Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility in Wisconsin

Before applying, ensure you meet the SSA’s SSDI requirements:

• Work history: You must have earned enough work credits from paying Social Security taxes.
• Medical condition: Your disability must prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, SGA is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if blind).
• Duration: Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Having all documents ready before filing can speed up your Wisconsin SSDI application:

• Medical evidence: Doctor notes, hospital records, lab results, prescriptions, and specialist reports.
• Work history: List of jobs over the past 15 years, including duties and employers.
• Personal identification: Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.
• Financial information: Pay stubs or tax records, if requested.

Tip: Complete and organized records improve your chance of approval at the initial stage.

Step 3: File Your SSDI Application

In Wisconsin, you can apply:

1. Online – Use the SSA website for a quick, 24/7 application.
2. By phone – Call the SSA and apply with assistance.
3. In person – Visit a local Social Security office. Wisconsin offices are located in cities such as Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Eau Claire.

Each method has its benefits: online filing is fast, while in-person applications allow one-on-one guidance.

Step 4: Waiting for a Decision

After submission:

• The Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Wisconsin reviews your case.
• Initial decisions usually take 3 to 6 months, depending on medical evidence and workload.
• If denied, you can request reconsideration, followed by a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) if necessary.

Common Challenges Wisconsin Applicants Face

• Incomplete medical records.
• Gaps in work history documentation.
• Delays from doctors or hospitals sending records.
• Denial at the initial application stage.