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 do not need to wait for a letter or call from Social Security — you can look up your status yourself at any time.

To check online, go to ssa.gov and sign into your my Social Security account. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and a password. Once logged in, select "Manage Your Benefits" and then "View Your Case Status." The page will show you where your claim stands in the review process and, if a decision has been made, what that decision is.

If you prefer to call, dial 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have your Social Security number ready. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning on weekdays. A representative will look up your claim and tell you the current status. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person — find the address at ssa.gov/locator.

Key Takeaways

  • Your my Social Security account shows your claim status 24 hours a day without waiting on hold or scheduling an appointment.
  • The status page tells you which stage your claim is in — initial review, medical review, or decision made — and the date of the last action.
  • If you have not received a decision within 60 to 90 days of filing, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether your file is complete or if Social Security is waiting for medical records from your doctor.
  • A decision letter will arrive by mail once Social Security approves or denies your claim; the online status page usually shows the decision before the letter arrives.

What the Status Page Actually Shows

The my Social Security status page does not show every detail of your case, but it shows the most important ones: the date you filed, the date of the last action Social Security took on your claim, and whether a decision has been made. If your claim is still under review, it will say "pending" and show approximately how long the review usually takes.

The page will also tell you if Social Security is waiting for something from you — for example, if your doctor has not yet sent medical records, or if you need to complete a form and return it. If you see a message that says Social Security needs information from you, that is a sign you should act quickly. Delays in returning forms or records can add weeks to the review time.

The status page does not show the details of what your doctors told Social Security, what the medical consultant reviewing your case thinks, or how close you are to approval or denial. For those details, you would need to request your case file, which is a separate process explained below.

How Long Claims Usually Take

Initial SSDI and SSI claims typically take 3 to 6 months from the date you file to the date Social Security makes a decision. This timeline assumes your file is complete — that you submitted all required documents and your doctors sent their records on time. If Social Security is waiting for medical evidence, the timeline extends.

The first stage is the initial review, which takes 30 to 60 days. During this time, a Social Security examiner checks that you filed the right form, that you meet the non-medical requirements (age, work history, or income limits depending on the program), and that your file has all the necessary documents. If anything is missing, Social Security will contact you and ask you to send it.

The second stage is the medical review, which takes another 30 to 60 days. A medical consultant (usually a doctor or psychologist who works for Social Security) reads your medical records and writes a report on whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. This is the longest and most important part of the process.

If your claim is denied at the initial level, you have the right to request a reconsideration, which starts the process over with a different examiner and medical consultant. A reconsideration also takes 3 to 6 months. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which can take 12 to 18 months depending on your local hearing office's backlog.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Taking Longer Than Expected

If more than 90 days have passed since you filed and your status page still shows "pending," call 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to check whether your file is complete. Ask specifically: "Is Social Security waiting for any medical records or forms from me?" If the answer is yes, contact your doctor's office that day and ask them to send the records to Social Security when ready. Provide them with the fax number or mailing address from your decision notice or the Social Security website.

If Social Security is not waiting for anything from you, ask the representative how long the medical review usually takes in your state. This varies — some states have faster processing times than others. If you are told the review is taking longer than the typical range, ask whether you can request a status update or whether there is anything you can do to speed up the process. In most cases, there is not, but asking puts your case on the radar.

If your claim has been pending for more than 6 months and you have not heard anything, you can file a complaint with the Social Security Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. This does not speed up your claim, but it creates a record if there has been an unusual delay. You can also contact your U.S. representative's or senator's office — they have constituent services staff who can contact Social Security on your behalf and sometimes get answers faster.

How to Request Your Full Case File

Your case file contains everything Social Security has about your claim: your process form, all medical records they received, the medical consultant's report, notes from any phone calls with Social Security, and the decision letter if one has been issued. You can request this file at any time, even while your claim is still pending.

To request your file, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a copy of your case file, or visit your local Social Security office in person. You can also submit a written request by mail to your local office. Social Security will mail you the file within 5 to 10 business days. There is no charge for this request.

Reading your case file is useful if you want to understand why your claim was denied, or if you are preparing for a reconsideration or hearing. The medical consultant's report is the most important document — it explains what your medical records show and why the consultant did or did not find that you meet Social Security's disability standard. If you disagree with the report, you can submit new medical evidence as part of your appeal.

Understanding a Denial Decision

If your claim is denied, the decision letter will explain the reason in one of three ways: you do not have a severe impairment, your impairment is severe but does not meet Social Security's medical criteria, or you are able to work despite your condition. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days of the date on the letter.

A denial does not mean your case is closed. You can request reconsideration, which sends your claim to a different examiner and medical consultant who will review it from the beginning. You can also submit new medical evidence — for example, if you have had additional testing or treatment since you first filed, that new evidence can change the outcome. Include a cover letter explaining what is new and why it is relevant to your claim.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. At a hearing, you can present evidence, answer questions, and have a representative (such as a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) speak on your behalf. Many people who were denied twice win at the hearing stage, so do not give up after a denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my claim status if someone else filed it for me?

Yes, if you have a my Social Security account in your name, you can check your own claim status. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your Social Security number and email address. If you filed through a representative or advocate, they can also check the status on your behalf if you have given them permission.

What does "pending" mean on my status page?

Pending means Social Security has not yet made a decision on your claim. It is still in the review stage — either the initial review or the medical review. Pending does not mean anything is wrong; it is the normal status while your claim is being processed.

Will Social Security call me to tell me my decision?

Social Security usually does not call to tell you that you have been approved or denied. You will receive a decision letter by mail. However, Social Security may call you if they need more information from you, or if you requested a hearing and need to confirm the date and time.

What if I moved and Social Security sends my decision letter to my old address?

Update your address in your my Social Security account as soon as you move. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to update your address. If you think your decision letter was sent to an old address, call Social Security and ask them to resend it to your current address.

Can I check my claim status on my phone?

Yes. The my Social Security website works on phones and tablets. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 from any phone. There is no official Social Security mobile app for checking claim status, so be cautious of apps that claim to offer this service.