The Documents You Must Bring

Social Security will ask for proof of who you are, proof of your age, and proof of your citizenship or legal work status. Bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy. Bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you were not born in the United States, bring your green card, visa, or other immigration document that shows you can work here.

You will also need your Social Security number. If you do not have one, you can explore for one at the same time you explore for SSDI, but Social Security will need to verify your work history first. Bring your most recent tax return or a statement from your employer showing your earnings for the past year.

If you are explore for a child under 18, bring the child's birth certificate and Social Security number. If you are explore as a spouse or ex-spouse, bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree.

Medical Records and Proof of Your Condition

Social Security needs to see that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. Bring the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers who have treated you in the past three years. Include dates of your visits and what you were treated for.

Bring copies of recent medical records — test results, imaging reports, hospital discharge summaries, and treatment notes. If your condition is mental health–related, bring records from your therapist or psychiatrist. If you take medication, bring a list of what you take, the doses, and how often. Your pharmacy can print this for you if you do not have it.

Do not wait for Social Security to request your records. Gather them yourself and submit them with your process. Social Security can request them from your providers, but that takes time. Submitting them upfront speeds up the decision.

Work History and Earnings Information

Social Security will check your earnings record against what you report. Bring your last two years of tax returns, W-2 forms, or pay stubs. If you are self-employed, bring your business tax returns and profit-and-loss statements. If you have not worked recently, bring documentation of when you stopped working and why.

You do not need to gather your entire work history — Social Security has your earnings record from your Social Security account. But if you have worked under different names or Social Security numbers, bring documentation of that so Social Security can match the records correctly.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your original birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of citizenship or work authorization to prove who you are.
  • Gather medical records from the past three years, including doctor names, visit dates, test results, and a list of current medications.
  • Bring your last two years of tax returns or pay stubs to show your recent work history and earnings.
  • If you have a spouse or dependent children, bring marriage certificates or birth certificates for them.
  • Submit medical records yourself rather than waiting for Social Security to request them, which can delay your case.

What Information Social Security Will Ask You to Report

When you meet with Social Security or fill out the process online, you will report your work history month by month for the past 15 years. You will list every job, the dates you worked, what you did, and how much you earned. Social Security will verify this against your tax records, so be as accurate as you can.

You will describe your condition in detail — when it started, what symptoms you have, how it affects your ability to work, and what activities you cannot do. You will list all your medical providers and the dates of your last visits. You will report any medications, surgeries, or hospitalizations. You will describe your daily activities — whether you can walk, sit, lift, concentrate, or remember things.

You will also report your living situation, your household income, and whether anyone else depends on you for support. This information helps Social Security determine if you meet the non-medical rules for SSDI.

Documents You May Need if You Have Work Incentives or Other Benefits

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, or other government benefits, bring documentation of those. If you are married or have a dependent, bring information about their income and resources. If you own property or have savings, bring bank statements and property deeds.

If you have a representative — a lawyer, advocate, or family member — bring a signed form authorizing them to act on your behalf. Social Security form SSA-1696 is the standard form for this, but any written authorization with your signature will work.

What You Do Not Need to Bring

You do not need to bring a diagnosis letter from your doctor. Social Security will request medical records directly from your providers if you authorize them to do so. You do not need to bring a letter saying you cannot work — Social Security will make that information based on your medical records and work history.

You do not need to have a lawyer or representative to explore. You can explore on your own. If you later decide you want help, you can hire a representative at any point in the process.

Where to Submit Your Documents

If you explore online at ssa.gov, you can upload documents directly into your process. If you explore in person at your local Social Security office, bring originals or certified copies. Social Security will make copies for your file. If you explore by phone, Social Security will tell you where to mail or drop off your documents.

Keep copies of everything you submit. Write your Social Security number on each page. If you mail documents, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof Social Security received them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have my medical records before I explore?

No. You can explore without them and authorize Social Security to request them from your doctors. However, submitting them yourself when you explore speeds up the process because Social Security does not have to wait for providers to respond.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can get a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. Social Security can tell you how to order one. You can also explore with other documents that prove your age and identity — a passport, driver's license, or military discharge papers — while you wait for the birth certificate.

Can I explore if I do not have a Social Security number yet?

Yes. You can explore for a Social Security number at the same time you explore for SSDI. Bring your birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of work authorization. Social Security will issue you a number before they process your SSDI process.

Do I need to bring pay stubs if I have not worked in five years?

No. Bring whatever documentation you have of your most recent work — old tax returns, W-2s, or a letter from a former employer. If you have not worked in a long time, Social Security will focus on your medical records instead.

What happens if I cannot find some of my medical records?

Bring what you have and list the providers you cannot reach. Authorize Social Security to request the missing records directly from your doctors and hospitals. Social Security has staff who can track down old records, and providers are required to respond to official requests.