How Long Is The Social Security Disability Process?

How Long Will it Take to Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Probably the most difficult aspect of trying to win social security benefits based on disability is the fact that the process is long...very long. "Applying for disability", of course, is the easy part. You just go down to the social security office and fill out an application for benefits. But, then, the wait starts to find out the social security disability claim status.

The case gets sent to Disability Determination Services and they give the case to a disability examiner. The examiner starts by sending out letters to request medical records and, afterward, a case can literally sit there for months waiting for these records. This is why it's always a good idea to get the records on your own and submit them when you file your initial application.

If you get denied on your claim, and you usually will, you should immediately ask for a reconsideration. Unfortunately, the disability evaluation process for this is long as well.

How long do you wait on a reconsideration decision? Sometimes thirty days, and sometimes seven or eight months.

If you get denied on a reconsideration (social security disability approves less than 20 percent of these), you need to immediately file a request for hearing, bearing in mind that you don't want to attend a hearing without a lawyer or non-attorney representative at your side.

The hearing stage is where the wait gets really long. How long is the disability process at the hearing level? Well, you can sometimes get a hearing date set in as little as three or four months. But, usually, hearing dates take up to a year or longer. This is the worst part of what is already a long process.

Regarding the scheduling of disability hearings, there isn't much you can do to alleviate the wait. Judges do their own scheduling and, no matter how much you complain or call, it simply takes a long time. (however, note: another part of this website--the tips section--discusses dire need letters and contacting your congressman, ways that can potentially speed up your hearing request).

Plainly put, if you are thinking of going through the process for social security disability, you should realize that it may be quite some time before your case is approved for benefits. Which means that you should start the process immediately and not waste any time at all.

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