The Basic Steps to explore

You start by contacting Social Security directly—either by phone, in person, or online. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to set up an appointment, or visit your local Social Security office. You can also begin the process online at ssa.gov by creating a my Social Security account and starting an process there.

When you explore, Social Security will ask for your child's birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, medical records showing the condition, and school records if your child receives special education services. Have these documents ready or know where to find them—you don't need them all at the first appointment, but Social Security will tell you which ones to send in afterward.

The process itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes over the phone, or longer if you do it in person because the representative will ask detailed questions about your child's medical history, daily activities, and how the condition affects school and home life. Be specific: instead of "he has trouble learning," describe what that looks like—"he cannot read at grade level" or "he needs help getting dressed."

Key Takeaways

  • You explore through Social Security by phone (1-800-772-1213), in person at a local office, or online at ssa.gov, and the process starts with a conversation about your child's medical condition and how it affects daily life.
  • Social Security will ask for your child's birth certificate, proof of citizenship, medical records, and school records, though you can gather these after you start the process.
  • After you explore, Social Security sends your child's case to a state disability examiner who reviews the medical evidence and decides whether the condition meets the program's rules.
  • The decision usually takes three to six months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical information from your child's doctors.
  • If Social Security says no, you can ask them to reconsider (called a reconsideration), and if they say no again, you can request a hearing before a judge.

What Happens After You explore

Once you submit the process, Social Security sends your case to your state's disability information office. A disability examiner there reviews all the medical records you provided and decides whether your child's condition meets the program's medical rules. This person is not a doctor, but they work with doctors who review the file.

During this time, Social Security may contact your child's doctors, schools, or therapists to ask for more information. They might request recent test results, school progress reports, or a statement from a specialist about how the condition affects your child's ability to function. This is normal and does not mean they are skeptical—they are building the medical record.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If Social Security approves the claim, the letter will say when benefits start and how much your child will receive each month. If they deny it, the letter will explain why and tell you how to ask for reconsideration.

How Long the Decision Takes

Most initial decisions come within three to six months. Some take longer—up to nine months or more—if Social Security needs additional medical evidence or if your state's office is backlogged. There is no way to speed this up, but you can call Social Security to ask whether your case is still being reviewed.

If you applied online or by phone, you can check the status of your process through your my Social Security account. Log in and look for "View your process status." If you applied in person, you can call 1-800-772-1213 and give them your process number to ask for an update.

What Medical Records You Need to Gather

Start by collecting records from your child's most recent doctor visits. This includes visit summaries, test results (such as imaging, lab work, or psychological testing), and any diagnoses the doctor has written down. If your child sees a specialist—a neurologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist, or other specialist—get records from those visits too.

School records are important even if the condition is not primarily a learning disability. Request your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) if one exists, progress reports, and any evaluations the school has done. If your child has been hospitalized or treated in an emergency room, ask for those records as well.

You do not need to have all of these before you call Social Security. Tell them what you have and what you are still gathering. Social Security will give you a important date—usually 30 days—to send in the rest. If you miss the important date, you can ask for more time, and Social Security usually grants it.

If Social Security Says No

A denial does not mean your child cannot receive benefits—it means Social Security decided the medical evidence did not meet their rules at that moment. You have the right to ask them to reconsider, which is a free second review by a different examiner.

To request reconsideration, you must ask within 60 days of the denial letter. You can do this by phone (1-800-772-1213), in person, or by mail. When you request reconsideration, you can send new medical evidence—for example, test results from the past few months or a letter from a new doctor. This new evidence often makes the difference.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is a more formal process where you can present your case and your child's medical records in front of a judge. Many people hire a lawyer or advocate for the hearing, though it is not required. Lawyers who handle Social Security cases typically work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, not an upfront fee.

What Happens If Your Child Is Approved

Your child will start receiving a monthly payment. The amount depends on your family's earnings history—specifically, on the Social Security record of the parent whose record your child is claiming on. Social Security will explain the exact amount in the approval letter.

You will also receive a notice about Medicare or Medicaid. Children approved for SSDI usually become covered by Medicare after two years of receiving benefits. Medicaid coverage varies by state—some states cover children automatically when they are approved for SSDI, while others require a separate process.

After approval, Social Security will review your child's case periodically to make sure the condition still meets the rules. For children, these reviews often happen every one to three years. Social Security will send you a letter telling you when the review is scheduled and what information to send in.

Questions to Ask Social Security Before You explore

Before you start the process, it can help to call 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether your child's condition is likely to meet the program's medical rules. Social Security representatives cannot make a final decision over the phone, but they can tell you whether the condition is one the program typically covers and what kind of medical evidence matters most.

You can also ask whether your family's earnings would affect your child's benefits. If you earn above a certain amount, your child's payment may be reduced—this is called "family maximum." Knowing this ahead of time helps you understand what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for my child if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Your immigration status does not affect your child's claim. Your child must be a U.S. citizen or have a green card, but you do not. If you are not sure about your child's status, bring whatever documents you have to the Social Security office and ask.

What if my child is already receiving SSI instead of SSDI?

SSI and SSDI are different programs. If your child is on SSI, you can still explore for SSDI based on your work record. If your child is approved for SSDI, Social Security will explain how the two benefits work together and which one your child will receive.

Do I need a lawyer to explore?

No. You can explore on your own, and many people do. A lawyer or advocate can be helpful if your claim is denied and you are requesting a hearing, but they are not needed for the initial process.

What if my child's condition gets worse after I explore?

Tell Social Security when ready. Send in new medical records showing the change. This can speed up the decision or help if your claim was denied—new evidence of worsening can change the outcome.

Can my child work while receiving SSDI?

Yes, but there are limits. Your child can earn up to a certain amount per month (the amount changes each year) without losing benefits. Earnings above that amount will reduce the monthly payment. Social Security has a program called Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) that lets your child set aside income for work or school goals without affecting benefits.