This information may help claimants with representation, as well as claimants who are not represented by an attorney or non attorney representative. Understanding how the Social Security Disability system works can make the difference between winning or not winning the continuing disability benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. To win a claim for ongoing and past due benefits, claimants should learn about the disability process to improve the chances of winning benefits. |
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How long is the disability process for Social Security? 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. 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, afterwards, 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 immmediately ask for a reconsideration. Unfortunately, the 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. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 1 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 2 |
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If you suffer from a medical disability such as hip, neck, shoulder, ankle, wrist, back, or other joint problems, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rsi or repetetive stress injury, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, dysthymia, depression or other mood disorders, congestive or chronic heart failure, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), seizure disorder, stroke, copd, emphysema, hearing loss or poor hearing, statutory blindness, peripheral field problems or other vision loss, clinical obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity or, simply, adhd, bipolar disorder or manic depression, panic disorder, schizophrenia, autism, head trauma, memory loss, low iq, mental retardation, learning disability, epilepsy, cancer, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, lupus, anxiety, inner ear problems, meniere's, vertigo or dizziness, kidney failure requiring dialysis or other renal problems, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or other liver disease, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, rsd or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, peripheral vascular disease, lyme disease, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hiv, aids, anemia, sickle cell, thyroid problems including hypothyroidism, esrd or end stage renal disease, reflux, gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease), cfids, muscular dystrophy, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or tachycardia, bradycardia or other arrhythmia and have initiated or been denied on a social security disability, or ssi, claim for benefits, this site may assist you with your case. Social Security Disability benefits are often difficult to win; however many claims for social security disability are lost simply because a claimant did not know enough about the disability process to their social security or ssi claim. For information re: representation on a social security disability or ssi claim (attorney or non attorney representative), see the "questions" & "how" pages. |
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