Sent the Wrong Information to SSA? Here’s How to fix an SSDI Application if you need to make a correction
Introduction
Noticing a typo or a missing date after you’ve already submitted your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application can leave you wondering if you’ve made a serious mistake. According to SSA guidelines, it is still possible to correct or clarify information after you file, and there are different ways to do that depending on when you catch the mistake.
Depending on where you live and how you contact SSA, it may take a while for your correction to be fully processed.
This article walks through how corrections work before and after you submit your SSDI application, how SSA staff handle those updates internally, what real‑world wait times can look like, and what you can expect when you reach out to SSA to fix something.
Fixing Mistakes Before You Submit Your SSDI Application
If you’re still starting your disability application and staring at the “Submit Now” button, you’re in the best possible spot to catch and fix anything that doesn’t look quite right:
According to SSA’s online instructions, you can still:
Add or update medical providers
Change medications
Fix work history details
Correct dates
Upload or revise information
To edit a saved application:
Log in at SSA.gov/myaccount.
Open “Your Applications.”
Select the section to revise.
Save and continue.
Before submission, corrections require no explanation and no wait. If only the rest of the disability process worked this way.
correcting Mistakes After You SubmitTED YOUR SSDI APPLICATION
Once you hit that submit button, your application becomes a locked snapshot—but your claim file is still open for updates. SSA allows applicants to correct information by using the procedures outlined in POMS GN 00205.015 (“Handling Changes and Additions on Applications”) and related documentation rules. Under these guidelines, staff must document corrections through Records of Contact or written statements so the updated information becomes part of your official claim file. POMS is an operating manual for SSDI claims.
SSA allows applicants to correct information by:
Calling 1‑800‑772‑1213 or a local SSA office
TTY (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing): 1‑800‑325‑0778
Visiting a local field office
Sending a written statement (often using form SSA‑795 - more on that below)
The SSA website encourages applicants to call if a correction needs to be made.
What to Have Ready Before Contacting SSA
Name, date of birth, and last four of SSN
Application confirmation number (if you have one)
A short, clear statement of the correction
A request that the representative confirm the update was added
Your own notes: date, time, method of contact, and who you spoke with
Keeping your own log is crucial—especially if wait times stretch into weeks.
(POSSIBLY) the Fastest Way to Report a Correction
1. Visit your local SSA office
It’s not always convenient, but it’s often the most predictable way to speak to a real person who can enter your correction that same day.
2. Call SSA
Calling can help—but it is not always quick. Many callers experience:
Long recorded messages
Phone trees with multiple menus
Long holds
Getting disconnected before reaching a human
No answer at all during peak hours
But once you do reach someone, they can document your correction in the electronic record right away using a Record of Contact (RPOC), even though the full processing of that update may still take time.
3. Send a written correction ON FORM SSA‑795
This works when phones are backed up, but be prepared for delays:
Some SSA offices have weeks or months of unprocessed mail.
OIG audits have documented mail that sat for 7+ months in certain offices.
Your correction isn’t added until someone scans and indexes it.
(Keep reading to learn more about Form SSA-795.)
Why SSA Processing Times Can Be Long
SSA doesn’t publish timelines for how long corrections take, but audits and claimant experiences offer a clearer picture.
What claimants regularly experience:
Reaching a live person often takes multiple attempts across multiple days.
Phone corrections may still take days or weeks to appear in the file.
Mail‑in corrections may take weeks or months to be opened and scanned.
Online messages skip the postal delay but land in the same queue processed by the same limited staff.
In Pennsylvania, a claimant recently reported that their local office’s automated message in November 2025 said the callback queue for documenting corrections was over 200 days long.
SSA Backlogs documented by the oig
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audits SSA’s operations to identify delays, backlogs, and systemic issues. These findings help explain why even simple corrections can take longer than most people expect.
A Processing Center had 9,000+ unprocessed documents, some 7+ months old.
Another had 200,000+ pieces of undeliverable mail, some over one year old.
14 of 87 field offices had undeliverable mail older than 30 days; some had mail sitting for years.
59% of field offices averaged 10 days to scan mail (goal: 5 days).
Processing Center pending actions reached 5.2 million in early 2024.
In sampled cases, 73% of pending actions were 300+ days old; 43% were 500+ days old.
These delays are systemic—not personal. Your correction is not being ignored; it is entering a very large, very old pipeline hit by significant budget cuts, staff reductions, and hiring freezes.
Tips for Navigating SSA Delays
Keep a running log of all contacts.
If phones aren’t working, you can send a form SSA‑795 as backup.
When you finally speak to someone, you can mention any letters or messages you’ve already submitted.
Stay consistent with what you report across each contact attempt.
These steps can reduce confusion in your SSDI file.
What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes When You Submit a Correction
When you tell SSA about a mistake, they usually do not go back and edit the original application you submitted. Think of your application as a snapshot in time that stays frozen. Instead, SSA “pins” new information to your claim file so that anyone who reviews it later can see both what you first said and what you corrected.
In practice, SSA staff document corrections using tools such as:
RPOC (Record of Contact) – an electronic note entered by SSA or DDS staff after a phone call, office visit, or other contact that summarizes what you reported.
SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant or Other Person) – a signed written statement, often in your own words, explaining what needs to be corrected or clarified.
SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) – a staff-completed form used when SSA needs a formal written record of a contact or clarification.
These entries are attached to your electronic claim file so that when a claims representative, DDS examiner, or judge reviews your case, they can see a time-stamped trail: your original answer, your later correction, and who documented the correction.
Introduction to Form SSA-795
Form SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant or Other Person) is a short written statement that becomes part of your official SSA file and is signed under penalty of perjury, similar to an affidavit. The form isn’t limited to SSDI; SSA uses it in many different kinds of claims whenever a signed statement is needed. Sometimes you fill it out yourself; other times an SSA employee may type up your statement based on what you say during a call or office visit, then read it back to you and ask you to sign. Either way, the key is that the wording accurately reflects your correction or clarification—such as fixing a date, explaining work activity, or correcting something on your disability application. Once you sign it, SSA treats it as your sworn statement. You can download the official form SSA-795 at the SSA website.
Should You Fill Out an SSA‑795 Yourself?
Many claimants choose to complete an SSA‑795 themselves because:
It puts your correction in writing.
It gives you a dated record.
You don’t have to wait on hold.
Option 1: You can Ask SSA to Record Your Correction for You
This option works when you reach a real person on the phone or at the SSA office to help you with your disability claim.
Pros:
Correction entered immediately.
No mail delays.
Staff format the statement correctly.
Cons:
Hard to reach a live person.
Phone queues may be extremely long.
Option 2: fill out form SSA‑795 on your own
If you decide to fill out your own SSA‑795, keep it simple and focused. The form is not as complicated as many other SSA forms. Even though there is a large space to explain the correction needed on your SSDI application, you can keep your answer short and easy to understand. The basic form 795 generally includes:
Your full name, SSN (or last four digits), and contact information
A short statement explaining (“certifying”) exactly what you need to correct
Any corrected dates, provider names, or other key details
A brief sentence confirming the information is true to the best of your knowledge (preprinted on the form)
Your signature and the date
(If you can’t sign the form, you’ll need two witness if you sign with an “X,” but witnesses are not needed if you can sign your name.)
Think of the SSA‑795 as a quick written clarification—not a long narrative. Clear and concise is best because staff may be reviewing large volumes of mail at once. Stick to the facts.
This option is helpful when you can’t get through by phone but still want something in writing on record.
Pros:
Full control of wording.
Immediate action on your part.
Cons:
May sit in mail queues for weeks or months.
If unclear, a representative or DDS examiner may request clarification, which adds to the claim processing time.
Should You Use Multiple Methods?
Sometimes, but not automatically.
Multiple methods do not guarantee faster processing and can occasionally slow things down if staff must reconcile duplicates.
If you choose to use more than one method:
Keep statements short and consistent.
Tell staff if you already mailed something.
Keep your own record of each contact.
Fixing the Date Your Disability Started or Made You Unable to Work (Your AOD)
Your “Alleged Onset Date” (AOD) is the date you say you first became unable to work. The SSDI application doesn’t use the term ‘AOD’ directly. Instead, it asks when your condition first prevented you from working, and SSA treats your answer as your alleged onset date. It affects:
which medical records SSA reviews,
when disability may have begun, and
potential benefit timelines.
According to POMS DI 25501.230, SSA has a specific set of rules for changing your AOD. In plain language, that guidance says you can ask to change the date you gave any time up until DDS makes a medical decision on your claim. If you made a mistake on your SSDI application and put the wrong date of disability or the wrong date you stopped working, you can correct it.
You might hear the terms AOD and EOD. In simple terms, your AOD is the date you say you became unable to work (the “alleged” onset date), while the EOD is the date SSA ultimately decides your disability began based on the medical and legal evidence in your file (the “established” onset date.)
How You Can Request a Change to Your Alleged onset date of disability
You don’t have to know the policy name when you call or write—SSA just needs a clear request from you.
You can ask SSA to change your AOD by:
Calling your local Social Security office or the national 1-800-772-1213 number and telling the representative you want to change the date you first became unable to work.
Talking to staff in person at a Social Security office and explaining what the original date was and what the corrected date should be.
Sending a short written statement, often on Form SSA-795, that says what the original date was, what the new date should be, and why.
Contacting your DDS examiner (by phone or in writing) if your case is already at DDS and you’ve been given their contact information.
Explaining the change at your hearing, if your claim reaches a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge.
You do not need a special form unless SSA asks for one. However, many applicants choose to submit an SSA‑795 because it provides a clear, dated written record in their own words.
What Happens After You Request the Change to your disability onset date
Under POMS DI 25501.230, SSA staff must:
Explain onset rules so you can make an informed choice
Make sure you understand how the disability onset date affects the claim
Document your request thoroughly
SSA then records:
your original AOD,
your amended AOD, and
your reason for changing the date.
SSA documents this using a Record of Contact (RPOC) or an SSA‑5002 (Report of Contact), depending on whether the note is entered by the field office or the Disability Determination Services staff.
Important Timing Notes
You may request an amended AOD any time before DDS issues its determination.
If you request the change in writing but the information is incomplete, you’ll likely be asked for clarification.
If you do not respond to SSA requests to clarify the information, the amended dates might not be used.
This process helps ensure SSA has an accurate timeline without requiring you to restart your application. The corrected date you agree to is called the amended alleged onset date (AAOD) in SSA guidance, and it is kept in your file alongside your original AOD.
You can even make corrections if you application has advanced to the medical examination phase in the five-step disability review process.
Updating Your File While SSA’s Medical Team (DDS) Is Reviewing Your Claim
After you file your SSDI application, SSA usually does two big things:
Your local Social Security office looks at the non-medical pieces (work history, basic eligibility, etc.).
Then they send your case to a state agency called Disability Determination Services (DDS) to decide the medical part of your claim.
DDS is the team that reviews your medical records, may send you forms to fill out, and sometimes schedules consultative exams. Even after your file is sent to DDS, you can still update your information.
What You Can Send While Your Case Is at DDS
While DDS is reviewing your claim, you can usually send:
New medical records (for example, recent office visits, test results, or hospital discharge papers)
Updates on symptoms or functioning (“I now need a cane,” “I can no longer stand longer than 10 minutes,” etc.)
New or corrected provider information (new doctors, changed addresses, missed providers)
Clarifications about work activity (if you tried to go back to work, stopped again, or had work attempts you forgot to mention)
How to Reach the DDS Examiner
DDS typically mails you a letter early in the process with the name and phone number of the DDS examiner assigned to your case.
If you still have that letter, you can call the examiner directly to ask where to send new records or to give an update by phone.
If you don’t have the letter or are unsure who your examiner is, you can call Social Security (the national line or your local office) and ask whether your case has been sent to DDS and, if so, how to contact the DDS office handling it.
Why Timing Matters
DDS reviews often take weeks to months, depending on the state and workload. Sending updates as soon as you get them (instead of waiting until the very end) makes it more likely the examiner will see your new information before a medical decision is made.
If SSA Already Made a Decision and you made a mistake
If You Were Denied
You may correct or update information during:
Reconsideration,
A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or
Appeals Council review.
Follow deadlines closely—they are strict. If you need help understanding the appeals steps or deciding how to move forward, it may be helpful to speak with a licensed attorney or representative who can review your specific situation.
Section 515: A Common Misunderstanding
Some people read about Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act and believe it can be used to force SSA to correct or reconsider their individual SSDI claim.
But according to federal guidance:
Section 515 applies to agency‑level information quality standards—not individual claim files.
It cannot revise your medical evidence.
It cannot change a disability determination.
It cannot correct personal data in your SSDI application.
For more information, you can refer to SSA’s Section 515 Information Quality Guidelines and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Section 515 Information Quality Guidelines, which explain how Section 515 applies to agency‑level information—not to personal SSDI claims.
Summary
Deep breath—mistakes on your SSDI application aren't the end of the world. In most cases, they're totally fixable. Before you hit "Submit," you can reopen your online application anytime and fix dates, provider names, work history, or anything else that needs tweaking. No special hoops to jump through.
Already submitted? You're still good. You can report corrections by calling SSA, visiting an office, or sending something in writing. Realized the date you said you became unable to work isn't quite right? SSA's onset rules actually allow you to request a new date while your claim is pending. They'll keep both your original alleged onset date (AOD) and your amended alleged onset date (AAOD) on file—you're not erasing anything, just updating.
You can also send fresh medical evidence or clarifications to the DDS examiner while they're reviewing your case. Even if a decision has already been made, the appeals process lets you submit updated information.
Yes, the waits can be long and the backlogs are frustrating. But knowing how corrections get documented, which SSA rules apply, and what steps you can actually take? That can help you feel a little less overwhelmed and a lot more prepared as you move through your claim.
FAQ
Q: Can I correct information after I submit my SSDI application?
A. Yes. SSA allows applicants to report corrections after filing by phone, in person, and by mail. Field office and DDS staff then document those updates in your claim file using tools like Records of Contact, SSA‑795 statements, or SSA‑5002 reports, according to Program Operations Manual System (POMS) guidance outlined in GN 00205.015 (“Handling Changes and Additions on Applications”).
Q: How do I change my alleged onset date (AOD) if I realize the original date was wrong?
A. According to SSA’s onset‑policy guidance, you may request an amended AOD any time before DDS issues a medical determination. You can do this by contacting the field office by phone or in person, sending a written statement (such as an SSA‑795), providing information to DDS, or raising the issue at a hearing. SSA documents your original AOD, your amended alleged onset date (AAOD), and the reasons for the change in a Report of Contact or similar note. SSA Guidance for changing the Alleged Onset Date can be found in POMS DI 25501.230.
Q: Can I use Section 515 to force SSA to Correct my SSDI Application?
A. No. Section 515 deals with federal agency information‑quality standards and does not create a special process to correct individual SSDI applications or change disability decisions. Personal claim issues—like wrong dates, missing medical evidence, or disagreements with a denial—must be handled through SSA’s standard correction and appeals procedures. SSA and the Office of Management and Budget explain Section 515 in their information‑quality guidelines, which focus on agency‑level information rather than individual benefit claims. The SSA website specifically states “Do not seek correction of personal information through the Information Quality Act. To seek correction of information related to individual records, benefits, or earnings, please call us at 1-800-772-1213.”
References
Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Program Operations Manual System (POMS) GN 00205.015 – Correction of applications. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200205015
Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Program Operations Manual System (POMS) DI 25501.230 – Amended alleged onset date (AAOD). https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0425501230
Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Program Operations Manual System (POMS) GN 00301.305 – Statement(s) or opinions of claimant(s) or other person(s). https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200301305
Social Security Administration. (2024). Program Operations Manual System (POMS) DI 25501.200 – Overview of onset policy. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0425501200
Social Security Administration. (2022). Statement of claimant or other person (Form SSA‑795). https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-795.pdf
Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. (2024, January 25). Follow‑up: The Social Security Administration’s implementation of mail procedures (Audit Report No. 042312). https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/042312.pdf
Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. (2024, June 28). Reducing Processing Centers’ Pending Actions (Audit Report No. 022313). https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/022313.pdf
Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Section 515: Information quality guidelines. https://www.ssa.gov/515/index.htm
Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Section 515: Requests for correction of information. https://www.ssa.gov/515/requests.htm
Disclaimer & AI Ethical Statement
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. Consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.
AI Ethical Statement: This article includes information sourced from government and reputable health websites, reputable academic journals, non-profit organizations, and generated with help from AI. A human author has substantially edited, arranged, and reviewed all content, exercising creative control over the final output. People and machines make mistakes. Please contact us if you see a correction that needs to be made.
