The Two Ways to Start an SSDI process

You can start an SSDI process in three places: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online route is fastest if you have a Social Security account already set up. The phone route takes about 15 to 20 minutes and a representative will walk you through basic questions. In-person applications at your local office take longer but let you bring documents and ask questions face-to-face.

No matter which route you choose, Social Security will ask the same core questions: your name, date of birth, work history, the date your condition began, and the names of doctors who have treated you. You do not need to have all your medical records ready before you start—you can submit them later—but having them organized speeds up the process.

After you submit your process, Social Security sends you a receipt notice with a case number. Keep this number. You will use it to check your process status online, by phone, or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your process online, by phone, or in person, and the online method is usually fastest if you already have a Social Security account.
  • Social Security will ask about your medical condition, when it started, your work history, and the doctors who have treated you.
  • You do not need medical records before you explore, but submitting them within 30 days of your process speeds up the review.
  • After you submit, you receive a case number and can track your process status using that number.
  • The entire review process typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence.

What Documents You Will Need to Gather

Social Security needs proof of your identity, your work history, and your medical condition. For identity, bring your birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. For work history, have your Social Security card and tax returns or W-2 forms from the past 15 years ready—this shows Social Security how long you have worked and how much you earned.

For your medical condition, gather records from every doctor, hospital, clinic, or mental health provider who has treated you since your condition began. This includes test results, imaging reports, surgery notes, therapy records, and medication lists. If you see a doctor regularly, ask their office to send your complete medical file to Social Security. You can authorize Social Security to request records directly from your providers, which saves you time.

You will also need the names and addresses of all your doctors and the dates you saw them. If you have been hospitalized, include the hospital name, dates of admission and discharge, and the reason for admission.

The Online process Process Step by Step

Go to ssa.gov and click "explore for Disability." If you do not have a Social Security account, you will create one using your email address and a password. Social Security will send you a verification code to confirm your email.

Once you are logged in, the process asks for your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact details. Then it moves to your work history. You will list every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, job title, dates you worked there, and what you did. Social Security uses this to determine whether you have worked enough to be insured for disability benefits.

Next comes your medical history. You will describe your condition, when it started, and how it affects your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "I have back pain," write "I have a herniated disc that causes sharp pain when I stand for more than 10 minutes, and I cannot lift anything heavier than 5 pounds." Social Security uses this description to understand the severity of your condition.

At the end, you will list your doctors and authorize Social Security to request your medical records. You can submit the process without all your records attached—Social Security will request them from your providers—but submitting them yourself within 30 days speeds up the review.

explore by Phone or In Person

If you call 1-800-772-1213, a Social Security representative will ask the same questions as the online form, in the same order. The call usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Have your work history and doctor names ready before you call, because the representative will ask for them during the call. At the end of the call, Social Security mails you a receipt notice with your case number.

If you go to your local Social Security office, bring your birth certificate, Social Security card, and a list of your doctors and employers. An employee will help you fill out the process form (called the SSA-16) and answer questions about your condition and work history. Bring any medical records you have with you—the office can scan them and add them to your file when ready. You will receive a receipt notice before you leave.

To find your local office, go to ssa.gov, click "Find a Social Security Office," and enter your zip code. Many offices now require you to make an appointment before you visit, so call ahead or book online.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

Social Security sends your process to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office. This office is separate from Social Security and employs doctors and specialists who review your medical records. The DDS office has 60 days to make a decision, though many cases take longer if they need more information from your doctors.

During this time, Social Security may contact you to ask follow-up questions or request additional medical records. If your doctors do not respond to Social Security's request within 30 days, Social Security may send you a letter asking you to have your doctor submit the records. You can speed this up by calling your doctor's office and asking them to send the records directly to Social Security. Include your case number in the request.

You can check your process status online using your case number at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office. Social Security will not call you to tell you the decision—you will receive a letter in the mail.

Understanding the Decision Letter

Your decision letter will say one of three things: approved, denied, or approved for a different program. If you are approved for SSDI, the letter tells you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. Benefits usually start the month after Social Security approves you, though some cases have a waiting period.

If you are denied, the letter explains why. Common reasons include: your condition does not meet Social Security's definition of disability, your medical records do not show you cannot work, or you have not worked long enough to be insured. The letter also tells you that you have 60 days to file an appeal if you disagree with the decision.

If you are approved for a different program—usually Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI—the letter explains the difference and what benefits you receive. SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and few assets, while SSDI is based on your work history.

Timeline From process to Decision

Most SSDI applications take three to six months from the date you submit to the date you receive a decision. Some cases are decided faster if your medical condition is clearly severe and well-documented. Other cases take longer if Social Security needs more information from your doctors or if your case is complex.

The timeline breaks down roughly like this: Social Security processes your process and sends it to DDS within one to two weeks. DDS reviews your medical records and makes a decision within 60 days, though many offices take longer. Once DDS makes a decision, Social Security mails you the decision letter within one to two weeks.

If you are denied and file an appeal, the timeline resets. An appeal to reconsideration takes another three to six months. If you request a hearing before an administrative law judge, the wait is typically one to two years, depending on how busy your local hearing office is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my process is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not hurt your process, but Social Security will look at how much you earned and whether you were able to work despite your condition. If you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may assume you can work and deny your claim. The amount changes each year. If you are working but your condition is severe, explain in your process why you cannot continue working or why your job is temporary.

What if I do not have medical records from my doctors?

Contact your doctor's office and request your complete medical file. If you cannot reach your doctor or they are no longer in practice, tell Social Security in writing. Social Security may send you to a doctor for an examination at no cost to you. This is called a consultative examination, and Social Security uses it to gather medical evidence when your own records are incomplete.

Do I need a lawyer to explore?

No. You can explore on your own without a lawyer. However, if your process is denied and you appeal, many people hire a lawyer to represent them at the hearing. Lawyers who handle SSDI cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, not an upfront fee.

What if my condition got worse after I submitted my process?

Tell Social Security when ready. Call your local office or contact your case worker using your case number. You can submit new medical records showing the worsening condition, and Social Security will add them to your file. This may speed up approval if the new evidence is strong.

Can I explore if I am still working full-time?

Yes, but Social Security will examine whether your earnings show you can work. If you earn more than $1,550 per month, Social Security may deny your claim based on the assumption that you are not disabled. If you are working but your condition is severe and you cannot continue, explain this clearly in your process and provide medical evidence of why you will have to stop working soon.