If you have been diagnosed with a physical and/or mental condition and it’s preventing you from working in any capacity, you may be wondering how long it may be before you are approved for Social Security disability benefits
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
Today we’re going to discuss one of the most common questions that I talk about, which is how long it takes to be approved for Social Security disability benefits. Unfortunately, the amount of time that it can take to be approved for Social Security disability benefits can vary depending on many factors. The first factor is the initial application process, which can take anywhere from three to five months – and sometimes even longer! During this time, the Social Security Administration is reviewing your application and medical records to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for SSDI or SSI benefits. We are seeing some initial applications take as long as a year or more. The Agency has been working to reassign staff from other parts of the agency to the state agencies to review and evaluate initial applications, so hopefully those situations tend to become few and far between.
If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision. This would of course add more time to the process. The second factor is the appeals process, which can take 24 months or longer to complete. There are four levels of appeal, starting with the reconsideration appeal, then a hearing by an administrative law judge, potentially an Appeals Council review, and potentially a federal court review. The amount of time it takes at each of these appeal stages can vary but the hearing level right now is typically taking the longest.
It’s also important to note that the length of the process can depend on the backlog of cases in your local Social Security office or your local hearing office. The Social Security Administration has implemented several initiatives to attempt to reduce the backlog of cases – including hiring more staff and using technology to streamline the process – but it’s important to be patient and understand that the process can take some time, which I understand is much easier said than done!
To sum up, the amount of time that it can take to be approved for SSDI or SSI benefits can vary depending on several factors. These factors include how long your case takes at each of the levels and the backlog at your local office or hearing office. While the process can be lengthy, it’s important to remain patient and follow up with the Social Security Administration or your attorney to ensure that your case is moving forward.
Thanks so much for watching. If you’re disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link here or give us a call directly for a free consultation where we discuss your case and see what I can do to help you.
