How to Know If Your Social Security Application Has Been Approved

Learn how you will find out whether your application for Social Security disability benefits has been approved, and what to do if you are denied.

Social Security’s Website, Disability Approval Letters and Other Indications of Approval

There are several ways you can check the status of your Social Security Disability application.  

First, you can check the status of your application online on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website by logging into your my Social Security account.  If you don’t have an account, you can create one on the SSA website. 

Second, you can call the Social Security Administration directly at 1-800-772-1213.  They can provide you with the status of your application.  For those deaf or hard of hearing, they can use the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. 

Third, you can visit your local Social Security office.  You can always visit your local SSA office to inquire about your application status. Make sure to bring any necessary identification or documentation. 

Fourth, watch for your notification letter in the mail.  The Social Security Administration will send you a letter telling you whether your application for Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits has been approved or denied; however, an approval letter may not be the first indication that you have been approved on initial claim or reconsideration appeal.

If you gave Social Security your banking information for direct deposit, sometimes you will  receive a deposit to your bank account before you receive a letter.

If you get a payment before you receive a letter, you can either wait for the explanatory approval letter, which may come up to two weeks later, or you can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 for an explanation of the deposit and information about your ongoing benefits or back pay.

Hearing Decisions

If your claim is at a hearing level appeal, you will always receive the hearing decision in a letter mailed to you well before payment is sent.

What If I Get A Denial Letter or a Partial Approval Letter?

If you receive an approval letter that is only partially favorable or you receive a denial letter, review the letter carefully. If you disagree with the reasons for denial or the date of approval on your claim, you have the right to appeal or have an attorney appeal your application for Social Security Disability benefits. If you disagree with their decision on your claim you must appeal in a timely manner or SSA will simply dismiss your appeal.

Will the Social Security Administration contact me after my disability benefits start?

Notification of Benefit Changes

The Social Security Administration will contact you by mail to notify you of increases in your benefit amount caused by a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or the crediting of additional earnings. 

Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR’s)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will also send you a letter and may call you when they need to verify that you are still disabled and eligible for disability benefits. 

SSI Redeterminations

When you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSA will typically contact you annually to conduct a redetermination of your financial eligibility for SSI benefits.

Other SSA-initiated Contact

Representative payees are contacted annually to account for the use of benefits that they are receiving on another person’s behalf. If you work, you may be contacted to provide more information about your work activity especially if you did not report the work.

On rare occasions, a representative of Social Security might visit you at your home, but it is a good idea to be alert to possible scams. Similarly, if someone phones you and asks for your Social Security number, do not reveal it. SSA employees will not ask for your Social Security number. For security, call or visit your local Social Security office and ask if someone was actually sent to see you or called you. (If you are doing business with an organization that already has your Social Security number such as a bank and you are asked to verify the number, verify only the last four digits and not even that if you feel uncomfortable.)

The Social Security Administration never contacts you by phone or email to ask for your Social Security number, to say that your Social Security number has been compromised, or to otherwise scare you into responding. Such calls or emails are likely scams. If you have any doubt about a call you receive, do not provide any information and contact your Social Security office to see whether they have any inquiry in process that you need to respond to.