Social Security Disability Claim Status

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

After a claimant decides to file for social security disability, it is generally several months (3 to 4 months is average, although up to 6 months is possible) before he or she receives a decision notice in the mail.

First, social security forwards the claim to the state agency in charge of making disability determinations (usually known as disability determination services, or DDS) where it is assigned to a disability examiner. The claim may stay with the examiner for several months, during which time you may or may not hear from the examiner (depending on if the examiner needs you to provide more details regarding your medical or work history).

Many claimants spend those months in between filing and receiving a decision with absolutely no knowledge of the status of their social security disability case; not only is this not in the claimant’s best interest, but it is also not necessary. It is fairly easy to check up on you claim’s progression through the system, if you know where to look.

1. If your case is in the very early stages (if you filed within the past two to three weeks) try calling the social security office to see if your case has been transferred to the state disability determination services (DDS) in your area. It’s a good idea to check up on your case at this point—there are some cases in which social security drops the ball entirely and doesn’t forward the claim to DDS for consideration. What could be more frustrating than patiently waiting for months to receive word on your claim, only to discover it has been lost on someone’s desk the entire time? Save yourself this unneeded stress and call to make sure your claim even made it out of the social security offices. Also, if you have an address change or a new telephone, call here to report the new information.

2. If you believe your claim has been transferred from social security to disability determination services, call DDS to see if they have assigned your case to a disability examiner, and if it’s being actively worked on. If you are unsure of the number of your state disability agency, you can call your local social security department and ask them for the number.

3. If your claim has been denied by DDS and you (or your disability attorney) have requested that an administrative law judge review your case in a disability hearing, call the disability hearing office, known as the office of disability adjudication and review (ODAR), to see if the request is being processed or if the case has been placed on the calendar.

4. If you have a disability lawyer, you may call him or her at any stage of the process to check the status of your claim. Your representative should have an answer ready for you, or at least be able to make one or two phone calls and get back to you with the information.

Remember, it is always best to take an active role in your claim for disability. Do not assume that all is going as it should because you haven’t heard anything regarding your case, when a simple phone will tell you exactly where your case stands.

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

How long does it take to get a decision on Social Security disability ?

What are social security disability denials based on, your medical or work history?

What happens if my SSI or Social Security Disability Application is denied?

Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?

How do you apply for disability if you have depression problems ?

Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

How to get Approved for Disability on the Basis of a Back Condition

If you get Social Security disability benefits do you get Medicare or Medicaid?

Is there a Maximum I can Work and Make if I am on SSD or SSI Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI - Retroactive Benefits Vs Back Pay Benefits

Applying for disability benefits in Missouri

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

How Often Does Social Security Disability Review Cases?

What is the best way to check the status of a Social Security Disability Claim or SSI claim?

What kind of Mental Problems Qualify for Disability?

Can you be denied for disability even if your doctor recommends that you be approved?

How to qualify for disability - The Process of Qualifying for Benefits

What are the questions that get asked at a social security disability or SSI hearing?

If You Are Represented For Social Security Disability or SSI, When Do You Pay The Fee?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Arkansas

The Qualifications for Disability Benefits and the Types of Evidence Social Security Looks at

Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

What if you get denied for disability multiple times?

When Should You File for SSD or SSI Disability?

Spina Bifida and Filing for Disability

SSI for children

If I Apply For Disability And Go Back To Work, Do I Need To Report This?

Can You Receive Social Security Disability Or SSI Benefits At the Same Time As VA or Veterans’ Benefits?

Questions about Disability Lawyers and Hiring a Disability Attorney

What kind of cases win Disability Benefits?

Can you file for Social Security disability for a mental disorder or problem?

Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

Social Security Disability Mental Testing

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

Migraines, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

When I Apply for Disability - Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI?

Slipped Herniated Disc and Filing for Disability

Can You Apply For Disability When You Lose Your Job?

How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don’t Have Money To Go To the Doctor?

Can You Qualify for Disability if you did not work much?

How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

What Are The Steps To Applying For Disability Benefits from Social Security?

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials