You can file your Social Security Disability Insurance claim entirely online through Social Security's website
The fastest way to start your SSDI claim is through my Social Security, the official Social Security account portal. You create a free account, answer questions about your medical condition and work history, and submit your claim without visiting an office. The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready.
Social Security accepts online claims for SSDI and also for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program for people with lower income and resources. Both use the same online system. You do not need a lawyer to file — the form is straightforward — though some people find it helpful to have one review their answers before submission, especially if their case is complex.
Key Takeaways
- Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov, then start your claim under "explore for Benefits" — the whole filing takes 15 to 20 minutes.
- Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, and work history ready before you start, because the form asks for specific dates and details.
- After you submit, Social Security sends you a receipt number and tells you what documents to mail in next — you do not submit everything online.
- A disability lawyer can review your answers before you file and help you gather medical evidence, but you can file on your own without one.
- Processing takes three to six months on average, and Social Security will contact you by mail or phone if they need more information.
What you need before you start
Gather these documents before you open the online form. Social Security will ask for specific dates and details, and having them in front of you makes the process faster and more accurate.
You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency (a passport, green card, or visa). You will also need the names and dates of birth of any dependents, because they may be able to receive benefits on your record once you are approved.
Bring a list of every job you have held in the past 15 years, with the dates you started and stopped and the names of your employers. Social Security uses this to calculate how much you have paid into the system. You will also need the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the doctors and hospitals that have treated you for your condition — Social Security will contact them directly to request your medical records.
Creating your my Social Security account
Go to ssa.gov and look for the "my Social Security" sign-in box in the upper right corner of the page. Click "Create an account." You will need an email address and a password. Social Security will send you a verification link — check your email and click it to confirm.
Once your account is active, sign in and look for the section labeled "explore for Benefits." You will see options for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Click on "Disability" to begin your SSDI claim.
If you have trouble creating the account or signing in, you can call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for help. They can also mail you a paper form if you prefer not to file online, though the online process is usually faster.
Walking through the online form
The form asks you to describe your medical condition in your own words — what is wrong, when it started, and how it affects your ability to work. You do not need medical language or a diagnosis from a doctor at this stage. "My back hurts when I stand for more than 30 minutes" is a complete answer. Social Security will request your medical records separately and have a doctor review them.
The form also asks about your work history, your education, and any vocational training you have had. It asks whether you have tried to work since your condition started and, if so, what happened. Be honest about this — Social Security is trying to understand whether your condition prevents you from doing any kind of work, not just your old job.
You will be asked about your income and resources (money in the bank, property you own, vehicles). If you are filing for SSDI only, your income and resources do not matter — SSDI is based on your work history, not how much money you have. If you are also filing for SSI, these numbers determine whether you meet SSI's income limits.
What happens after you submit
When you click submit, Social Security generates a receipt number. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you call Social Security with questions about your claim. Social Security also sends you a confirmation email with the same number.
Within one to two weeks, Social Security mails you a letter listing the documents they need from you. This almost always includes medical records from your doctors. The letter tells you where to mail them or whether you can upload them to your my Social Security account. Do not wait for Social Security to request records — you can mail them in right away if you have them.
Social Security also sends you a form called an Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration. This gives Social Security permission to contact your doctors and hospitals directly. You sign it and mail it back. This speeds up the process because Social Security can request records without waiting for you to gather them.
How long the process takes
Initial processing usually takes three to six months. Social Security reviews your medical records, has a doctor examine them, and decides whether your condition meets their definition of disability. If they need more information, they contact you by mail or phone — this can add weeks to the timeline.
If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. Most people who are denied the first time are approved on appeal, especially if they have strong medical evidence. An appeal can take another three to six months, so the total time from filing to approval often stretches to a year or longer.
You can check the status of your claim anytime by signing into your my Social Security account and looking at your claim status. The page shows you what stage your claim is in and what documents Social Security is still waiting for.
When a disability lawyer helps with the online process
A disability lawyer cannot file the claim for you — only you can submit it through your my Social Security account — but a lawyer can help you prepare. They can review your answers before you submit, make sure you have described your condition clearly, and help you gather medical records from your doctors.
Lawyers are most useful if your case is complicated: if you have multiple conditions, if your doctors disagree about your limitations, or if you have already been denied once. For straightforward cases, many people file on their own without a lawyer's help.
If you decide to hire a lawyer, do it before you file. A lawyer who reviews your claim before submission can catch problems that might lead to a denial. If you file first and then hire a lawyer after a denial, the lawyer can still help you appeal, but they are working with less time to gather evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file online, or can I use a paper form?
You can request a paper form by calling 1-800-772-1213, but Social Security processes online claims faster. The online form also saves your progress if you need to stop and come back later, whereas a paper form has to be completed and mailed in one submission.
What if I do not have all my medical records yet?
File your claim now. Social Security will request your records directly from your doctors after you submit. Waiting to gather records yourself only delays your filing date, which affects when your benefits can start if you are approved.
Can my family member file the claim for me if I cannot use a computer?
A family member can help you fill out the form, but you have to be the one who creates the my Social Security account and submits the claim. If you do not have internet access, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a paper form, or visit your local Social Security office.
What if I made a mistake on my claim after I submitted it?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them what you need to correct. They can update your claim before it is reviewed. Do not submit a second claim — that creates confusion and delays processing.
Does filing online cost money?
No. Filing through my Social Security is free. If you are approved and hire a lawyer, the lawyer's fee comes from your back pay (the money owed from when your disability started), not from you upfront.