Your claim enters a formal review process after you submit it

Once you send your process to Social Security, your case moves into a structured review. Social Security does not make an when ready decision. Instead, a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state receives your file, assigns it a case number, and begins gathering medical evidence. This process typically takes three to five months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs additional records from your doctors or if your case is complex.

You will receive a notice with your case number and the name of your local DDS office. Keep this number. You can use it to check the status of your claim by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or by logging into your account at ssa.gov. Social Security does not contact you unless they need something from you or have made a decision.

Understanding what happens during this waiting period—what Social Security is actually doing, what they need from you, and what you should do while you wait—can prevent delays and help you prepare for the outcome.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's Disability information Services office, not Social Security headquarters, makes the initial decision on your claim.
  • Social Security will request medical records directly from your doctors, but you can speed this up by providing records yourself.
  • If Social Security asks for more information, respond within the important date they give you—missing it can result in denial.
  • You can check your claim status online through your Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213 with your case number.
  • Roughly 65 to 70 percent of initial claims are denied; if yours is, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of the denial notice.

What the Disability information Services office does with your file

The DDS office in your state is a government agency that contracts with Social Security to make disability decisions. It is not part of your local Social Security office. The DDS employs disability examiners and medical consultants (usually physicians or psychologists) who review your medical evidence against Social Security's rules for disability.

The examiner assigned to your case will read your process, your work history, and any medical records you included. They will then contact your doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers to request complete medical files. This is the most time-consuming part of the review. If your doctor's office is slow to respond, or if you have seen many providers, this step alone can add weeks to your timeline.

Once the DDS has your medical records, a medical consultant reviews them to determine whether your condition meets or equals one of Social Security's Listing of Impairments—a detailed catalog of conditions that automatically may have access to for disability. If your condition does not match a listing exactly, the medical consultant prepares a report on your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), which describes what work you can still do despite your condition. The examiner then uses this RFC to decide whether you can perform any job that exists in the national economy.

How to respond if Social Security requests additional information

During the review, Social Security may send you a letter asking for specific information or records. Common requests include updated medical records, a list of your current medications, clarification about your work history, or details about how your condition affects your daily activities. These letters always include a important date—usually 10 days from the date on the letter.

Missing this important date is one of the most common reasons claims are denied. If you cannot meet the important date, call the DDS office listed on the letter and ask for an extension. Social Security can grant extensions, but you must request one before the important date passes. Do not assume they will contact you again if you miss it.

The fastest way to respond is to gather the records yourself and mail or deliver them to the DDS office, rather than waiting for Social Security to request them from your providers. If you have recent medical visits, test results, or therapy notes, send copies to your DDS office with a cover letter that includes your case number. This can shorten your review by several weeks.

Understanding the timeline and what causes delays

Social Security publishes average processing times by state, but these are averages—your case may move faster or slower depending on several factors. Cases involving mental health conditions, multiple impairments, or vocational issues (questions about whether you can work) often take longer because they require more detailed medical review and sometimes a vocational informed's opinion.

The most common causes of delay are incomplete medical records, slow responses from doctors' offices, and missing information from you. If your doctor has not sent records after two weeks, call the doctor's office and ask them to fax or mail them to your DDS office. Provide the office with your case number and the DDS address so they know where to send the records.

If you have not heard from Social Security in four months, or if you believe your case is taking longer than it should, call your DDS office directly. Ask for the status of your case and whether they are waiting for anything from you or your providers. Having your case number ready will speed up the call.

What you should do while your claim is under review

Continue to see your doctors and keep records of all medical visits, tests, and treatments. Do not stop treatment to try to "prove" your disability—Social Security looks at your medical history and current condition together. If you stop treatment, Social Security may assume your condition has improved, which can result in denial.

Keep a record of how your condition affects your ability to work. Write down specific examples: difficulty concentrating during tasks, pain that worsens with sitting, memory problems that affect following instructions, or anxiety that makes it hard to be around others. If Social Security denies your claim and you appeal, this record becomes evidence in your appeal.

Do not start working or increase your work hours during the review period. If you earn more than Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits—which are $1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind individuals, though this amount changes yearly—Social Security will assume you are not disabled and deny your claim. Even if you are struggling financially, working during the review can eliminate your chance of approval.

Do not close or ignore letters from Social Security. Open all mail from your DDS office or Social Security when ready. If you move, update your address with Social Security online or by calling 1-800-772-1213. A missed letter can mean a missed important date, which can result in dismissal of your claim.

What happens if your claim is approved

If Social Security approves your claim, you will receive a notice that explains your monthly benefit amount and your Established Onset Date (EOD)—the date Social Security determines your disability began. Your first payment will arrive one to two months after approval. You will also be enrolled in Medicare automatically, though coverage does not begin until 24 months after your EOD (or when ready if you have end-stage renal disease or ALS).

After approval, Social Security will schedule a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to check whether your condition has improved. The timing depends on whether Social Security expects your condition to improve: cases expected to improve are reviewed every one to three years; cases not expected to improve are reviewed every five to seven years. You will receive notice before your CDR begins.

What happens if your claim is denied

About 65 to 70 percent of initial claims are denied. A denial does not mean you are not disabled—it means Social Security determined that based on the medical evidence they reviewed, your condition does not meet their rules for disability. Common reasons for denial include insufficient medical evidence, a condition that does not meet a listing, or a information that you can still perform some type of work.

Your denial notice will explain the reason and tell you that you have 60 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal. Do not wait. If you miss this important date, you must start over with a new process. The appeal process is called Reconsideration, and it involves a different examiner and medical consultant reviewing your case. You can submit new medical evidence during Reconsideration, which is why gathering records from recent doctor visits is important.

If Reconsideration is also denied, you have the right to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Many people are approved at the hearing stage because you can present evidence in person and answer questions about how your condition affects your work. An attorney or non-attorney representative can help you prepare for the hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check the status of my claim online?

Yes. Log into your account at ssa.gov using your Social Security number and password. Your account will show your claim status and any messages from Social Security. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 with your case number, though wait times are often long. Online is usually faster.

What if my doctor will not send records to Social Security?

Call your doctor's office and ask them to send records to your DDS office. Provide the office with your case number and the DDS address. If the office still refuses, you can request records yourself (doctors must provide copies within 30 days) and mail them to your DDS office with a cover letter that includes your case number.

Can I work while my claim is under review?

You can work, but only if you earn less than the SGA limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024. Earning more than this amount will result in denial because Social Security will assume you are not disabled. If you need income while waiting, discuss your situation with a work incentives counselor at your state vocational rehabilitation agency.

What should I do if I miss a important date Social Security gave me?

Call the DDS office listed on the letter when ready and explain that you missed the important date. Ask for an extension. Social Security can grant extensions if you have a good reason. Do not ignore the letter or assume your case will continue without a response.

How long does the review process usually take?

Most initial claims are decided within three to five months. Mental health cases, cases with multiple conditions, and cases requiring vocational review often take longer. Processing times vary by state. You can find your state's average time on the Social Security website or by calling your DDS office.