What happens when you contact Social Security about disability
When you contact Social Security to begin the process, you will speak with someone who takes basic information about your condition and work history. This conversation is not a decision about whether you receive benefits — it is the start of a longer review. Social Security will ask you to submit medical records, work history, and details about how your condition affects daily tasks.
You can start this process in three ways: by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office in person, or by creating an account at ssa.gov and starting online. The phone line and online option are usually faster than waiting for an in-person appointment. If you call, have your Social Security number ready and set aside about 30 minutes.
After you provide initial information, Social Security sends you a list of documents they need. This list is specific to your situation — they will ask for medical records from doctors who have treated your condition, employment records from your past jobs, and sometimes school records if your condition began in childhood. You do not have to gather these yourself; you can ask Social Security to request them from your doctors and former employers.
Key Takeaways
- You can start the process by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at your local Social Security office, or online at ssa.gov.
- Social Security will ask for medical records from your doctors and work history from your employers, which they can request on your behalf.
- The initial review takes three to five months; if Social Security denies your case, you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days.
- If you are denied twice, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which is where many people's cases are approved.
- You may want to work with a disability representative or lawyer after a denial, since the hearing stage is more formal and technical.
Gathering the medical records Social Security needs
Medical records are the foundation of your case. Social Security needs to see that a doctor has diagnosed your condition, that treatment has been ongoing, and that the condition prevents you from working. This means records from the past 12 months are most important — recent treatment shows your condition is current, not something from years ago that has improved.
If you have seen multiple doctors, gather records from all of them. Include records from your primary care doctor, specialists who treat your main condition, mental health providers if you have seen them, and any hospital or emergency room visits related to your condition. If you have had surgery, imaging tests, or lab work, those records matter too because they document what doctors found.
You do not need to pay for copies yourself. When you tell Social Security which doctors and hospitals to contact, they will request the records directly. This takes longer — usually two to four weeks per provider — but it is free. If you want records faster, you can request them yourself and mail them to Social Security, though you may have to pay copying fees.
Explaining your work history and why you cannot work
Social Security needs to understand what jobs you have held and why your condition prevents you from doing those jobs or any other work. When you first contact them, they will ask about your last job: what you did, how many hours you worked, and what physical or mental demands it had. Be specific — "I was a cashier" is less useful than "I was a cashier standing for eight hours a day, handling money, and talking to customers."
Then explain how your condition interferes with that work and with work in general. If you have pain, describe when it happens and how long it lasts. If you have trouble concentrating, explain what tasks you cannot complete. If you have anxiety or depression, describe how it affects your ability to be around people or follow instructions. Social Security reviewers need to understand not just that you are sick, but that the sickness stops you from earning money.
If you have not worked recently, explain why. If your condition got worse and you had to stop working, say when that happened and what changed. If you have tried to work since becoming ill and it did not work out, describe what happened — how long you lasted, what symptoms forced you to stop, whether you had to take medical leave.
What happens during the initial review period
After you submit your medical records and work history, a disability examiner at Social Security reviews your case. This takes three to five months on average, though it can be longer if records are slow to arrive or if your case is complex. You will not hear from Social Security during this time unless they need more information — if they do, they will contact you by mail.
The examiner compares your medical records against Social Security's list of conditions that automatically may have access to for benefits, called the Blue Book. If your condition matches one of these listings exactly, your case is approved. If it does not match exactly, the examiner decides whether your condition is severe enough to prevent any work. This decision is based on your medical records, not on your word alone.
Social Security will send you a letter with their decision. If they approve you, the letter explains when your benefits begin and how much you will receive each month. If they deny you, the letter explains their reason and tells you that you have 60 days to request reconsideration.
What to do if Social Security denies your case
A denial does not mean you cannot receive benefits — it means the first reviewer decided your medical records did not show you cannot work. You have the right to challenge this decision. Within 60 days of the denial letter, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner who reviews it from the start.
Before you request reconsideration, gather any new medical records you have since the first decision. If you have seen a doctor, had new test results, or started a new treatment, include those records. New evidence gives the second examiner a reason to reach a different conclusion. If nothing has changed medically, reconsideration is less likely to succeed, but you still have the right to request it.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is a more formal process — you or someone representing you will present your case to a judge who decides whether you meet the rules for benefits. Many people's cases are approved at the hearing stage because the judge can ask questions and hear your explanation directly, rather than relying only on written records.
Working with a representative or lawyer
You can handle the entire process yourself, but many people find it helpful to work with someone who knows the system. A disability representative or lawyer can help you gather records, explain your condition in the way Social Security needs to hear it, and represent you at a hearing if it comes to that.
You do not have to pay anything upfront. Representatives and lawyers who work with Social Security cases are paid only if you win — and only from your back pay, which is the money owed from the date you became unable to work. Social Security limits what they can charge: lawyers can take up to 25 percent of back pay, and representatives can take up to 25 percent or a flat fee of $6,000, whichever is less.
If you decide to work with someone, you can find them through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or by asking a local legal aid office. Many lawyers and representatives offer free initial consultations, so you can ask questions before deciding whether to hire them.
Understanding the timeline from start to decision
The full process from your first contact with Social Security to a final decision can take anywhere from a few months to two or three years, depending on how many times your case is reviewed and whether you request a hearing. Here is what the timeline usually looks like:
Initial process and document gathering takes one to two months. The first review takes three to five months. If denied and you request reconsideration, that takes another three to five months. If denied again and you request a hearing, you will wait three to twelve months for the hearing date, depending on how busy the judge's office is. After the hearing, the judge usually decides within a few weeks to a few months.
While you wait, you are not receiving benefits unless you are approved. This is why many people work with a representative — they can help speed the process and make sure nothing is missed that would delay a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my case is being reviewed?
Yes. Working does not disqualify you from benefits. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may decide you are able to work and deny your case. The amount changes yearly. If you work part-time or earn less than this, it does not affect your case.
What if I do not have recent medical records?
Tell Social Security which doctors have treated you, and they will request records. If you have not seen a doctor in a long time, consider scheduling an appointment before you explore — recent medical evidence strengthens your case. If you cannot afford a doctor, community health centers often charge based on income.
Do I need a lawyer to win my case?
No, but statistics show that people represented by lawyers or representatives are more likely to win at the hearing stage. You can represent yourself throughout the process, but many people find representation helpful after a denial, when the case becomes more technical.
What happens to my case if I move to a different state?
Your case stays with Social Security — it does not matter which state you live in. You will still work with the same examiner and the same process. If you have a hearing scheduled, you may be able to appear by video instead of traveling.
Can I get benefits while I wait for a decision?
Not during the initial review. However, if your case goes to a hearing and the judge approves you, your benefits usually start the month after the judge's decision, even though you may not receive the first payment for several weeks.