Where to Begin: The Social Security Administration

To start an SSDI claim, you contact the Social Security Administration directly—not your state, not a disability office, not a nonprofit. You have three ways to begin: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security field office. The online route is fastest if you have a my Social Security account; the phone route works if you prefer to talk through your situation first; the field office route is best if you need documents reviewed on the spot or have trouble with English.

When you contact Social Security, you are not yet filing a formal claim. You are starting an Disability Report—a conversation that gathers basic information about your condition, your work history, and your medical care. This report does not lock you into anything. It tells Social Security that you believe you may be disabled and want to explore whether you meet their rules. Social Security will then tell you what documents you need to submit to move forward.

Key Takeaways

  • You start by contacting Social Security directly—online, by phone, or at a field office—to file a Disability Report, not a formal claim.
  • Social Security will ask about your medical condition, when it started, which doctors treat you, and your work history since age 21.
  • You will need medical records from your doctors, proof of your Social Security number and age, and documentation of any work you have done in the past 15 years.
  • The entire process from first contact to a decision typically takes three to six months, though some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with a lawyer's help are eventually approved.

What Information Social Security Will Ask For

During your Disability Report, a Social Security representative will ask you to describe your medical condition in your own words: what it is, when it started, what symptoms you have, and how it affects your ability to work. They will ask which doctors, hospitals, or clinics have treated you and how often. They will ask about medications you take and any surgeries or treatments you have had. Be as specific as you can—vague answers slow the process down because Social Security will have to contact your doctors to fill in the gaps.

Social Security will also ask about your work history. They need to know every job you have held since age 21, how long you worked at each one, what you did, and when you stopped working. If you are still working, they will ask how much you earn per month. They will ask whether you have ever received workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, or other disability payments. All of this information helps Social Security determine whether you meet the substantial gainful activity test—the rule that says you cannot earn more than a certain amount per month (in 2024, that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals, though this changes yearly) and still be considered disabled.

Documents You Will Need to Gather

Social Security will send you a list of documents to submit after your Disability Report. The core documents are: your birth certificate or passport (to prove your age), your Social Security card or a document showing your number, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a U.S. passport, naturalization papers, or a green card). You will also need your most recent tax return or W-2 forms to document your work history and earnings.

The most important documents are your medical records. Social Security needs records from every doctor, mental health provider, hospital, or clinic that has treated you for your condition. This includes office visit notes, test results, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), lab work, and any diagnoses or treatment plans your doctors have written. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may deny your claim—they cannot make a decision based on your word alone. You can request these records from your providers' offices; most will send them to Social Security for free if you sign a release form, though some charge a copying fee.

If you have worked in the past 15 years, gather pay stubs, W-2 forms, or tax returns showing what you earned. If you are self-employed, bring your tax returns and business records. If you receive or have received any other benefits—workers' compensation, unemployment, state disability, veterans benefits, or pension payments—bring documentation of those as well.

How Long the Process Takes and What Happens Next

After you submit your documents, a Social Security claims examiner will review everything. If your medical records clearly show that you meet Social Security's definition of disability, you may receive an approval within two to three months. If the records are incomplete or unclear, Social Security will contact your doctors to request more information—this can add another month or two. If Social Security still does not have enough evidence, they may send you to a doctor they choose (called a consultative examination) to evaluate you at no cost to you.

Social Security will mail you a decision letter. The letter will either approve your claim, deny it, or approve it for a later date (if your condition started recently and you do not yet meet the 12-month duration rule). The letter will explain the reason for the decision and tell you how to appeal if you disagree. Do not throw this letter away—you will need it if you appeal or if you later need to prove when your benefits started.

What Happens If Social Security Denies Your Claim

About 65 to 70 percent of first-time SSDI claims are denied. A denial does not mean you are not disabled—it means Social Security decided your medical records do not prove you meet their specific rules. The most common reasons for denial are: your condition has not lasted or is not expected to last 12 months, your medical records do not show objective findings (test results, imaging, or clinical notes from a doctor), or your earnings are too high.

If you are denied, you have the right to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file a Request for Reconsideration. This is a free process where a different examiner reviews your case. If you have new medical records since your first claim, submit them with your reconsideration request—this is your chance to strengthen your case. Many people are approved on reconsideration if they have gathered more recent medical evidence.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is where most people who eventually win their case succeed. At a hearing, you can present your medical records, have your doctors testify (usually by phone), and explain in your own words how your condition affects your ability to work. Many people hire a lawyer at this stage; lawyers who handle SSDI cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (up to 25 percent) only if you win, and they charge nothing if you lose.

Work Incentives and Reporting Requirements Once You Start Receiving Benefits

Once you are approved for SSDI, you are not required to stop working when ready. Social Security has work incentives that let you test your ability to work without losing your benefits right away. The most important one is the Trial Work Period, which lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without your benefits being affected. After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period, where you can continue to work and receive benefits as long as your earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity limit.

Once you start receiving SSDI, you must report changes to Social Security: if you return to work, if your medical condition improves, if you move, or if your contact information changes. You will receive a form each year asking you to confirm that you are still disabled and that your information is current. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you will have to repay, so take these reports seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SSDI online, or do I have to call or go to an office?

You can start online at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account. The online process is faster and you can work at your own pace. If you do not have an account, you can create one during the filing process. Phone and in-person filing are also available and may be better if you need help understanding the questions or have documents to show.

What if I do not have recent medical records because I cannot afford a doctor?

Social Security cannot approve you without medical evidence, so this is a real problem. Before you file, try to see a doctor at a community health center, hospital emergency room, or free clinic. Explain that you are filing for disability and need documentation. If you have already filed and Social Security requests a consultative examination, that exam is free and counts as medical evidence.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

No, you can file on your own. Many people are approved without a lawyer. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal to a hearing, a lawyer significantly increases your chances of winning. Lawyers who handle SSDI cases charge nothing upfront and take a percentage of your back pay only if you win.

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

Back pay is calculated from the date you became disabled, not the date you filed. However, SSDI has a five-month waiting period, so your benefits do not start until the sixth month of disability. If you filed months after you became disabled, you will receive back pay for all the months between the end of the waiting period and the month you were approved. The exact amount depends on your Primary Insurance Amount, which is based on your earnings record.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is based on your work history and Social Security taxes you have paid. SSI is a needs-based program for people with low income and few resources, regardless of work history. You may be denied for SSDI but still be able to file for SSI. Social Security will tell you if you are potentially may be able to access for SSI when they deny your SSDI claim.