If you cannot work because of a disability, you can apply for benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help you. This section has information about the two programs and how you may qualify for disability benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked before but cannot now because of a disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people who have not worked much or at all because of a disability.
Both SSDI and SSI give you money if you cannot work because of a disability. SSDI is based on your work history, while SSI is based on need and does not require a work history. SSDI does not have income or resource limits, but SSI does.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says you have a disability if you cannot do “substantial gainful activity”, or SGA.
SGA is a monthly amount of money you can earn. If you earn more than the amount set by SSA, they say you do not have a disability.
Your disability can be physical, mental, or both. SSA looks at your medical records and treatment history to see if you cannot work because of your condition. They decide if you cannot earn SGA because of your disability.
SSA can change the SGA amount each year, so be sure to check before considering your eligibility.
SSDI is a federal program that gives you money if you have worked before but cannot work now because of a disability. SSDI is for people with a long enough or recent work history. If you qualify, your dependents (like your children) might also get money.
To receive SSDI, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen and:
When you apply for SSDI, you need to give SSA some basic information about yourself, like your Social Security number, place of birth, and names of current and former spouses. You also need to tell them about your recent jobs, including dates and employers’ names.
You should also tell SSA about your medical conditions and treatment history. This includes the names and addresses of your doctors, dates and places of hospital stays, a list of medications you take, and dates of medical tests.
You will need to sign a form to let SSA get your medical records. You can also give them copies of your records when you apply.
SSI is a federal program that pays a monthly cash benefit to people who cannot work due to a disability, are blind, or are aged 65 and older. SSI is for people with disabilities who have low income and few resources.
To receive SSI, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen and:
When you apply for SSI, you need to give SSA some basic information about yourself, like your Social Security number, place of birth, and names of current and former spouses.
You should also tell SSA about your medical conditions and treatment history. This includes the names and addresses of your doctors, dates and places of hospital stays, a list of medications you take, and dates of medical tests. You will need to sign a form to let SSA get your medical records. You can also give them copies of your records when you apply.
If you apply for SSI, you will also need to give SSA information about your finances, like your income and any assets you own (home, vehicles, bank accounts).
You can apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration:
It can take several months for SSA to decide if you get disability benefits. You can check your application or appeal status online or by calling (800) 772-1213 or (800) 325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits can be complicated. You may want to get an attorney or advocate to help you if your application for disability benefits is denied, your benefits stop, or if the amount of your disability benefits changes.
If SSA denies your application, you can appeal. SSA will mail you a notice. You have 60 days from when you get the notice to appeal.
SSA assumes you get the notice 5 days after they send it, so you have 65 days from the date on the notice to appeal.
To appeal, you need to send SSA a Request for Reconsideration. This means SSA will review their decision and any new medical evidence you send.
You can send the form online, by mail, fax, or in person at your local SSA office.
If SSA denies your application again after the reconsideration, they will send you another denial notice. You have another 65 days to appeal using forms provided on the SSA website.
This time, your appeal will go to a hearing with a Social Security judge, also called an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
At your hearing, you can have an attorney or advocate help you.
They can provide more evidence, explain your medical condition, and question any experts SSA brings. The SSA website has more information about administrative hearings.
After your hearing, the ALJ will mail you a decision.
If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you can ask the SSA Appeals Council to review it. You have another 65 days to appeal to the Appeals Council after the ALJ decision. The Appeals Council will review the hearing record and evidence. They can:
Agree with the ALJ and deny your appeal (affirm).
Overturn the ALJ’s decision and approve your benefits.
Send your case back to the ALJ for a new hearing (remand).
If the Appeals Council agrees with the denial, you have 65 days to appeal. To appeal an Appeals Council decision, you must file a court action in federal district court.
If you get SSI or SSDI benefits, SSA will review your case sometimes to see if you still qualify. If SSA decides you no longer have a disability or are not eligible for benefits, they will send you a Notice of Disability Cessation. You can appeal against this decision. The appeal process is the same as when you first applied.
If SSA stops your benefits, you can ask for “continuing benefits” while you appeal.
This means you can keep getting your monthly benefits and health care during the appeal. To continue getting benefits, you must appeal within 10 days of the notice.
If you lose the appeal, you may have to pay back the benefits you received during the appeal.
This topic can be complicated. You may want to talk to a legal professional for help.
This website shares general legal information. Some content may be simplified or may not reflect recent changes in law. If you need advice for your specific situation, you should talk to a legal professional.
This content was last updated on Oct 1, 2025.
