How Long Does the Disability Approval Process Take?
The length of time it takes for them to receive a decision on their claim is a common complaint people have when they apply for disability benefits. The disability professionals at American Disability Action Group understand how frustrating waiting for disability benefits can be when a disabling medical condition prevents you from working.
Here is a look at the disability approval time you could face when applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs administered by the Social Security Administration. It includes reasons for delayed processing times and tips that may let you shorten them.
Processing Time For The SSI And SSDI Programs
SSI and SSDI provide long-term disability benefits for people with disabilities that have lasted or are expected to last for at least 12 months or are expected to result in death. According to the Social Security Administration, it generally takes 6 to 8 months in SSI and SSDI processing time to complete the initial application review.
It typically takes six to eight months to reach the point where a decision is sent to applicants, informing them whether their claim for disability benefits has been approved. However, it could take longer because of delays in processing the application.
Processing delays may occur for several reasons, but some of the common ones include the following:
- Inconsistent or missing information in the application.
- Nature of the disability.
- Your medical providers not responding promptly to requests by Social Security for documentation of your medical condition.
- Social Security needs to send you for an additional medical examination.
A disability attorney from ADA Group can help you avoid delays by reviewing the application to identify and address errors, missing information, or other issues before it is submitted. The attorney also monitors the progress of the review process to be aware of requests made by the Social Security Administration and take steps to ensure a timely response.
Don’t be surprised by an unfavorable initial decision. More than 65% of the applications received annually by Social Security result in a denial of the claim.
A denial of a claim after waiting months for a decision is frustrating, but giving up should not be your option for dealing with it. Consult with your disability attorney because challenging a denial of benefits may not be the only option available to you.
An appeal of an unfavorable claim could lead to a different outcome, but the appeal process takes time. Whether it’s worth it is a decision your ADA Group disability lawyer can help you to make based on the options available and what is best for you.
Processing Time For Appeals
The appeals process has four levels or steps:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ)
- Appeals Council review
- Federal court review
The appeals process begins with reconsideration, where a new claim examiner who was not involved in the original decision reviews the file to determine if denying the claim was the correct decision. An outcome that is favorable to you at any level puts an end to the appeal process and your pursuit of disability benefits.
Reconsideration generally takes 3 to 9 months for a decision. If your claim goes on to the hearing level, it adds to the SSI and SSDI processing time until you know whether the claim is approved.
After your disability attorney requests a hearing, it takes months to schedule a hearing date. How long it takes depends on the number of claims at your local hearing office. The SSI application timeline at the hearing level could be 8 to 9 months in some parts of the country just for a hearing date to be selected. It takes more time after the hearing for the ALJ to make a decision.
According to data released by the Social Security Administration, 50% of the claims heard by ALJs were approved. An adverse decision extends the disability benefits wait time even further, with appeals to the Appeals Council and, if necessary, to federal court. Throughout the process you can rely on the advice, guidance, and support you receive from the disability team at the ADA Group
Expediting The Approval Process
Social Security has programs to reduce the disability benefits timeline for approval. The Quick Disability Determinations and Compassionate Allowances programs utilize technology to screen applications and identify claimants with severe disabilities, whose claims can be expedited with approvals within days instead of months.
Consult The ADA Group For More Information About The Approval Process
The disability benefits team at the ADA Group is committed to giving you the best chance of achieving approval of your claim for disability benefits as quickly as possible. Discover how we could make a difference by contacting us for a free consultation and claim evaluation.