The first step is contacting Social Security to report your disability

You begin by reaching out to Social Security directly — not through a doctor, employer, or third party. You can call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers), visit your local Social Security office in person, or start online at ssa.gov. When you contact them, you tell Social Security that you believe you have a disability that prevents you from working and that you want to file for SSDI.

Social Security will ask you basic questions: your name, date of birth, where you live, and when your condition began. They will also ask about your work history to confirm you have enough work credits for SSDI (this is what you learned about in the previous section). If you do not have enough credits yet, they may tell you that you do not meet the work requirement, and the process stops there. If you do have enough credits, they will move forward with taking your process.

You do not need a lawyer, doctor's letter, or any documents at this first contact. You just need to say you want to file. Social Security handles the rest from there.

Key Takeaways

  • You contact Social Security yourself by phone, in person, or online — you do not go through your doctor or employer to start SSDI.
  • Social Security will verify you have enough work credits before moving forward, so your work history is the first thing they check.
  • The process process takes several months from start to finish, and most people are denied the first time they file.
  • You can work with a disability representative or lawyer during the process, but you do not need one to file.
  • If Social Security denies you, you have the right to appeal and request a hearing before a judge.

What happens after you file: the medical review

Once you have filed, Social Security sends your case to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office. This is a separate agency that works with Social Security to make the decision. DDS will request medical records from your doctors, hospitals, and any mental health providers you have seen. They may also order a new exam or test at no cost to you if they need more information about your condition.

DDS reviews all of this medical evidence to see whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. That definition is strict: your condition must prevent you from doing any kind of work that exists in the economy, not just your old job. It is not enough to say you cannot work — Social Security needs medical proof that supports that claim.

This review typically takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if DDS needs to order additional tests or if your case is complex. You will not hear from them every week; long silences are normal. If you have not heard anything after 4 months, you can call DDS to ask for a status update, but there is no way to speed up the process.

The decision letter and what it means

Social Security will send you a letter in the mail with their decision. The letter will say either that you are approved for SSDI, that you are denied, or (rarely) that they need more information before they can decide.

If you are approved, the letter will tell you the month your benefits begin and how much your monthly payment will be. Your first check arrives the following month. The letter also explains what you need to do next — usually reporting any work you do, changes in your living situation, or changes in your medical condition.

If you are denied, the letter explains the reason. Common reasons include: your condition does not meet Social Security's medical criteria, your medical records do not support your claim of disability, or you do not have enough work credits. The letter also tells you that you have the right to appeal.

What to do if you are denied: the appeal process

Being denied the first time is very common — Social Security denies roughly 65 to 70 percent of first-time applications. A denial does not mean you cannot get SSDI. It means you have the right to challenge the decision.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal, and most people do not need to go through all of them. The first level is called Reconsideration: Social Security sends your case to a different examiner at DDS, who reviews it from scratch. This takes another 3 to 6 months. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge — this is where many people's cases are approved. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence and testify about your condition.

You do not have to do the appeal alone. Many people work with a disability representative or lawyer during appeals because the process becomes more formal. Representatives and lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fees are capped by Social Security at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you first filed).

How long the entire process takes

From the day you file to the day you receive your first check, the timeline varies widely. If you are approved at the first decision, you are looking at 3 to 6 months total. If you are denied and appeal, add another 3 to 6 months for Reconsideration. If you request a hearing, add another 6 to 18 months depending on how busy your local hearing office is.

In total, people who eventually win often wait 1 to 3 years from filing to first payment. During this time, you receive no money from SSDI, even if you eventually win. This is why many people file for other benefits while waiting — Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program that may help if you have very low income and resources while your SSDI case is pending.

You can work part-time while your case is pending, but there are limits. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may view you as able to work and deny your case. The exact amount changes each year, so ask Social Security what the current limit is when you file.

Documents and information you will need to gather

You do not need to have everything before you file — Social Security will request what they need. But having these items ready speeds up the process. Bring or be ready to describe: your Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, names and addresses of all doctors and hospitals you have seen in the past few years, dates of any surgeries or hospitalizations, a list of all medications you take, and information about any work you have done in the past 15 years.

If you are filing in person at a Social Security office, bring originals or certified copies of documents like your birth certificate. If you are filing by phone or online, you will not need to show documents right away, but Social Security will ask you to send them later. Do not delay sending documents — the faster DDS gets your medical records, the faster they can make a decision.

Working with a representative during the SSDI process

You can file and handle your case entirely on your own, and many people do. But you also have the right to have someone represent you — a lawyer, a non-lawyer representative, or a family member. Representatives must be authorized by Social Security, and you sign a form giving them permission to act on your behalf.

A representative is most useful during appeals, especially if you reach the hearing stage. They know how to present medical evidence, what questions judges typically ask, and how to argue your case. They also handle paperwork and important date so you do not have to track them yourself. If you cannot afford a lawyer, organizations like the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) can help you find a representative who works on contingency — meaning they are paid only if you win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SSDI online, or do I have to go to a Social Security office?

You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online filing is often fastest because you can do it at your own pace and do not have to wait for an appointment. All three methods lead to the same process process.

What if I do not have all my medical records when I file?

You do not need them to file. Social Security will request your medical records directly from your doctors and hospitals once you have filed. Providing the names and addresses of your providers speeds this up, but Social Security can track down records even if you do not remember every place you have been treated.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

No. You can file and handle your entire case without a lawyer. Many people do. A lawyer becomes more useful if you are denied and decide to appeal, especially at the hearing stage, but it is not required at any point.

What happens to my SSDI if I go back to work?

SSDI has work incentives that let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready. You can earn up to a certain amount per month (currently $1,550 in 2024) without it affecting your benefits. If you earn more than that, your benefits may be reduced or stopped, but you can report changes to Social Security and adjust as needed.

How much back pay will I receive if I am approved?

You receive back pay from the month your disability began, not from the month you filed. Social Security calls this the "onset date." If your onset date was 18 months before you filed, and you are approved, you receive a lump sum covering those 18 months. The exact amount depends on your work history and the benefit calculation Social Security uses.