How to Apply Online for Social Security Disability and SSI
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 25, 2025
Social Security has 2 disability programs – one based on work, the other based on need.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays monthly benefits if you have paid into Social Security through your job and have a disabling condition that prevents you from working. Your benefits are based on your earnings from work.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness who have limited income and few resources. Note: If you’re 65 or older, you may be eligible for SSI if you meet certain income and resource limits. You don’t have to have a disabling condition.
Our adult definition of disability is the same for both SSDI and SSI. You must have a medical condition that:
- Is expected to last at least 1 year or result in death.
- Prevents you from doing “substantial gainful activity”, SGA. For people who are not blind, the monthly SGA amount for 2025 is $1,620.
To learn if you or someone you know may be eligible for one or both disability programs, visit our Benefits webpage.
How can you apply for SSDI?
You can use our online application to apply for disability benefits if:
- You are age 18 or older and have a my Social Security account.
- You do not receive benefits on your own Social Security earnings record.
- Your previous disability application was denied more than 60 days ago.
How can you apply for SSI?
Applying for SSI is now easier with our simplified online application, which includes a streamlined version of the initial SSI application. In the past, adults could apply online for SSDI and select only the “intent to file for SSI” option.
You can use our online application to apply for SSI if you:
- Are age 18-64 years and 10 months and are applying for both SSI and SSDI.
- Have a my Social Security account.
- Have never been married.
- Have never applied for SSI for yourself or a child.
- Are a U.S. citizen. Note: Some noncitizens may be able to use the online application if they meet SSI eligibility requirements.
You can easily create a personal my Social Security account if you don’t have one. If you can’t apply online for SSDI or SSI, you must make an appointment to complete the application by calling us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Please share this information with others who may want to apply for disability benefits or SSI for themselves or a child – and post it on social media.
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Tags: Disability, Social Security benefits, SSI
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Christy G.
I got denied the first time and I’m appealing this myself with out a lawyer because I don’t have one. Should I get a lawyer to appeal this for me. Any suggestions on a good disability lawyers? Please help me out!! Thanks so much.
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Chad D.
Thanks guys the best team ever
Vincent C.
How do I submit proper documentation for SSDI for my daughter who is 40 years old and has epilepsy, bi-polar and other health issues.
Since she has maybe 2-3 work credits I want to use my social security retirement for her. I am 73 and retired at 63..
Thank you
Vincent Carter
vecnumber7@gmail.com
Tony
Most people are living paycheck to paycheck. Disability benefits are less than what you earn while working. You will living a lifestyle worse than when you were living paycheck to paycheck.
It will be months or years before you get approved. Unless you want to to lose everything or become homeless waiting to get approved, then apply for disability and take a chance.
It takes an average of 6 months to get an initial determination. Then it takes 3 months to appeal for reconsideration. To appeal for a hearing takes a year or more. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, then you will be homeless before the initial determination..
K. C.
Yes, I am now homeless. No check to check. Nothing from SSA or GA.
Jack E.
Good luck now that they are getting rid of thousands of experienced employees as “wasteful” spending. As you said, there has been a steady decline in service for years as Congress failed to fund adequate staffing. This is what America didn’t realize they were voting for. Most of us who worked at SSA knew better.
Tamara T.
can you please include if you need to apply for disability for a minor
Ihab A.
Thank you managmant for knowledge.
Daisy O.
You now Iam 64 years I recipe SI but my husband have 60 years I need to enroll to S.S. To my husband send me appointment or call but please in Spanish but went I enroll my husband in 2008 the personal it’s very angry in English and in Spanish too and may me cry and now it’s more complicated the situation it’s very bad my husband have 4 strock and now not walk and SS only give the portátil toiler and dicrime too much.
Timothy J.
That’s great. But I applied and was APPROVED in June 2024, and I STILL haven’t received my four years of back pay! This used to be paid before the monthly SSDI payments began, then two months after, but now…a year later, and my payment is “still with the payment center?” I have had to enlist the help of my US Representative and we still get no reply!
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