Checking the Status of a Social Security Disability Claim

The disability determination process moves slowly, but if you haven't heard anything in several months, you should check the status of your claim. Keeping on top of your case avoids unnecessary delays. For example, the Social Security Administration (SSA) might ask you for more medical records or other information before it makes a decision. If you haven't provided this material—perhaps because you didn't receive the request—your case development could be put on hold.

Checking the status of your case will also let you know if the SSA has made an error handling your claim, like misplacing your appeal request or your doctor's opinion letter. While many of the forms are submitted electronically, you should always keep a backup copy of anything you submit by mail in case the agency loses your paperwork.

How Can I Check the Status of My Social Security Disability Claim?

If you just want to do a quick status check to make sure the SSA has your claim and is working on it, you can do so online or over the phone. You'll need to have a My Social Security account to check your status online, which takes around ten minutes to fully set up.

Check Your Social Security Disability Status Online

You can check the status of your disability case online using Social Security's web portal. If you haven't yet created a "My Social Security" account, you'll need to set that up first by entering your email address, language preference, and clicking on the terms of use agreement.

You'll then need to confirm your email address by clicking on the button or link sent to you from login.gov.

Once you've confirmed your email, you'll be asked to create a strong password to securely protect your confidential information.

You'll then need to set up another layer of protection, called "multi-factor authentication." This means that in addition to your password, you'll need to choose another method Social Security can use to make sure that really it's you who's accessing your account.

A popular option is to have a secure code texted to your phone whenever you sign in. Feel free to pick any one or more of the above options that best suits your needs.

After you've created your My Social Security account and logged in with your password and second authentication factor, you'll still need to verify your identity before you can access all the available online services. The SSA may ask you for your "activation code" as well as basic information about your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

Once you're allowed access to Social Security's electronic services, you can check the status of your disability application at any time. Your application status shows the date you filed your claim, the current location of your claim, the servicing office location, your scheduled hearing date and time (if any), and re-entry numbers for incomplete online applications.

Call Your Local Social Security Office

You can also speak to a representative from the SSA to check on the status of your disability case. Use the field office locator tool to find the contact information for your nearest office. Most offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

When you call, you'll need to provide your name and Social Security number so that the representative can look up your case. They should be able to tell you where your application is in the process, but won't be able to give you much detail on when the SSA will hand down a decision or whether there are any obstacles holding it up. For details on your claim, you should call other offices directly.

Checking Your SSDI or SSI Application Status at the Initial and Reconsideration Stages

If you're checking your application at the initial claim level—meaning after you filed your application but before you receive a decision—or at reconsideration (first appeal), you can speak directly with the disability examiner who is evaluating your claim. This is usually the most helpful way to get information.

Claims examiners work at a state agency called Disability Determination Services (DDS) that helps the federal Social Security Administration process applications for disability benefits. Claims examiners are typically easy to reach by phone, and the number should be printed on any letters you get in the mail from DDS. You can also ask your local Social Security field office or review contact information for the DDS offices in your state.

When you call the DDS office, say that you're calling to ask about the status of your case. Usually, the person who answers the phone will ask you for your Social Security number and will then connect you with your claims examiner, who can quickly tell you whether or not your case is pending. If so, ask the examiner if there is anything you can do to help expedite your claim.

The examiner can tell you over the phone if your case has been decided, but they won't be able to tell you whether your claim is approved. This is because your Social Security office makes the final decision after checking that you meet the eligible requirements for SSDI or SSI and confirming that you aren't still working at or above the substantial gainful activity threshold.

Checking Your Claim Status After You Request a Hearing

If you've received another denial after reconsideration (most claimants do), the next level of appeal is a hearing before an administrative law judge. Once you submit a hearing request, your claim is no longer handled by DDS. Instead, your case will be sent to Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), which is responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings.

After you file a request for a disability hearing, you may not hear anything from the OHO for many months. Many OHOs are so backlogged with cases that it takes a year to get a hearing. But it's still worth it to check on the status of your case at least once after you request a hearing, to make sure the office has received the medical records you (or your attorney) submitted.

If your case is at the hearing level, don't contact the field office where you first filed your claim. The OHO functions independently from Social Security field offices, and the office personnel will likely have little information about the status of your hearing request. Instead, make a status call about a pending hearing to the OHO itself. You can find the contact information for the OHO handling your claim using the agency's hearing office locator.

If You Have a Lawyer or Representative

Claimants who have a disability lawyer or non-attorney advocate can allow their representatives to make these status calls on their behalf. Your representative should periodically check the status of your case for you, both to stay up to date on the case and to avoid missing deadlines. Many claimants report a sense of relief knowing that their lawyer will handle these status updates. However, if your representative can't give you an update and you haven't heard anything in a while, don't hesitate to check on your case status as well.