Is Winning Disability From Social Security Quickly Really Possible?

There is no denying that some disability claimants receive quick approvals from Social Security. “Quick” disability claim approvals generally involve disability claimants who have conditions that are likely to result in death (i.e. certain types of cancer, genetic disorders, etc), or conditions that meet or equal an impairment listing in the Social Security disability handbook. Most of these disability claims will be approved within thirty days, and those disability claimants who have a terminal condition may win disability benefits even sooner.

However, most disability claims take somewhat longer to receive a decision. In fact, most disability claimants who do not meet or equal a listing have to begin the Social Security disability appeal process to win their disability.

Why is this the case? Most disability claims do not meet or equal a listing, so other factors such as age, education, and residual functional capacity (what an individual is capable of doing in spite of the limitations caused by their disabling impairments) must be taken into consideration when making a Social Security disability medical decision. Social Security has a set of medical vocational guidelines that are used to help make Social Security disability decisions uniform across the country. These guidelines take into account an individual’s age, education, work history, and residual functional capacity. If an individual meets the criteria of a medical vocational guideline, they will most likely win disability benefits.

So why do so many disability claimants have to pursue their disability claims to the administrative law judge hearing level? The answer is a simple one. The medical vocational grid does not provide for an easy approval for disability claimants. Actually, most disability claimants do not meet the vocational grid criteria either.

Now the question is what makes the administrative law judge hearing appeal more productive for disability claimants? Administrative law judges have more flexibility in making their medical determinations, and they do not have other decision makers reviewing their decisions on a daily basis. Social Security disability examiners have unit physicians, case consultants, and unit managers reviewing their decisions. Consequently, fewer disability claims are won at the initial disability claim and reconsideration appeal level than the administrative law judge hearing.

So is winning disability from Social Security quickly possible? Yes, but generally the disability process is a lengthy process that takes a considerable amount of time if you do not have a terminal condition or you do not meet or equal a listing in the Social Security disability handbook.








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