Disability & SSI/SSDI
The system is slow. Plan for that.
Most disability claims are denied at first. That's not the end — it's the beginning of a process most people eventually win. Here's how it actually works.
SSI and SSDI — what's the difference?
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for people who've worked and paid into Social Security. The amount is based on your work history. There's a five-month waiting period.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is for people with very low income and assets, regardless of work history. It includes children with disabilities. Maximum federal payment is around $943 a month for an individual (varies; some states add a supplement).
Many people qualify for both at once. The application is the same.
Today
Apply online at ssa.gov/apply — even if you're not sure you'll qualify. The clock starts the day you apply.
This week
Gather medical records from the last 12 months. List every doctor, specialist, hospital, and medication.
How to apply
Apply at ssa.gov/apply, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online application is easier for most people, but you can save and come back to it.
What you'll need
- Your Social Security number and proof of citizenship
- Medical records and a list of every doctor and hospital you've seen for your condition
- A list of medications
- Work history for the last 15 years (employer names, dates, what you did)
- Most recent W-2 or self-employment tax return
If you're denied (most people are)
About two out of three first-time applications are denied. Don't give up. Here's the appeals path:
1. Reconsideration
You have 60 days from the denial letter to request reconsideration. Most reconsiderations also get denied — but you have to file this step to get to the next one.
2. Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge
This is where most cases are won. You appear in front of a judge who reviews your file in detail. Wait times can be long (often 6–12 months) but the win rate is far higher than the first two steps. Get a lawyer or non-attorney representative for this stage — they only get paid if you win, and only out of your back pay.
3. Appeals Council
If you lose at the hearing, you can request review by the Appeals Council. After that, federal court.
While you wait
Apply for everything else: SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, local emergency funds, food banks. None of those reduce your eventual disability award. If you have minor children, they may qualify for SSI in their own right.
Working while on disability
You can earn some money without losing benefits. The threshold for SSDI in 2026 is around $1,620 a month gross (or $2,700 if you're blind). Social Security has Trial Work Periods designed to let you test going back to work. Don't guess — call the Ticket to Work line at 1-866-968-7842 before you start working.
Where to get help
Read this next
→ What "denied" really means on a disability application — and how to fight it