Learn About Social Security Disability Application Steps

Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI

Social Security offers two main disability programs for people who cannot work due to a medical condition. The first is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid. If you have worked and paid into Social Security, you may have built up credits that could support an SSDI claim. The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.

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SSDI and SSI operate under the same medical standards, but they differ in important ways. With SSDI, your benefit amount is based on your previous earnings record. With SSI, the benefit amount is set by the federal government and does not change based on what you earned before. SSI also includes resource limits—you cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual, or $3,000 as a married couple, as of 2024. SSDI has no resource limits.

Both programs require that you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration uses the term "disability" in a specific legal way that is often stricter than how doctors or other organizations use the term. Many people who consider themselves disabled may not meet Social Security's definition.

Understanding which program might apply to your situation is the first step in learning about the process. Many people qualify for one program but not the other, depending on their work history and financial situation. Some people may be found to have a condition that meets Social Security's standards but might not be found to have one that prevents substantial work activity under Social Security rules.

Takeaway: Learn whether your situation might fit SSDI (work-based) or SSI (needs-based) by reviewing the basic differences in how each program works and what requirements each has.

Medical Requirements and How Social Security Evaluates Disabilities

To be found to have a disability under Social Security rules, your medical condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity. As of 2024, substantial gainful activity means earning more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 for blind individuals). This is a specific legal threshold, not a general measure of how much your condition limits you.

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Social Security uses a five-step process to evaluate whether your condition meets their standards. First, they check whether you are currently working and earning above the substantial gainful activity level. If you are, you will typically be found not disabled. Second, they determine whether your condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to work. Third, they check whether your condition matches one on Social Security's List of Impairments. This list includes hundreds of medical conditions with specific medical findings required for each.

The remaining steps involve looking at your residual functional capacity—what you can still do despite your medical condition—and whether that capacity allows you to do your past work or other work. These last steps are complex and involve consideration of your age, education, work experience, and the types of work available in the economy.

Social Security will request medical evidence from your doctors, hospitals, and any specialists who have treated you. They may also send you to a doctor they select for an examination. The medical evidence must show objective findings—things that can be tested or observed—not just your complaints about pain or limitations. For conditions like back pain or fibromyalgia, which do not always have clear objective tests, the decision can be difficult and may depend heavily on your treating doctor's notes.

Common disabilities found to meet Social Security standards include serious heart conditions, terminal cancer, severe lung disease, advanced arthritis with documented joint damage, and severe mental health conditions with ongoing treatment and functional limitations. However, having a diagnosis does not automatically mean you will be found disabled. The severity and impact on your ability to work matter.

Takeaway: Gather detailed medical records from your doctors and understand that Social Security has specific standards for what counts as a disability. Medical evidence showing how your condition limits your work activities is more important than the diagnosis itself.

The Initial Application Process and What to Prepare

To begin the process of seeking SSDI or SSI, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration. You can do this by visiting your local Social Security office in person, calling 1-800-772-1213, or using the online portal at ssa.gov. Each method has advantages. Calling or visiting in person allows you to speak with someone directly. The online portal lets you start the process on your own schedule.

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Before you contact Social Security, gather key documents and information. You will need your original birth certificate or a certified copy, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status, your Social Security card, and a photo ID. For SSDI claims, bring your work history for the past 15 years, including the names and dates of employment for each job. For SSI claims, you will need to show information about your income and resources, including bank statements and proof of any money you receive.

You will also need to provide medical information. Start by making a list of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers who have treated you. Include their names, addresses, phone numbers, and the dates you visited. Write down all medical conditions you have been diagnosed with, all medications you take with dosages, and any hospitalizations or surgeries. This list will help you during the application interview and will be needed later when Social Security requests your medical records.

The application itself asks about your medical condition, work history, education, daily activities, and how your condition affects your ability to work. Be thorough when describing your limitations. For example, instead of saying "my back hurts," explain that you cannot sit for more than 30 minutes, cannot lift more than 10 pounds, and must lie down for two hours in the afternoon. These specific details matter to the decision maker.

Keep copies of everything you submit. If documents get lost, you will have copies to resubmit. Note the date you submit your materials and the names of any staff members you work with. This information can be helpful later if you need to follow up on your claim.

Takeaway: Organize your medical records, work history, and financial information before contacting Social Security. Write detailed descriptions of how your medical conditions affect your daily life and ability to work, not just the conditions themselves.

The Decision Timeline and Initial Claim Outcomes

After you submit your initial application, the Social Security Administration will send you a notice acknowledging receipt. They will typically make a decision on your initial claim within 3 to 6 months, though this varies by state and case complexity. Some cases take longer if additional medical evidence is needed or if there are complications with your work history.

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There are several possible outcomes to your initial claim. You may be found to have a disability that meets Social Security standards and receive approval. This means you will begin receiving monthly payments and, for SSDI recipients, healthcare coverage through Medicare after 24 months. You may be denied—found not to have a disability under Social Security's standards. You may be found to have a condition that will improve and be given a "medical improvement expected" status, meaning you will have benefits for a set period and then be reviewed. Or you may be found to have a severe condition but not one that meets Social Security's standards, with a determination that you could do some type of work.

The notice you receive will explain the reason for the decision. If you are denied, the notice will state which step of the five-step process you did not meet. For example, it might say your condition is not severe, does not match the List of Impairments, or does not prevent you from doing other work. Understanding the specific reason matters because it affects what information you might submit later.

During this waiting period, you should continue treating with your doctors and following their recommendations. Going to your appointments and following prescribed treatment is important for two reasons. First, it provides recent medical evidence if Social Security requests it. Second, failure to follow treatment can be used as a reason to deny your claim, based on the theory that if treatment could help you work, you should pursue it.

If you are approved, Social Security will tell you when your benefits will begin. There is a five-month waiting period for SSDI—your first payment comes six months after your disability began. For SSI, benefits can begin in the month you apply. Ask Social Security how much your monthly benefit will be and when to expect your first payment.