Confirmation of Your Application Submission

Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This notice confirms that your application has been received and is in the queue for review. If you applied online, you’ll receive an immediate confirmation, along with a reference number for your application.

Initial Review and Screening

After your application is submitted, the SSA will conduct an initial review to determine if you meet the basic eligibility criteria for Social Security Disability benefits. This includes verifying your:

• Work history: You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years (depending on your age).
• Income level: You cannot be earning substantial income from working while applying for SSD benefits (above the $1,470 per month threshold for non-blind individuals in 2025).

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, your application may be denied right away.

Medical Review

The next step is the medical review phase, where the SSA evaluates the severity of your condition and how it impacts your ability to work. This step is crucial, as your disability claim must meet the SSA’s definition of disability, which includes:

• Severe Condition: Your disability must significantly impair your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Expected Duration: Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Medical Evidence: The SSA will request and review your medical records, including doctor’s notes, lab results, and any treatments you’ve received. You’ll need to provide this evidence when you submit your application.

The SSA may also request an Independent Medical Examination (IME) if necessary to clarify details of your condition.

Decision on Your Claim

After the medical review, the SSA will make a decision about your claim. There are three possible outcomes:

• Approval: If the SSA determines that your disability meets its criteria, your claim will be approved, and you will begin receiving SSD benefits. You will receive a notice with the approval details and the amount of benefits you are entitled to.
• Denial: If your claim is denied, you will receive a notice explaining why. The most common reasons for denial include insufficient medical evidence or failure to meet the SSA’s disability criteria. If this happens, you can appeal the decision.
• Request for More Information: If the SSA needs more information, they will request additional medical records, forms, or other documents to proceed with your claim. Delays can occur if you don’t provide all the required information in a timely manner.

Appeals Process (If Denied)

If your claim is denied, don’t be discouraged. It’s common for SSD claims to be rejected at the initial stage. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process involves several steps:

• Request for Reconsideration: If your claim is denied, the first step is to request reconsideration. A different SSA reviewer will look at your case to determine if the initial decision was correct.
• Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If reconsideration doesn’t work, you can request a hearing before an ALJ, where you can present additional evidence and make your case in person.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request a review from the SSA’s Appeals Council. If the Appeals Council denies your case, you can then file a lawsuit in federal court.

Wait Times for a Decision

The process of receiving a decision on your Social Security Disability claim can take time. On average, you can expect a decision in three to five months after submitting your application. However, this timeline can vary based on:

• Case complexity: More complex cases may take longer due to the need for additional medical reviews or consultations.
• Workload of the SSA: Delays in processing or high volumes of claims can extend the decision time.

If you appeal a denial, the process can take much longer, often over a year or more before a final decision is made.

Payment of Benefits

If your claim is approved, your SSD benefits may not start immediately. You typically have to wait a five-month waiting period before your benefits begin. This waiting period starts from the established onset date of your disability. After this, you will begin receiving monthly benefits, which will be retroactive to the onset date of your disability, minus the waiting period.