How Social Security tells you about your decision
Social Security sends you a written notice in the mail. This is the official record of whether your process was approved or denied. The notice arrives at the address you provided on your process, usually within two to five weeks after a decision is made — though some cases take longer.
You cannot call Social Security and ask them to tell you over the phone. You have to wait for the letter. If you applied online through my Social Security (the official Social Security website), you can also check your account there to see if a notice has been posted, but the mailed letter is what counts legally.
The notice will say one of three things: approved, denied, or approved at a different payment level than you requested. It will also explain why, and what to do next if you disagree.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security mails a formal notice to your address — this is the only official way to learn your decision.
- The notice typically arrives two to five weeks after a decision is made, though some cases take much longer.
- If you created a my Social Security account, you can check it online before the letter arrives, but the mailed notice is the legal record.
- The notice will state whether you were approved, denied, or approved at a different payment level, and will explain the reason.
- You have 60 days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration if you disagree with the decision.
What the approval notice includes
An approval notice tells you the month your benefits begin and the amount you will receive each month. It also explains how much you earned in work credits and confirms that Social Security found your medical condition meets their definition of disability. The notice includes information about Medicare or Medicaid coverage if you are may have access to to it.
The notice will also tell you about your representative payee if one was assigned — this is someone Social Security appointed to manage your benefits if they determined you cannot handle money on your own. You can request a change to this decision.
Keep this notice. You will need it to prove your benefits status to landlords, employers, or other agencies. Social Security can send you replacement copies, but having the original is simpler.
What the denial notice includes
A denial notice explains which of Social Security's medical criteria your condition did not meet, and why the examiner reached that conclusion. It will reference the medical records they reviewed and the vocational informed's findings if one was involved in your case.
The notice also tells you that you have the right to request reconsideration — a second review of your case by a different examiner. You must request this within 60 days of the date on the notice. The 60-day window is strict; if you miss it, you lose the right to reconsideration and must start a new process instead.
If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is a separate process with its own timeline and rules.
Checking your status online
If you have a my Social Security account, you can log in and check whether a notice has been posted to your account. This usually happens a few days before the letter arrives in the mail, but not always. The online notice is the same as the mailed one — it is not a preliminary decision.
To create a my Social Security account, go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account." You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or address on file). Once you are logged in, select "My Benefits" and look for any notices under "Messages" or "Documents."
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to use the online system, waiting for the mailed notice is fine. There is no penalty for not checking online.
What to do if you do not receive a notice
If more than five weeks have passed since you submitted your process and you have not received a notice, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you whether a decision has been made and, if so, why the notice has not arrived.
If your address changed after you applied, the notice may have been sent to your old address. Tell Social Security your current address and ask them to remail the notice. If the notice was sent to an old address and you no longer have access to that mailbox, Social Security can issue a replacement.
Do not assume no decision has been made just because you have not heard anything. Some cases genuinely take longer — initial decisions can take three to six months or more if your medical records are complex or if Social Security needs additional information from your doctors.
If you were approved but the payment amount seems wrong
Your approval notice shows how much you will receive each month. This amount is based on your earnings history — specifically, the 35 years in which you earned the most (or fewer years if you have not worked that long). Social Security calculates this automatically and the notice explains the formula they used.
If the amount seems incorrect, you can request a detailed breakdown of your earnings record. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a statement of your earnings. This shows what Social Security has on file for each year you worked. If there are errors — missing years, wrong amounts, or earnings credited to the wrong year — you can request a correction, but you must do this within a specific timeframe.
Do not delay if you think there is an error. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to correct old records.
Understanding the effective date on your notice
Your approval notice includes an effective date — the month your benefits officially begin. This is not always the month you applied. Social Security has rules about how far back they can approve benefits, and the effective date depends on when you became disabled and when you applied.
If you applied more than a year after you became disabled, your benefits may start from the month you applied rather than from when the disability began. If you applied quickly, you may receive back pay — a lump sum covering the months between when you became disabled and when you applied. The notice will tell you whether you are receiving back pay and how much.
Back pay is paid in one or more lump sums, separate from your regular monthly benefit. It can take several weeks to process after your approval.
What happens after approval
Once you are approved, Social Security will set up your direct deposit to a bank account. If you did not provide banking information on your process, you will receive a notice asking you to do so. You can set this up online through my Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Your first payment arrives on a specific day each month, depending on your birth date. The notice tells you which day. If you are also may have access to to Medicare, your coverage begins automatically in the month you are approved, though you may not receive your Medicare card for several weeks.
You are required to report certain changes to Social Security — for example, if you return to work, if your medical condition improves significantly, or if you move. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you will have to repay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a decision after you explore?
Initial decisions usually take three to six months, though some cases take longer if your medical records are complex or if Social Security needs more information from your doctors. The timeline varies based on how busy your local office is and how straightforward your case is.
Can you call Social Security to ask if your process was approved?
No. Social Security will not tell you your decision over the phone. You must wait for the written notice in the mail or check your my Social Security account online. Calling will not speed up the process.
What if you moved after you applied and did not get the notice?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and give them your new address. They can remail the notice or read it to you over the phone. If you changed your address with the post office, the notice may be forwarded automatically, but it is safer to contact Social Security directly.
Can you appeal a denial right away or do you have to wait?
You must wait until you receive the denial notice in the mail. Once you have it, you have 60 days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration. You cannot appeal before the notice arrives.
What if your approval notice says you owe back pay but you have not received it yet?
Back pay is processed separately from your regular monthly benefit and can take several weeks to arrive. If the notice says you are may have access to to back pay and you have not received it after six weeks, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about the status.