Initial Application Submission

The first step in the approval process is to submit an application for disability benefits. You can apply online through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at www.ssa.gov, or you can apply over the phone or in person at your local SSA office in Missouri.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide detailed information about:

• Your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work.
• Your work history, including past jobs, earnings, and employment dates.
• Your financial situation (for SSI applicants) or your work credits (for SSDI applicants).
• Medical evidence supporting your disability claim, such as doctor’s notes, test results, and records from hospitals or clinics.

It’s crucial to provide all necessary information and documents to avoid delays in the process.

Disability Determination Process

Once you’ve submitted your application, it will be sent to the Missouri Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. This office is responsible for reviewing your application and determining if you qualify for benefits. The DDS will assess your condition based on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments and medical evidence to decide whether your disability meets the SSA’s strict criteria.

The DDS will evaluate whether:

• Your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.
• Your condition is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
• You are unable to perform any work based on your education, work history, and skills.

Typically, the disability determination process takes about 3 to 5 months. However, delays are possible if the SSA needs additional medical evidence or clarification.

Request for Additional Information or Consultative Exams

If the SSA needs more information to make a decision, they may ask you to provide additional medical records or undergo a consultative exam. A consultative exam is an exam performed by a doctor or specialist chosen by the SSA to evaluate your condition.

While these exams are intended to provide more information to support your claim, they can sometimes delay the decision process. However, it’s important to cooperate fully, as missing information could result in delays or a denial.

The Five-Step Disability Determination Process

The SSA evaluates all disability claims based on a five-step process to determine whether you qualify for benefits:

• Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) – The SSA checks if you’re working and earning more than a certain threshold. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month ($2,460 for blind individuals). If you’re earning above this amount, you may be disqualified.
• Step 2: Severe Condition – The SSA evaluates whether your condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to work. Your condition must interfere with your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Step 3: Meet a Listed Impairment – The SSA checks whether your condition matches one of the specific impairments listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. If your condition is listed and meets the criteria, you may qualify for benefits automatically.
• Step 4: Past Work – The SSA evaluates whether you are able to perform your past work. If you can still do your previous job, you will not qualify for benefits.
• Step 5: Other Work – If you can’t do your past work, the SSA will consider whether you can do any other type of work. This is based on factors like your age, education, and transferable skills. If the SSA determines you can perform other work, your claim may be denied.

Denial of Your Claim and the Appeals Process

It’s common for Social Security Disability claims to be denied during the initial application process. However, a denial doesn’t mean you won’t receive benefits – it just means the SSA has determined you do not meet the criteria at that stage.

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process includes the following steps:

• Request Reconsideration: The first step in appealing a denied claim is to ask the SSA to review your case again. This can take 3 to 5 months.
• Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If the reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. This is a more in-depth review of your case, and the ALJ will consider new evidence, hear testimony, and ultimately decide whether you qualify for benefits. The waiting time for a hearing in Missouri is typically 12 to 18 months.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request a review from the Appeals Council. This process could take another 6 to 12 months.

If you win your case at any stage of the appeals process, you will begin receiving benefits retroactively from the date of your original application.

How Long Does the Approval Process Take in Missouri?

The timeline for receiving a decision on your disability claim in Missouri can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your case and whether you experience any delays.

• Initial Decision: It typically takes 3 to 5 months for the SSA to review your application and make an initial decision.
• Reconsideration (if denied): The reconsideration process takes another 3 to 5 months.
• ALJ Hearing (if needed): The wait time for a hearing with an ALJ is usually 12 to 18 months.
• Appeals Council (if needed): If your case is appealed to the Appeals Council, this can take an additional 6 to 12 months.