What happens when you file for SSDI

When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance, you are asking the Social Security Administration to review your medical records and work history to decide whether you meet their definition of disabled. The process takes time — most decisions come back in three to five months, though some take longer. You will need to provide detailed information about your condition, your doctors, your medications, and your work history going back 15 years.

Social Security does not make a quick yes-or-no decision based on a checklist. Instead, a claims examiner and a medical consultant review everything you submit and everything in your medical file. They are looking for evidence that your condition prevents you from doing any kind of work, not just your old job. If they say no, you have the right to appeal, and most people who appeal with a lawyer's help eventually win.

You can file online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually fastest because you can work at your own pace and save your progress. The Social Security website at ssa.gov has a tool called "iClaim" that walks you through the questions step by step.

Key Takeaways

  • You can start your SSDI claim online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office — online is usually the fastest option.
  • Social Security will ask for your medical records, a list of all your doctors and hospitals, your medications, and details about your work history for the past 15 years.
  • The decision usually takes three to five months, but you can check the status of your claim online using your my Social Security account.
  • If Social Security says no, you can appeal within 60 days, and working with a disability lawyer at that stage significantly increases your chances of winning on appeal.

Filing online through your my Social Security account

The fastest way to file is through the my Social Security website at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one. You can use a username and password, or you can use your email address and a one-time code sent to your phone.

Once you are logged in, look for the option to "explore for Disability." The form will ask you questions about your medical condition, when it started, which doctors you see, what medications you take, and your work history. You do not have to fill it all out in one sitting — you can save your progress and come back later. When you are done, you will get a confirmation number and a receipt you should save.

After you submit, Social Security will send you a letter in the mail with your case number and the name of the claims examiner assigned to your case. Keep that letter. You will use the case number if you need to call or visit an office to ask questions.

Filing by phone or in person

If you do not want to file online, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and a list of your doctors ready when you call. The representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and will file your claim over the phone.

You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment, though you may wait several hours. To find your nearest office, go to ssa.gov/locator and enter your zip code. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times is worth doing.

No matter which way you file, you will receive the same form — the process for Disability Insurance Benefits, also called the SSA-16. You do not have to worry about filling it out yourself if you file by phone or in person; the representative does it for you.

Gathering your medical records before you file

Social Security will request your medical records from your doctors, but the process moves faster if you gather them yourself first. Start by making a list of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider you have seen in the past five years. Include their names, phone numbers, and the dates you were treated there.

Call each office and ask for your medical records. Some will mail them to you for free; others charge a small copying fee. Ask them to include notes from your visits, test results, imaging reports, and any diagnoses. If you have had surgery, ask for the operative report and discharge summary. If you take medications, ask for a list of what you are currently taking and what you have taken in the past.

You do not have to submit these records yourself — Social Security will request them directly from your providers. But having them on hand means you can review them for accuracy and catch any missing information before Social Security does. If a record is incomplete or outdated, you can ask your doctor to add notes about your current condition.

What Social Security needs from your work history

Social Security will ask you to list every job you have held in the past 15 years, including self-employment. For each job, write down the job title, the name of the company, the dates you worked there, how many hours per week you worked, and what your main duties were. If you worked part-time or had multiple jobs at the same time, list each one separately.

You will also need to report how much you earned in each job. If you do not remember exact amounts, your tax returns or W-2 forms can help. Social Security uses this information to decide whether you were working at what they call "substantial gainful activity" — which means earning more than a certain amount per month. In 2024, that amount is $1,550 per month, but it changes each year.

If you have not worked recently because of your condition, that is important information too. Write down when you stopped working and why. Social Security wants to know whether your condition forced you to leave work or whether you left for other reasons.

Checking the status of your claim

After you file, you can check on your claim without calling or visiting an office. Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount and look for "Check Your process Status." The page will tell you whether Social Security has received your claim, whether they are still reviewing it, and whether they have made a decision.

Social Security may send you a letter asking for more information — this is normal and does not mean your claim is in trouble. The letter will explain what they need and give you a important date to respond, usually 10 days. If you miss the important date, you can still send the information, but it is better to respond on time.

You can also call your claims examiner directly if you have questions. The phone number will be in the letter Social Security sent you when you filed. Do not call the main 1-800 number and expect to reach your examiner — call the number in your letter instead.

What to do if Social Security says no

If Social Security denies your claim, you will receive a letter explaining why. Read it carefully — it will tell you the specific reason they said no, which is important information for an appeal. Common reasons include "your condition is not severe enough," "you can still do other work," or "we do not have enough medical evidence."

You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. The first step is called "reconsideration," which means a different claims examiner will review your case from the beginning. You can submit new medical records, new statements from your doctors, or new information about your work history. Many people win on reconsideration if they provide stronger medical evidence.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most people who eventually win their case succeed. At a hearing, you can testify about your condition, your doctors can testify, and you have the chance to explain why you cannot work. Working with a disability lawyer at this stage makes a real difference — lawyers who handle SSDI cases know what evidence judges want to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hear back from Social Security?

Most initial decisions come back in three to five months, but some cases take longer if Social Security needs to request additional medical records or if your case is more complex. You can check your status anytime through your my Social Security account.

Do I need a lawyer to file for SSDI?

You do not need a lawyer to file your initial claim. However, if Social Security denies you and you appeal, working with a lawyer who handles disability cases significantly increases your chances of winning. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and they take a percentage of your back pay.

Can I work while my SSDI claim is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not hurt your claim as long as you are not earning more than $1,550 per month (the amount changes yearly). If you are earning more than that, Social Security may decide you are not disabled. Tell Social Security about any work you do when you file.

What if I do not have medical records from the past few years?

Tell Social Security in your process that you have not seen a doctor recently. They will ask why — whether it is because you cannot afford it, you do not have insurance, or another reason. If your condition is severe, you may still win even without recent records, but it is harder. Consider seeing a doctor before you file if you can.

Can I file for SSDI if I am still working?

Yes, but only if you are earning less than $1,550 per month. If you are earning more than that, Social Security will likely deny your claim because they will say you are capable of substantial work. If your earnings are close to that limit, talk to a Social Security representative before you file.