SCIHow to apply
You can apply online at ssa.gov/apply, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or in person at a Social Security office. Have ready: your medical records and providers, your work history, and (for SSI) details of your income and resources. Apply as soon as you're unable to work — the date matters for back pay.
The decision — and the four appeal levels
Most initial claims take months, and many strong claims are denied at first. Do not give up â appeal. Four levels:
- Reconsideration — a fresh review by SSA. Historically about 84% are denied here, and it takes roughly 7 months. It's mostly a required step on the way to a hearing.
- Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge — this is where many people finally win, with roughly a 50%+ approval rate. Recent waits average around 9 months. Having a representative matters most here.
- Appeals Council review.
- Federal court.
Through a hearing, total time is often 1.5 to 2+ years â which is why applying early and keeping your medical evidence current matters so much.
Back pay (past-due benefits)
- SSDI can be paid retroactively up to 12 months before your application date (minus the 5-month waiting period), based on your established onset date.
- SSI pays only from your application date forward — there's no retroactive payment for time before you applied. So with SSI, applying promptly directly protects money.
Representatives — paid only if you win
Disability attorneys and non-attorney reps work on contingency â paid only if you win, taking 25% of your past-due benefits up to a federal cap (about $9,200 as of late 2025). For most people facing a hearing, representation costs nothing up front and is worth it.
Sources: SSA: the approval/appeals process; SSA hearing-office and processing-time data (2024–2025).