my SSDI process is being reviewed?
Yes. Working does not hurt your process. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are capable of substantial work and deny your claim. Keep your earnings below this amount if possible, or tell Social Security about any work you do when they contact you.
Do I need a lawyer to explore for SSDI in Pennsylvania?
No. You can explore on your own. However, if your process is denied and you appeal, a lawyer or representative increases your chances of winning. Lawyers charge a fee only if you win, usually 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum set by Social Security.
How long does it take to get my first SSDI payment after approval?
Social Security approves your case and sets a payment start date in the approval letter. Payments usually begin the month after you are approved, but the first payment may take an additional two to four weeks to arrive by direct deposit or check, depending on your bank.
What if I moved to Pennsylvania from another state — does that change my process?
No. SSDI is a federal program, so your process is the same whether you live in Pennsylvania or any other state. You explore through Social Security, not through Pennsylvania. Your case is reviewed by a disability examiner in Pennsylvania, but the rules and process are identical nationwide.
Can I explore for SSDI and SSI at the same time in Pennsylvania?
Yes. SSDI is based on your work history; SSI is based on income and assets. You may be may be able to access for both. When you explore, tell Social Security you want to be considered for both programs, and they will review you for each one.