Where to Check Your Claim Status

You can check the status of your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim in three ways: online through your personal my Social Security account, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest and available 24 hours a day. You will need to create or log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov using your Social Security number, email address, and a password you create.

Once logged in, select "Benefit applications" or "My Requests" to see the current status of any pending claim. The status will show one of several stages: received, under review, decision made, or approved. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Your my Social Security account shows your claim status online at any time, and you can create one in minutes with your Social Security number and email address.
  • The status page will tell you whether your claim is received, under review, or a decision has been made, but it does not show the reason for delays.
  • If your claim shows "under review" for longer than the typical timeframe (60 to 90 days for initial claims), calling 1-800-772-1213 can connect you with a representative who can investigate.
  • After a decision is made, the status page will show whether you were approved or denied, and you can view the official decision letter in your account.

What Each Status Stage Means

When you log into your account, the status will fall into one of four categories. "Received" means Social Security has logged your claim into their system but has not yet assigned it to a claims examiner. This stage typically lasts a few days to a week. "Under review" means a claims examiner is gathering your medical records, work history, and other evidence. This is the longest stage and usually takes 60 to 90 days for an initial claim, though it can extend longer if Social Security needs to request additional records from your doctors or employers.

"Decision made" means Social Security has finished reviewing your case and reached a conclusion, but you may not have received the official letter yet. Check your account for the decision letter, which will be posted there before it arrives by mail. "Approved" or "Denied" will appear once the decision is final. If approved, the letter will state your benefit amount and the month payments begin. If denied, the letter will explain the reason and your right to file an appeal.

How Long Claims Typically Take

Initial SSDI and SSI claims usually take 60 to 90 days from the date you file until Social Security makes a decision. However, this timeline varies based on how quickly your doctors respond to records requests and whether Social Security needs to order a consultative examination (a medical exam paid for by Social Security). If your case is straightforward and your medical records are recent and complete, you may receive a decision in as little as 30 days. If your records are old, scattered across multiple providers, or if Social Security cannot reach your doctors, the review can stretch to 120 days or longer.

If your claim remains "under review" for more than 120 days, contact Social Security to ask whether they are waiting for specific records. Often, calling your doctor's office to confirm they sent the records, then notifying Social Security of that confirmation, can speed up the process. Keep a list of every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider you have seen in the past five years, along with their phone numbers and fax numbers, so you can help Social Security locate records quickly.

What to Do If Your Claim Status Does Not Update

If your status has not changed in more than 120 days, or if the status page shows "under review" but you have not heard from Social Security in over a month, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a representative about your specific claim. Have your Social Security number and claim number (found in your my Social Security account) ready. The representative can tell you whether Social Security is waiting for medical records, whether they have scheduled a consultative exam, or whether your case is stuck in a queue.

If Social Security is waiting for records from a doctor, ask the representative to send a formal request to that provider and ask for a important date. If the records have been requested but not received, you can call your doctor's office directly and ask them to fax or mail the records to Social Security's local office. The address for your local office appears in your my Social Security account under "Contact us." Providing records yourself does not replace Social Security's official request, but it can speed up the process.

Understanding Your Decision Letter

Once Social Security makes a decision, you will receive an official letter in the mail and can view it in your my Social Security account. If you are approved, the letter will state your monthly benefit amount, the month your payments begin, and whether you are approved for SSDI, SSI, or both. It will also explain any work incentives you may be may have access to to, such as the ability to work and still receive benefits for a trial period. Read this section carefully, as it affects how much you can earn without losing benefits.

If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason — for example, "your condition does not meet our criteria for disability" or "your work history does not may have access to you for SSDI." The letter will also state your right to file an appeal and the important date to do so, which is typically 60 days from the date on the letter. Keep this letter in a safe place; you will need it if you decide to appeal or if you later need to prove your claim was denied.

Tracking Multiple Claims or Requests

If you have filed more than one claim — for example, an initial claim and a reconsideration appeal, or claims for both SSDI and SSI — your my Social Security account will list all of them under "Benefit applications" or "My Requests." Each claim will have its own status and timeline. Initial claims and appeals are tracked separately, so do not assume that a delay in one affects the other. If you have filed an appeal, that appeal will appear as a separate item with its own status, typically showing "under review" until a decision is made.

If you are unsure whether you have filed an appeal or whether your initial claim is still pending, log into your account and look at the date each claim was filed. The most recent filing date will be your current active claim. If you see multiple claims with the same filing date, contact Social Security to clarify which one is active, as duplicate filings can cause confusion and delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my claim status without creating a my Social Security account?

Yes. Call 1-800-772-1213 and provide your Social Security number to a representative. They can tell you the status over the phone. However, creating an account takes about five minutes and lets you check your status anytime without waiting on hold.

What does "under review" mean, and how long will it last?

Under review means a claims examiner is gathering your medical records and work history. It typically lasts 60 to 90 days but can take longer if records are hard to obtain or if Social Security orders a medical exam. If it lasts more than 120 days, call to ask what is causing the delay.

Will my status change if I submit more medical records after I file?

Yes. If you send additional records after filing, Social Security will add them to your file and may continue reviewing. Your status will remain "under review" until a decision is made. Tell Social Security you are sending new records so they know to wait for them before deciding.

What happens after my claim is approved?

Your decision letter will state the month your benefits begin and your monthly amount. Payments are deposited directly to your bank account or sent to a debit card. You will also receive information about work incentives, Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and any ongoing reporting requirements.

Can I check my claim status on my phone?

Yes. The my Social Security account works on phones and tablets. read the official Social Security mobile app or visit ssa.gov in your phone's browser, log in, and select "Benefit applications" to see your status.