What "getting on disability" actually means
When you hear someone say they're "on disability," they usually mean they receive a monthly payment from Social Security because they cannot work due to a medical condition. The two programs that do this are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both are run by the Social Security Administration, but they work differently and have different rules about who qualifies.
SSDI is based on your own work history — you paid into Social Security through payroll taxes, and now you're drawing from that account. SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and few assets, regardless of work history. The first step is understanding which one you might be may be able to access for, because the path forward depends on that answer.
This guide walks you through what happens when you contact Social Security, what documents you'll need, and what to expect during the review process. It does not determine whether you may have access to — only Social Security can do that — but it shows you how the system works and what comes next.
Key Takeaways
- You start the process by contacting Social Security directly, either by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at your local office, or online at ssa.gov.
- Social Security will ask about your medical condition, your work history, and your current income and assets to decide which program fits your situation.
- You will need medical records from your doctors, proof of your work history, and documents showing your income and assets.
- The review process typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more information from you or your doctors.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal, and many people are approved on appeal even if they were denied the first time.
Contacting Social Security to start
You do not fill out a form online and wait. You contact Social Security directly, and they walk you through the next steps. There are three ways to do this:
By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf or hard of hearing). Wait times are shortest early in the morning or late in the week. Have your Social Security number ready. The person on the phone will ask basic questions about your condition and work history, then tell you what documents to gather.
In person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the address at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait. Calling ahead to schedule an appointment usually moves faster. Bring your Social Security number and any medical records you have with you.
Online: You can start the process at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You create a my Social Security account, answer questions about your condition and work history, and upload documents. You will still need to speak with someone at Social Security by phone to finish, but this option lets you start from home.
What Social Security will ask you
When you contact Social Security, they will ask about three main things: your medical condition, your work history, and your current situation. Have this information ready before you call or visit.
About your condition: When did it start? What doctors or hospitals have treated you? What medications do you take? How does it affect your ability to work — can you sit for eight hours, lift things, concentrate, remember instructions? Be specific. "My back hurts" is less useful than "I can sit for 20 minutes before pain forces me to stand."
About your work: What jobs have you held in the past 15 years? What were your job titles and what did you do? When did you stop working? If you still work part-time, how much do you earn per month? Social Security uses this to figure out whether SSDI or SSI fits your situation.
About your finances: How much money do you have in savings and checking accounts? Do you own a home or a car? Are you married, and if so, does your spouse work? This matters more for SSI than SSDI, but Social Security will ask either way.
Documents you will need to gather
Social Security will ask you to send or bring documents that prove what you've told them. Start gathering these now, even before you call. Some take time to get from doctors or employers.
| What you need | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Medical records from your doctors | Call each doctor's office and ask for records from the past 12 months. Some charge a small fee. Request them in writing if the office asks. |
| Lab results, imaging (X-rays, MRI), or test results | Your doctor's office or the hospital where the test was done. These are part of your medical records. |
| A list of your medications | Your pharmacy can print this, or write down the name, dose, and how often you take each one. |
| Proof of your work history | Your Social Security statement (create an account at ssa.gov to view it), old W-2 forms, or pay stubs. |
| Proof of income and assets (for SSI) | Bank statements, proof of rent or mortgage, utility bills, proof of any other income you receive. |
| Your birth certificate | Your vital records office or the courthouse in the county where you were born. |
| Proof of citizenship or legal residency | Your passport, green card, or naturalization papers. |
You do not need to have all of these before you call Social Security. When you contact them, they will tell you which ones are most important for your situation. But having medical records ready speeds things up — Social Security cannot move forward without them.
What happens after you submit your information
Once you've given Social Security your information and documents, they send your case to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. This is a separate team that reviews medical cases. They are not Social Security employees, but they work for Social Security.
The DDS team reads your medical records and compares them to Social Security's rules about what counts as a disability. They may ask your doctors questions directly. They may also ask you to go to a doctor that Social Security pays for — this is called a consultative examination. You do not pay for this; Social Security does. It usually happens if your medical records are old or incomplete.
This review typically takes three to six months. Social Security will mail you a letter when a decision is made. The letter explains whether you were approved or denied, and why. If you were approved, it tells you when your first payment arrives. If you were denied, it explains what you can do next.
If Social Security says no
A denial does not mean you cannot receive disability. It means the DDS team decided your condition does not meet Social Security's definition of disability at that moment. Many people are denied the first time and approved on appeal.
You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. There are four levels of appeal, in this order: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who appeal go to the hearing stage, where you can speak to a judge and bring evidence or a representative.
You do not have to do this alone. Many disability advocates and lawyers work on these cases. Some charge a fee only if you win; others charge nothing. You can find representatives through your state's Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program or through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).
What to expect while you wait
During the three to six months Social Security is reviewing your case, keep doing what you're doing. Continue seeing your doctors and taking your medications. Keep records of any new symptoms or changes in your condition. If you move or change your phone number, call Social Security and tell them — they need to be able to reach you.
Do not stop working or quit your job while waiting for a decision, unless you have to for medical reasons. If you are working and earning money, Social Security will factor that into their decision. But if you stop working just to look disabled, it can hurt your case.
If Social Security asks you to go to a consultative examination, go. Missing this appointment can result in a denial. If you cannot make the appointment, call Social Security when ready and ask to reschedule.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which one might you get
The program you receive depends on your work history and income. SSDI is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security. You do not have to be poor to receive it — your income and assets do not matter. The amount you receive is based on how much you earned while working.
SSI is for people with low income and few assets, regardless of work history. This includes people who never worked, people who worked very little, and people whose SSDI payment is very small. To receive SSI, your countable resources must be under $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married). Your monthly income must be below a certain amount, which varies by state.
Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This happens when your SSDI payment is low enough that you still fall below the SSI income limit. Social Security will figure out which program you may have access to for when they review your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my disability case is being reviewed?
Yes. You can work and earn money while Social Security reviews your case. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are able to work and deny your claim. The exact amount changes each year. If you are working, tell Social Security how much you earn.
Do I need a lawyer to get disability?
No. Many people are approved without a lawyer. But a lawyer or advocate can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for a hearing, and present your case. If you go to a hearing, having representation increases your chances of approval. Many representatives work for free unless you win.
What if my doctor says I cannot work but Social Security denies me?
Social Security uses its own rules about disability, which are stricter than most doctors' opinions. Your doctor's statement helps, but Social Security also looks at your medical records, test results, and whether you can do any kind of work. If you are denied, you can appeal and bring your doctor's statement as evidence.
How much money will I receive each month?
For SSDI, the amount depends on your work history and earnings record. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but it varies widely. For SSI, the federal payment is $943 per month in 2024, though some states add extra money. Social Security will tell you the exact amount when you are approved.
What happens if I get better and can work again?
Tell Social Security. Your payments will stop, but you have a trial work period where you can earn money without losing benefits. After that, there are other work incentives that let you keep some benefits while you work. Social Security has programs designed to help you return to work without losing everything at once.