What Disability.gov is and what you can do there

Disability.gov is a federal website run by the Department of Labor that lets you search for disability programs, benefits, and services in your state. It is not the same as My Social Security or the Social Security Administration's SSDI portal. Disability.gov is a directory and information tool — you use it to find what programs exist, learn the rules for each one, and get contact information for the agencies that run them.

Once you create an account on Disability.gov, you can save programs to a personal list, track which ones you have looked into, and store notes about your own situation. The site covers SSDI, SSI, state vocational rehabilitation programs, Medicaid work incentives, housing information, employment services, and hundreds of other programs. It does not process your SSDI claim or connect directly to Social Security — it is a research and planning tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Disability.gov is a searchable directory of disability programs run by the Department of Labor, separate from Social Security's own portals.
  • You create a free account to save programs to a personal list and track which ones you have researched.
  • The site covers SSDI, SSI, state programs, work incentives, and local services, but does not process claims or connect to your Social Security account.
  • You can search by state, program type, or keyword to find programs that match your situation.

How to create a Disability.gov account

Go to Disability.gov and look for the "Sign In" or "Create Account" button, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and choose "Create a New Account." You will be asked for an email address, a password, and basic information like your state and whether you are looking for information for yourself or someone else.

You do not need to provide your Social Security number, medical records, or proof of disability to create an account. The site only asks for information that helps it show you relevant programs in your area. Once you have entered your details and confirmed your email address, your account is active and you can start searching.

Signing in and navigating your account

After you sign in, you will see a dashboard where you can search for programs by state, category (employment, housing, healthcare, education), or keyword. You can also browse by life event — for example, "I just lost my job" or "I need help paying for medical care." Each program listing shows the program name, what it covers, who runs it, and how to contact them.

When you find a program that interests you, you can click "Save to My List" to add it to your account. Your saved list stays with your account, so you can come back to it later without having to search again. You can also add notes to each program — for example, "Called on 3/15, waiting to hear back" — to keep track of where you are in the process.

The difference between Disability.gov and My Social Security

Disability.gov is a research and planning tool. My Social Security is your personal account with the Social Security Administration, where you can view your earnings record, check the status of an SSDI or SSI claim, and manage your benefits once you are receiving them. You do not sign into Disability.gov with your Social Security username and password — they are completely separate accounts.

If you are already receiving SSDI or SSI and want to check your benefit amount, report a change, or see your payment history, you use My Social Security. If you are trying to find out what programs exist in your state or understand how different programs work together, you use Disability.gov. Many people use both: Disability.gov to learn about options, and My Social Security to manage an active claim.

What to do if you forget your password or cannot sign in

On the Disability.gov sign-in page, look for a "Forgot Password?" link. Click it and enter the email address you used to create your account. Disability.gov will send you a link to reset your password. Check your email (including your spam folder) within a few minutes. The reset link usually works for 24 hours.

If you do not receive an email, make sure you are using the correct email address. If you are still stuck, look for a "Contact Us" link on the Disability.gov website. You can also call the Disability.gov helpline — the phone number is listed on the site — and staff can help you regain access to your account or answer questions about how the site works.

Using Disability.gov to plan your next steps

Once you have created your account and saved programs, the next step is usually to contact the programs directly. Disability.gov gives you the phone number, website, and sometimes a mailing address for each program. Many programs have their own separate process process, and some have their own online portals or accounts you will need to set up.

For example, if you find a state vocational rehabilitation program on Disability.gov, you will then contact that program directly to learn about their rules and how to work with them. If you find information about SSDI work incentives, you might use that information to decide whether to report work income to Social Security. Disability.gov is the starting point — it tells you what exists and how to reach it, but each program is run separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Disability.gov account to search for programs?

No. You can search Disability.gov without signing in. Creating an account is optional and is mainly useful if you want to save a list of programs and add notes to them. If you just want to look up one or two programs, you can search without an account.

Is my information on Disability.gov shared with Social Security or other agencies?

No. Your Disability.gov account is separate from your Social Security account and other government programs. The information you enter on Disability.gov stays on that site. Creating an account does not notify Social Security or any other agency, and it does not start a claim or change your benefits.

Can I use Disability.gov to file for SSDI or SSI?

No. Disability.gov is a directory that tells you about SSDI and SSI and how to contact Social Security, but you cannot file a claim through Disability.gov. To file for SSDI or SSI, you use My Social Security, call Social Security directly, or visit a local Social Security office in person.

What if I cannot find the program I am looking for on Disability.gov?

Disability.gov covers hundreds of programs, but not every local or specialized program may be listed. If you cannot find what you need, try searching by keyword or state, or contact your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) or your state's disability services office. They may know about programs that are not yet on Disability.gov.

Can I update my account information after I sign up?

Yes. Once you are signed in, look for an account settings or profile page, usually accessible from a menu in the top right corner. You can update your email, password, state, and other information you provided when you signed up.