The First Step: Choosing Your process Route
Social Security handles disability benefits through two separate programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Which one you use depends on your work history and current income, not on how severe your condition is. SSDI is based on your own work record or a family member's work record. SSI is a need-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
You can explore for one program, both programs at the same time, or neither—it depends on your situation. Most people with a recent work history use SSDI. People with little or no work history, or very low income, often use SSI. Some people may have access to for both and receive payments from both programs.
You do not have to figure this out alone before you explore. Social Security staff can help you determine which program fits your situation during the process itself. But knowing the difference helps you understand what documents you will need and what happens next.
Key Takeaways
- You can start an process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
- You will need to report your medical condition, work history, and current income; Social Security will request medical records directly from your doctors.
- The process itself takes 15 to 45 minutes, but the full decision process takes three to six months on average.
- You can work while your process is being reviewed, and you can continue to receive some income without losing your place in the queue.
- If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with help from a representative win on the second or third try.
Where and How to Submit Your process
Social Security offers three ways to start: online, by phone, or in person. Online is the fastest route if you have a my Social Security account. You can begin at ssa.gov/applyfordisability and finish in one sitting, though you can save your work and return later. The online form walks you through questions about your medical history, work, and income step by step.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers). Wait times are shortest early in the morning and on Tuesdays through Thursdays. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and can answer questions as you go. The call usually takes 20 to 45 minutes.
You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment, though you may wait. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator. In-person applications are useful if you need help reading or writing, or if you want to bring documents with you to show the representative.
Documents You Will Need Before You Start
Have these items ready before you begin, whether you explore online, by phone, or in person. You do not need originals—copies work, and Social Security can request records from your doctors directly if you do not have them.
| Document Type | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Social Security card or number | Required to start any process |
| Birth certificate | Proof of age and citizenship |
| List of doctors and hospitals you have visited in the past three years | Social Security uses this to request your medical records |
| List of medications you currently take | Helps Social Security understand your condition |
| W-2 forms or tax returns from the past two years | Proves your work history and income for SSDI |
| Pay stubs or bank statements | Shows current income for SSI or SSDI work incentives |
| Proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID) | Required for non-citizens |
If you do not have all of these, you can still start your process. Social Security will tell you what is missing and ask you to send it later. Starting now is better than waiting until you have everything.
What Happens During the process Interview
Whether you explore online, by phone, or in person, you will answer questions in this order: your personal information (name, address, Social Security number), your medical condition and when it started, your doctors and hospitals, your work history for the past 15 years, your current income and resources, and whether you have ever filed for disability before.
The medical questions are the most important. Social Security will ask when your condition began, what symptoms you have, what treatments you have tried, and how your condition affects your ability to work. Be specific: instead of "I have back pain," say "I have a herniated disc in my lower back that causes sharp pain when I stand for more than 20 minutes." The more detail you give, the clearer the picture Social Security has when it reviews your medical records.
You do not need a diagnosis to explore. If you have not been diagnosed yet, tell Social Security what symptoms you have and which doctors you have seen. Social Security will request records from those doctors, and the doctors' notes will help establish what is wrong.
At the end of the interview, Social Security will tell you what happens next: they will request your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you named, and they will send you a notice in the mail telling you the date your process was received. Keep that notice—it proves when you filed.
The Timeline From process to Decision
After you submit your process, Social Security sends your case to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. DDS is a separate agency that reviews medical evidence and makes the initial decision. This process takes an average of three to six months, though some cases move faster and some take longer.
During this time, Social Security will request medical records from every doctor and hospital you named. Your doctors have up to two weeks to send records, but many take longer. If a doctor does not respond, Social Security may send a second request or schedule a medical exam with a doctor Social Security pays.
You can check the status of your process online at ssa.gov/myaccount if you have a my Social Security account, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will not call you to ask for information—if someone calls claiming to be from Social Security and asking for personal details, it is a scam.
When DDS makes a decision, Social Security mails you a notice. The notice will say whether you were approved or denied, and it will explain why. If you were approved, the notice will tell you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you were denied, the notice will explain which medical evidence did not support your claim and tell you how to appeal.
What You Can Do While Your process Is Being Reviewed
You can work while waiting for a decision. Your income does not affect whether you are approved, though it may affect how much you receive if you are approved for SSI (SSDI has no income limit). If you are approved for SSDI, you can earn up to a certain amount each month without losing benefits—this is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, and it changes each year. In 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month, but check ssa.gov for the current year's amount.
You can also continue medical treatment, start new treatments, or see new doctors. In fact, continuing to see your doctors and following their treatment recommendations strengthens your case. Social Security looks at whether you are actively seeking treatment and following medical information.
If your condition changes or worsens while your process is pending, tell Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to update your case file. New medical evidence can help your case move faster or improve your chances of approval.
What Happens If Your process Is Denied
If Social Security denies your claim, you have four levels of appeal. The first level is called Reconsideration, and you must request it within 60 days of the denial notice. At Reconsideration, a different examiner reviews your case and all the medical evidence again. About 10 to 15 percent of cases are approved at Reconsideration.
If Reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where most people win. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence, testify about how your condition affects your daily life, and have a representative (lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) argue on your behalf. About 40 to 50 percent of cases are approved at the hearing level.
You do not need a lawyer to appeal, but having one increases your chances significantly. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent, capped at $6,000) only if you win. You can find a lawyer through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or ask your local legal aid office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore if I am still working?
Yes. Your current work does not disqualify you. Social Security looks at whether you can do any work, not whether you are currently working. If you are working but your condition prevents you from working full-time or earning above the SGA limit, you can still explore.
Do I need a lawyer to explore?
No. You can explore on your own and represent yourself through the entire process. However, having a representative (lawyer or advocate) increases your chances of approval, especially if your case is denied and you appeal. Most people hire a representative only after a denial.
What if I do not have medical records from my doctors?
Social Security will request them for you. During your process, you provide the names and addresses of your doctors and hospitals. Social Security sends requests directly to those providers. If a provider does not respond, Social Security may schedule a medical exam with a doctor they pay.
How much will I receive each month if I am approved?
SSDI payments are based on your work history and earnings record, not on how severe your condition is. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be higher or lower. SSI payments are based on your income and resources and are capped at a federal maximum (around $943 per month in 2024, though some states add more). Social Security will tell you the exact amount in your approval notice.
Can I explore for my child or a family member?
You can explore for a child under 18 (or 19 if in high school) based on your own work record if you are retired, disabled, or deceased. You cannot explore for an adult family member. Adults must explore for themselves, though you can help them gather documents and submit the process.