The Basic Steps to File for SSDI or SSI

You can file for Social Security disability benefits in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your medical records and work history ready. You do not need a lawyer to file, though some people hire one after a denial.

Social Security has two separate disability programs. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work record or, if you are under 22, your parent's work record. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with low income and resources, regardless of work history. The medical requirements are the same for both, but the financial rules are different. You may file for one, both, or be found to meet the rules for one but not the other.

Filing does not cost anything. Social Security does not charge a fee to submit your process. If you later hire a representative, they can charge up to 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you filed to the date you were approved), capped at $7,200 as of 2024, but only if Social Security approves the fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file online, by phone, or at your local Social Security office, and the process is free whether you are approved or denied.
  • SSDI is based on your work record; SSI is based on income and resources, and you may meet the rules for one program but not the other.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, and a list of doctors and hospitals you have visited since your condition began.
  • Social Security typically takes three to five months to make a decision, and most first applications are denied; you can request reconsideration or a hearing if yours is.
  • You can work and earn money while your case is pending, and certain work incentives allow you to continue earning after approval without losing all your benefits.

What Documents and Information You Will Need

Gather these items before you start your process. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and citizenship or immigration status. Have your birth certificate, driver's license or state ID, and proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization papers, or state-issued ID) ready. If you are filing for SSI, you will also need proof of income and resources—bank statements, pay stubs, property deeds, or vehicle titles.

Bring a complete list of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers you have seen since your condition began. Include the name of each provider, the address, phone number, and the dates you were treated there. Social Security will contact them directly to request your medical records, so accuracy matters. If you have already collected your own records, you can upload them during the online process or bring them to your local office.

Have your work history ready, including the names and dates of your last 15 jobs, your job titles, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the last two years. For SSDI, Social Security will verify your earnings through its own records, but having this information on hand speeds up the process.

Filing Online Through My Social Security

Go to ssa.gov and click "Create My Social Security Account" if you do not already have one. You will need an email address and a phone number. Social Security will send you a verification code. Once your account is set up, log in and select "explore for Retirement, Family, or Disability Benefits." Choose the type of benefit you want to file for—in this case, disability.

The online form asks about your medical condition, when it began, and how it affects your ability to work. Answer as completely as you can. You will be asked to list your doctors and hospitals; Social Security will request records from them after you submit. You can upload documents directly in the process, or you can let Social Security request them. Uploading your own records can speed things up, but it is not required.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down. Social Security will mail you a receipt notice within two weeks. If you do not receive one, call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your process was received.

Filing by Phone or In Person

Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and can help you gather information if you are not sure how to answer. The call usually takes 30 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. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require you to call ahead for an appointment. Bring all your documents with you. An employee will help you complete the process and can answer questions about what Social Security needs from your doctors.

Whether you file by phone or in person, Social Security will mail you a receipt notice confirming your process was received. Keep this notice; it shows the date you filed, which matters for calculating back pay if you are approved.

What Happens After You File

Social Security sends your process to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. This office is staffed by disability examiners and medical consultants who review your medical records and decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. The process typically takes three to five months, though it can take longer if your case is complex or if Social Security needs more medical evidence.

You will receive a letter in the mail with the decision. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration or a hearing. Do not assume a denial is final; most people who appeal are eventually approved.

While you are waiting, you can work and earn money. There is no limit on how much you can earn while your case is pending. If you are approved, you will enter a trial work period that lets you earn up to a certain amount (in 2024, $1,550 per month) without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop if your earnings exceed the limit, but you may be able to restart them if your earnings drop again.

If Your process Is Denied

About 65 to 70 percent of first applications are denied. A denial does not mean you are not disabled; it means Social Security decided your medical records did not show that your condition meets its specific rules. You have the right to challenge the decision in four stages: reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, an appeal to the Appeals Council, and federal court.

You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. You can do this online, by phone, or at your local office. Reconsideration sends your case to a different examiner at DDS. Most reconsideration requests are also denied, but some people are approved at this stage, especially if they have new medical evidence.

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most people who eventually win their cases succeed. A judge will review your medical records, your testimony, and testimony from a medical or vocational informed. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. The hearing usually happens within 75 to 120 days of your request, though wait times vary by region.

Working With a Representative

You can hire a lawyer, a non-lawyer representative, or a disability advocate to help with your case. Representatives can help you gather medical evidence, prepare for a hearing, and communicate with Social Security. They cannot charge you anything unless Social Security approves a fee, and they can only charge a fee if you win your case and receive back pay.

If you hire a representative, Social Security will deduct their fee directly from your back pay before sending you the money. The fee is limited to 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less (as of 2024). Some representatives work for nonprofits and charge lower fees or no fee at all. You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or by asking your local legal aid office.

You do not need a representative to file or to win your case. Many people are approved without one. But if your case is denied and you are planning to appeal, having help increases your chances of success at a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability if I am still working?

Yes. You can file while you are working, and you can continue to work and earn money while your case is pending. There is no income limit while you are waiting for a decision. If you are approved, you enter a trial work period that lets you earn up to a set amount each month without losing benefits.

How long does it take to hear back after I file?

Most decisions take three to five months. Some cases take longer if Social Security needs more medical records or if your condition is complex. You can check the status of your process anytime by logging into your My Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

What if I do not have recent medical records?

Social Security will request records from your doctors and hospitals after you file. If you have not seen a doctor in a while, you should see one before or shortly after filing. Social Security needs current medical evidence to approve your case. If you cannot afford a doctor, ask about free or low-cost clinics in your area.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file and be approved without a lawyer. Many people represent themselves successfully. A lawyer or representative can be helpful if your case is denied and you are appealing, especially at the hearing stage, but it is not required.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is based on your work record or your parent's work record. SSI is based on income and resources, not work history. You may meet the medical rules for disability but not have enough work credits for SSDI, or you may have too much income or resources for SSI. Social Security will tell you which program you may have access to for when it makes a decision.