Where you can explore for SSI online
You can start an SSI process online through my Social Security, the official Social Security Administration portal at ssa.gov. The online process lets you fill out the initial form from home and submit it without visiting an office. However, the process does not end online — you will need to complete additional steps in person or by phone to finish your claim.
The online portal accepts applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on age, blindness, or disability. You create a my Social Security account, answer questions about your personal information, work history, and living situation, then submit the form electronically. Social Security will contact you after submission to schedule an appointment for the next stage.
Not every person can begin their claim online. If you are explore for a child under 18, or if you need to file a claim based on someone else's work record, you will need to call or visit an office instead. The online tool will tell you whether your situation qualifies for the online path.
Key Takeaways
- You can start an SSI process online through my Social Security at ssa.gov, but you must complete the rest of the process by phone or in person.
- The online process works for adults filing based on their own age, blindness, or disability, but not for children or claims based on another person's record.
- After you submit your online form, Social Security will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment or phone interview to verify documents and information.
- You can also explore by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office without using the online tool.
What happens after you submit your online process
Once you submit your form through my Social Security, your process goes into the system and Social Security assigns it a case number. You will receive a confirmation page with that number — save it. Within a few days, you should receive a letter in the mail with your case number and next steps.
Social Security will contact you by phone or mail to schedule an in-person appointment at your local office. During this appointment, you bring original documents — birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, bank statements, medical records, and proof of income if you work. A claims representative will review your process, ask follow-up questions, and collect any documents you could not upload online.
If Social Security needs more information after your appointment, they will send you a list of documents to provide. You can mail them, bring them to the office, or upload them to your my Social Security account. The entire process from submission to a decision typically takes 30 to 90 days, though cases involving medical review can take longer.
Documents you will need to have ready
Before you start your online process, gather the documents Social Security will ask for. You do not have to upload everything at once — the online form lets you save and return to it — but having these items ready speeds up the process.
For any SSI claim, you need proof of age (birth certificate), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or I-94 form), and a Social Security number. If you are blind or disabled, you need medical records from doctors or hospitals that show your condition and how it affects your ability to work. If you receive treatment, bring records from the past three months. If you work or have worked, bring pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer showing your income.
You also need proof of where you live — a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement — and bank statements showing your current balance. If someone else lives with you or helps pay your bills, Social Security may ask about their income too. The online form will specify which documents explore to your situation.
explore by phone or in person instead
If you do not want to use the online process, you can call Social Security's main number, 1-800-772-1213, and ask to file an SSI claim. A representative will take your information over the phone and schedule an appointment for you to bring documents. You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment and ask to file — they will either help you that day or schedule you for another time.
Calling or visiting in person takes longer than starting online because the representative has to type your answers into the system as you speak. However, some people prefer this method because they can ask questions as they go and get when ready feedback about what documents they need.
To find your local office, go to ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the address and hours. Many offices now require you to make an appointment in advance rather than walk in, so calling first is usually faster.
Differences between online, phone, and in-person filing
| Method | Time to complete | When to use | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (my Social Security) | 20 to 30 minutes | You are an adult filing for yourself based on age, blindness, or disability | Social Security calls or mails to schedule in-person appointment |
| Phone (1-800-772-1213) | 30 to 45 minutes | You prefer to speak with someone or cannot use the online tool | Representative schedules in-person appointment or sends documents by mail |
| In person at local office | 45 minutes to 2 hours | You want to bring documents the same day or need help understanding the form | Office may complete some steps same day or schedule follow-up appointment |
Common reasons the online process will not work for you
The my Social Security online tool has limits on who can use it. If you are under 18, you cannot file online — a parent or guardian must call or visit an office to file on your behalf. If you are explore based on someone else's work record (such as a spouse's or parent's), the online tool will not let you proceed and you must call or visit instead.
If you do not have a my Social Security account yet, you will need to create one before you can start the process. This requires a valid email address and takes about 10 minutes. If you have trouble creating an account or logging in, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for help.
Some people also choose not to file online because they have complex medical histories, language barriers, or difficulty using computers. All of these are valid reasons to use the phone or in-person method instead — Social Security processes claims filed any way equally.
What to expect during the medical review
After you submit your process and attend your in-person appointment, Social Security sends your medical records to a state agency called Disability information Services (DDS). This agency reviews your medical evidence to decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability or blindness.
DDS may contact your doctors to ask for more details about your condition, or they may send you to a doctor Social Security pays for an examination. If they need more information, they will mail you a request listing what they need and when to send it. You can mail documents, bring them to your local office, or upload them to your my Social Security account.
The medical review usually takes 30 to 60 days after your appointment, though some cases take longer. You will receive a letter in the mail with the decision — either approved, denied, or a request for more information. If you are approved, the letter will tell you when your payments start and how much you will receive each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload documents to my my Social Security account after I submit my process?
Yes. After you submit your process online, you can log back into your my Social Security account and upload additional documents in the "Documents" section. You can also mail documents to your local Social Security office or bring them in person. Social Security will accept documents uploaded, mailed, or delivered in person at any point before a decision is made.
What if I start my process online but do not finish it?
Your process is saved automatically as you fill it out. You can log back into your my Social Security account at any time and pick up where you left off. There is no important date to finish — you can save and return to it over several days if needed. However, once you submit it, the clock starts on the 30 to 90 day review period.
Do I have to use the online process, or can I always call instead?
You can always call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office instead of filing online. The online process is faster if you are able to use it, but it is not required. Social Security processes claims filed by phone or in person the same way they process online claims.
How do I know if my online process was received?
After you submit your process, you will see a confirmation page with your case number. You will also receive a letter in the mail within a few days with the same case number and instructions for the next step. If you do not receive a letter within two weeks, call 1-800-772-1213 and give them your case number to confirm it was received.