SSDI provides income when disability prevents you from working. The application process is complex, but understanding it improves your chances of approval.
Expert information to help you understand your rights and options
Social Security Disability Insurance provides monthly income for workers who become disabled before retirement age. Learn eligibility requirements, how to apply online or in-person, required medical documentation, and common mistakes that lead to application denial.
SSDI benefits do not begin immediately—there is a mandatory 5-month waiting period from your established onset date. Understand how SSA determines your onset date, calculating your first payment date, back pay for delayed approvals, and bridging the financial gap while waiting.
SSDI eligibility requires sufficient work credits and a medical condition expected to last 12+ months or result in death. Understand how work credits are calculated, the Blue Book listing of impairments, and how SSA evaluates whether you can perform any substantial work.
Medical evidence is the foundation of successful SSDI claims—without proper documentation, even genuinely disabled applicants get denied. Learn which medical records SSA needs, how to obtain records from doctors, the role of treating physician statements, and filling evidence gaps.
The SSDI application process takes 3-6 months for initial decisions, with roughly 70% of claims denied at first. Learn what happens at each stage, why denials are so common, the importance of consultative exams, and how to strengthen your application from the start.