How Long can it Take to get an SSD Hearing (social security disability)
Depending on where you live in the country, it can take 1-2 years after you request a social security disability hearing. It takes a long time, in general, to get a hearing date after a hearing has been requested because the system is heavily backlogged. And it takes longer in certain parts of the country because some areas have greater backlogs.
Two years is an exceedingly long time to wait. And during this time it is very likely that most claimants will suffer irreparable financial harm. That, unfortunately, is just the logical and expected outcome of having to go through a social security disability appeal process that takes years.
An article in the Lawrence Journal detailed the situation in Kansas where in Kansas city it can take an average of 719 days to get a hearing, yet in wichita it can take an average of 516 days---an incredibly long amount of time, but far less by comparison.
Because it takes so long to get a hearing date, claimants who are filing for disability should keep the following in mind:
1. If you get denied for disability, always appeal your claim and do it in a timely manner. Timely means within the 60 day timeframe (actually,its 65 since SSA gives you five days for mailing). Failing to meet the appeal deadline can mean having to start over with a new claim.
2. Don't just file an appeal timely, file it quickly. Meaning: as soon as you get a notice of denial, send in your appeal within a week. Waiting just adds more time to your case.
3. Get representation if you are requesting a hearing or have already requested a hearing. The need for representation can be debatable at the lower levels (application for disability and request for reconsideration). However, at the hearing level, it is very very unwise to appear unrepresented. And doing so can effectively throw away one's chance of winning benefits. And, as we've said, hearings take a long time to get to...too long to finally appear at one not having properly prepared.
4. Do not, under any circumstances, aside from medical emergency, miss your hearing date. This last one should be self-explanatory.
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Social Security Disability Secrets
Social Security Disability Benefits Questions
Additional Posts
Disability denied
You Should Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial quickly
Disability denied?
Application for disability
Definition of disability, what makes you qualified to receive disability?
Two years is an exceedingly long time to wait. And during this time it is very likely that most claimants will suffer irreparable financial harm. That, unfortunately, is just the logical and expected outcome of having to go through a social security disability appeal process that takes years.
An article in the Lawrence Journal detailed the situation in Kansas where in Kansas city it can take an average of 719 days to get a hearing, yet in wichita it can take an average of 516 days---an incredibly long amount of time, but far less by comparison.
Because it takes so long to get a hearing date, claimants who are filing for disability should keep the following in mind:
1. If you get denied for disability, always appeal your claim and do it in a timely manner. Timely means within the 60 day timeframe (actually,its 65 since SSA gives you five days for mailing). Failing to meet the appeal deadline can mean having to start over with a new claim.
2. Don't just file an appeal timely, file it quickly. Meaning: as soon as you get a notice of denial, send in your appeal within a week. Waiting just adds more time to your case.
3. Get representation if you are requesting a hearing or have already requested a hearing. The need for representation can be debatable at the lower levels (application for disability and request for reconsideration). However, at the hearing level, it is very very unwise to appear unrepresented. And doing so can effectively throw away one's chance of winning benefits. And, as we've said, hearings take a long time to get to...too long to finally appear at one not having properly prepared.
4. Do not, under any circumstances, aside from medical emergency, miss your hearing date. This last one should be self-explanatory.
Return to:
Additional Posts
Disability denied
You Should Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial quickly
Disability denied?
Application for disability
Definition of disability, what makes you qualified to receive disability?
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