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Applying for disability benefits
For anyone in the United States whose health, physical or mental, keeps them from working. The two federal programs, SSDI and SSI, and which one fits. What to have ready, how to apply, and what happens next. What to do if you are denied, and the 60 days you have to do it. Who can help you for free, and the words to say when you call. One thing at a time.
Right now
- Ready to apply, or to ask? Call Social Security, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Got a denial letter? You have 60 days to appeal. Find the date on it today.
- No food or nowhere to sleep tonight? Call 211.
- At the end of your rope? Call or text 988, any hour. Danger: 911.
More help
- Bills, benefits and collectors while you wait? When the money runs out.
- Not enough food in the house? When you need food.
- A doctor without insurance? When you need a doctor and can’t pay.
- A denial, an overpayment, a hearing? When you need a lawyer and can’t pay.
- A medical appointment coming up? Appointment prep.
- Phones and offices are hard for you? Speak for me and How I work.
- Still working, and need changes to keep the job? Ask for what helps you work.
- Someone else manages your care or your money? When you’re caring for someone.
- All our free tools and Get help now.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). The facts come from the Social Security Administration’s own pages (ssa.gov, including its guide “Understanding Supplemental Security Income”, 2026 edition, and choosework.ssa.gov) and from USAGov, with one line each from the National Disability Rights Network and Policy Research Associates about their own work. The phone numbers, hours, deadlines and dollar figures were read on those pages on October 1, 2026. The dollar figures are Social Security’s for 2026 and change every year, and rules change too, so check with Social Security before you rely on any of them. Where we could not confirm something, such as how long a decision takes or what a representative’s fee would be, the page says to ask and does not guess. This page saves nothing: no account, no cookies, nothing you tick is stored or sent, and no analytics (privacy). Scarlet Beast is not a government agency or a law office, and is not connected to Social Security. Found a mistake? Email [email protected].