Where to File Your Disability Claim in California
You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the federal Social Security Administration, not through a California state office. The SSA runs both programs nationwide, though California has its own rules about what counts as income and resources if you are also receiving SSI.
You have three ways to file: 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. Most people in California start online or by phone because the wait time at field offices is often several weeks. If you file online, you can save your process and return to it later — you do not have to finish in one sitting.
The online process takes 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready. The phone process takes longer because the representative reads questions aloud, but you can ask them to repeat or explain anything. If you go to an office, bring all your documents with you and arrive early; offices open at 9 a.m. and often reach capacity by mid-morning.
Key Takeaways
- File through the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a local office — not through any California state agency.
- You need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment history.
- The SSA will ask for names and dates of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you in the past 12 months.
- After you file, the SSA sends your case to the Disability information Services office in Sacramento, which makes the approval or denial decision within 30 to 90 days.
- If you are denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and if denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Documents You Need Before You File
Gather these documents before you start your process. Having them ready cuts the filing time in half and prevents delays later.
Identity and citizenship: Your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Acceptable citizenship proof includes a passport, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card. If you do not have a birth certificate, the SSA can help you order one, but this adds time to your case.
Medical records: The names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider who has treated you in the past 12 months. Include the dates you saw each provider and what you were treated for. The SSA will contact them directly to request your medical records, so accuracy matters — if you give a wrong phone number, the SSA may not be able to reach that provider and your case will stall.
Work history: The names and addresses of employers you worked for in the past 15 years, the dates you worked there, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years. If you receive workers' compensation or are in a vocational rehabilitation program, bring documentation of that as well.
What Happens After You File
Once you submit your process, the SSA sends it to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Sacramento. DDS is a state agency that works under contract with the SSA to review medical evidence and make the approval or denial decision. You will not hear from DDS directly — all communication comes from the SSA.
The SSA will contact your doctors and hospitals to request your medical records. This process usually takes 20 to 40 days. If a provider is slow to respond, the SSA may send a follow-up request or ask you to help obtain the records. You can speed this up by calling your providers yourself and asking them to send records directly to the SSA; give them your case number, which appears in your award notice or any letter from the SSA.
DDS reviews the medical evidence and decides whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability — meaning you cannot work for at least 12 months due to a medical condition. The decision usually comes 30 to 90 days after DDS receives all your medical records. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining the decision. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month.
The Difference Between SSDI and SSI in California
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years — usually at least five of the past ten years, though the exact requirement depends on your age. There is no income or resource limit; you can have savings, own a home, or receive other income and still get SSDI. Your benefit amount is based on your lifetime earnings record.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with low income and few resources. You can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources (this limit does not change often, but verify it with the SSA). Your home and one vehicle do not count toward the limit. Your benefit amount is set by the SSA and does not depend on your work history. In California, the SSA adds a state supplement to the federal SSI payment, so your total benefit is higher than in most other states.
You can file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. If you have worked enough to may have access to for SSDI but your SSDI benefit is low, you may also receive SSI to bring your total income up to the state limit. The SSA will determine which programs you may have access to for based on your work history and current income and resources.
If You Are Denied: Reconsideration and Appeals
If the SSA denies your claim, you have the right to request reconsideration. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. To request reconsideration, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visit your local office, or submit Form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) online.
Reconsideration means a different examiner at DDS reviews your case from the beginning. You can submit new medical evidence, new statements from your doctors, or additional information about your condition. Many people are approved on reconsideration because they have gathered more recent medical records or clearer documentation of how their condition affects their ability to work.
If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is a formal proceeding where you can present evidence and testify about your condition. You have 60 days from the second denial to request a hearing. Many people hire a disability representative or attorney at this stage; they are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you filed to the date you are approved).
Working With a Representative or Attorney
You can have someone represent you at any stage of your claim — filing, reconsideration, or hearing. This person can be a family member, a disability representative, or an attorney. If you use a representative or attorney, they must be accredited by the SSA. You can search for accredited representatives on the SSA website or contact a local legal aid office.
Representatives and attorneys cannot charge you upfront. Their fee comes from your back pay only if you win. The fee is limited to 25 percent of back pay or $6,000, whichever is less. Before you hire someone, ask them to explain their fee in writing and confirm they are accredited by the SSA.
Many people represent themselves successfully, especially at the initial filing stage. If your case is straightforward — you have clear medical evidence and recent treatment records — you may not need a representative. If your case is complex, you have been denied once, or you are preparing for a hearing, a representative can significantly improve your chances.
Timeline and What to Expect
| Stage | Typical Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| File your claim | 1 day | You submit your process online, by phone, or in person. You receive a confirmation number. |
| SSA requests medical records | 5 to 10 days | The SSA contacts your doctors and hospitals. You may receive a letter asking you to help obtain records. |
| Providers send records | 20 to 40 days | Your doctors and hospitals respond to the SSA's request. Slow providers can delay this step. |
| DDS reviews your case | 30 to 90 days | The Sacramento DDS office reviews all medical evidence and makes an approval or denial decision. |
| You receive a decision letter | 1 to 2 weeks after DDS decides | The SSA mails you a letter explaining the decision and your next steps if denied. |
| Reconsideration (if denied) | 30 to 90 days | A different examiner reviews your case. You can submit new evidence. |
| Hearing (if denied again) | 60 to 120 days | An administrative law judge holds a hearing. You can testify and present evidence. |
The total time from filing to approval ranges from 3 to 6 months if you are approved at the initial stage, or 1 to 2 years if you go through reconsideration and a hearing. The timeline depends on how quickly your doctors respond, how complex your medical condition is, and how busy the DDS office and hearing office are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for disability while I am still working?
Yes. You can work and earn income while your claim is being reviewed. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), the SSA may determine you are not disabled because you are able to work. The SSA looks at whether you can do substantial gainful activity, which is defined by your earnings level. Part-time work or low earnings do not disqualify you.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
File anyway. The SSA will request your records directly from your doctors and hospitals. If you have not seen a doctor recently, the SSA may deny your claim because there is not enough current medical evidence. In that case, you can request reconsideration and submit new medical records from a recent visit. It is better to see a doctor and then file, or file and then see a doctor and submit the new records during reconsideration.
How much will I receive each month?
SSDI payments vary based on your work history and lifetime earnings. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but yours could be higher or lower. SSI payments in California are higher than the federal base amount because California adds a state supplement. The SSA will tell you the exact amount in your approval letter.
Can I work after I am approved for disability?
Yes, through a program called Ticket to Work. You can earn up to a certain amount without losing your benefits. The limit changes each year. If you earn more than the limit, your benefits may be reduced or stopped. Tell the SSA if you start working so they can explain how your benefits will be affected.
What if I move out of California?
Your SSDI benefits follow you — they are federal and work in any state. If you receive SSI, moving to another state may change your benefit amount because each state sets its own supplement. Contact the SSA before you move to find out how your benefits will change.