How to Apply for Social Security Disability Online in 2027

To apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) online in 2027, start at the Social Security Administration's disability application page. Gather your work and medical information, complete the disability application and Adult Disability Report, and authorize the SSA to request your medical records.

You can use Login.gov or ID.me to access your my Social Security account. If you can't create an account, SSA also provides a way to complete the application online. You can apply by phone or through a local Social Security office.

Before You Apply: SSDI Eligibility in 2027 

Before you apply for SSDI, make sure you meet the SSA's basic requirements:

• Work history: SSDI requires that you have enough Social Security work credits, earned by paying Social Security taxes. Typically, you need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least five of the 10 years before your disability began limiting work. Requirements are often lower for younger workers. (Learn more about the recent work test here.)
• Disability duration: Your condition must be expected to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. That doesn’t mean you have to wait 12 months to apply.
• Work and earnings: The SSA uses substantial gainful activity (SGA) as an earnings threshold. For 2027, the monthly SGA threshold is $1,770 gross a month or $2,950 gross a month if you’re legally blind. Countable earnings, qualifying deductions, and self-employment rules can affect what the SSA considers for SGA. These 2027 limits take effect in January. For applications made in 2026, the SGA amounts are $1,690 per month for non-blind applicants and $2,830 for statutorily blind applicants. 

The SSA's online disability application is for adults ages 18 or older who aren't already receiving benefits on their own Social Security record. If your disability application was denied within the past 60 days, you may need to file an appeal instead of starting a new application.

You may qualify for both SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your SSDI benefits would be so low that you also meet SSI requirements.

What Information You Need to Apply for Disability 

Gathering needed information before you begin instead of searching for names or dates as you go makes it easier to complete the application. Use this checklist to gather needed information and documents:

• Personal information: Your Social Security number, date and place of birth, marriage and divorce details, information about your spouse or former spouse and children, and bank details for direct deposit.
• Work information: Your recent employers, earnings, dates worked, job duties, and the jobs you held in the five years before you became unable to work. The SSA asks about up to five jobs, including your duties, work hours, and pay. 
• Medical information: Your medical conditions, medications, medical tests, and treatment dates, along with the names and contact information of your doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
• Other information: The name and contact information of a family member or friend who knows about your condition and can help the SSA reach you if needed. Details about any workers' compensation or other disability benefits you've received or applied for.

The SSA's Adult Disability Starter Kit includes a checklist and worksheet for organizing these details. This article further explains the documents needed to apply for SSDI.

Don't delay applying if you're missing documents. The SSA can explain how to provide the information later.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability Online in 4 Steps 

Once you have your information ready, use the SSA's online service to complete the following four application steps.

Step 1: Start Your Application at SSA.gov 

Start at SSA.gov/apply and select the program(s) you want to apply for. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to apply for SSDI and SSI at the same time.

The SSA uses two sign-in services for access: Login.gov or ID.me. If you already use either service, sign in with that account. You don't need to make an account with both.

If you don't have an account, follow the SSA's instructions to create one through Login.gov or ID.me. You only need one of these sign-in services. Identity-verification requirements vary by method, so check SSA's current account setup instructions before starting. 

If you can't create a my Social Security account, SSA's online application instructions provide an alternative way to file. Follow the prompts or contact SSA for help. 

Then follow the SSA's instructions to begin the disability application.

Step 2: Enter Your Personal and Work Information

The application asks about your marital status, family information, work history, earnings, and when your disability began limiting your ability to work. Give accurate dates and include any work you continued doing after your symptoms began.

The date your condition first affected your job may differ from when it prevented you from earning SGA amounts or when you stopped working entirely. These dates help the SSA understand how your ability to work changed.

For example, your condition might have caused you to reduce your work hours in March and stop working entirely in September. Include both dates to show how your ability to work changed.

If you're unsure of an employment date, check your work records rather than guessing.

Step 3: Complete the Adult Disability Report and Medical Release 

The Adult Disability Report (Form SSA-3368) asks about your medical conditions, treatment, and how your health affects your ability to work. When asked about your conditions, list the illnesses or injuries that limit your ability to work.

In the treatment questions, enter the names and contact information of your doctors, hospitals, and clinics, along with your treatment dates. The SSA uses this information to request your medical records.

When asked how your conditions affected your past jobs, describe the tasks you struggled to do. For example, if leg pain forced you to sit after 10 minutes of standing, explain how that affected job duties that required you to stand longer. Give specific, truthful descriptions of your limitations rather than trying to choose words that might influence the result.

The SSA also asks you to complete Form SSA-827, a medical release authorizing the agency to obtain information relevant to your claim. Read the authorization and follow the instructions for completing it.

Step 4: Review and Submit Your Application

If you need to stop before completing your application, use the SSA's save option and follow the instructions to return to it later. Saving your answers does not submit your claim. If SSA gives you a re-entry number, save it somewhere secure so you can return to your application. 

Before submitting your application, review your answers for accuracy. Check your personal information, employment and disability dates, employer details, and medical contacts. Make sure you've answered all required questions and correct any mistakes. After reviewing your answers, submit your application to the SSA.

After you submit, the SSA will confirm receipt of your application electronically or by mail. Keep the confirmation for your records and follow any instructions for submitting additional documents.

How to Apply By Phone or Through a Social Security Office 

If You Can’t Verify Your Identity

Contact Login.gov or ID.me support, depending on which service you're using. Both offer help with account setup and identity verification. You can also check the SSA's account help page for guidance.

If You Can't Complete the Online Application

If you can't complete the application online, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to apply by phone or arrange an appointment. You can also apply through your local Social Security office. Contact the office before visiting to confirm how to proceed.

What Happens After You Submit an SSDI Application 

The SSA first checks whether you meet the non-medical eligibility requirements, including work history. If you meet those requirements, the SSA sends your claim to your state's Disability Determination Services (DDS), which reviews your medical evidence and determines whether you meet the SSA's disability requirements.

DDS requests medical records from your doctors and other treatment providers. If those records don't provide enough information to decide your claim, DDS may arrange a consultative examination, an additional medical exam to gather information about your condition.

Watch for letters or calls from the SSA or DDS. You may be asked to provide more information or attend an examination. Respond promptly to avoid delays.

You can check your application's status through your online account. The SSA estimates six to eight months for an initial disability decision, but the time can vary depending on the medical evidence needed. For more details, read where your disability forms go after you apply.

If the SSA denies your claim, you generally have 60 days after receiving the decision to request reconsideration. Read our SSDI appeals guide for the steps and deadlines. 

Get Help With Your SSDI Application

Advocate’s disability representatives can help you apply for SSDI or SSDI and SSI together. Our case managers support you through the entire process, helping you respond to SSA requests and gather strong evidence. We can also help you appeal a denial or prepare for a consultative exam.