Waiting for Your Disability Decision

By the time most Social Security Disability and SSI benefit claimants receive a decision on disability benefits, their financial situation is precarious at best. Most of the time, this is unavoidable, but some situations can be helped by simply knowing a few facts. First, realize from the getgo that you will most likely need to file an appeal before your case can be won, and the appeals process can take up to a year and a half to finish. Second, plan ahead financially at the outset, meaning avoid new debts and obligations and, perhaps, restructure current debts and obligations. Third, consider filing for other benefits that you might be eligible for, such as food stamps or other public assistance.

Checking the Status of Your Disability Application

Status on a Disability Claim or Case

Checking the status of your Social Security disability claim can help speed up your case.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision for Social Security Disability?

It can take a month to two years to get approved for disability benefits. The more serious your disability is, the more likely you are to get approved quickly.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision After a Disability Hearing?

Find out the estimated waiting period for a decision from an ALJ after a Social Security Disability hearing.
Phone Number to Check the Status of a Social Security Disability Decision

Call your local DDS or OHO office, not the Social Security field office, to check the status of your claim.

Other Public Benefits

Ways to Get Short-Term Disability Benefits

Only a few states provide temporary disability benefits, though workers' comp and private employer-funded disability insurance do as well.
Interim Public Assistance While Waiting for SSI

Most states offer loans when you apply for SSI if you promise to pay it back with your SSI benefits.
Financial Assistance While Waiting on Disability

There is help available while you're waiting for Social Security or SSI disability payments, but you have to piece it together.

Questions Asked While Waiting for a Disability Decision

Can I Collect Unemployment While Waiting for Social Security Disability?

It is understandable that an individual might like to file for Social Security disability while receiving unemployment. However, this can be a tricky situation. Social Security...
Working After Your Social Security Disability Onset Date

If you work after your disability onset date or application date, your benefits might be at stake.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Social Security Disability Award Letter?

When will I receive my disability award letter from Social Security?
If a Disability Decision Takes Longer Is That a Good Sign or a Bad Sign?

In actuality, whether a disability decision (ssd or ssi) takes longer or shorter than the average processing times quoted by the social security office makes no difference...
Why Does Social Security Take So Long to Make a Decision on an SSDI Claim?

Social Security disability cases take a long time due to medical record requests and waiting for an ALJ to hear your case.
Disability: No Health Insurance, No Medications, What To Do?

People who can't work often can't pay for medicines or doctors.
What Is the Five-Month Waiting Period for Social Security Disability?

Applicants who are approved for Social Security disability lose the first five month of benefits.
Why Do Social Security Disability & SSI Cases Take Forever?

Why do Social Security Disability Cases Take So Long to Decide? Disability cases handled by the Social Security Administration always seem to take forever to process. Why...

Expedited Disability Benefits

Social Security Compassionate Allowances List

Certain serious and easily provable conditions are eligible for expedited approval through the Compassionate Allowance program.
Quick Disability Determination Process for Social Security Disability Cases

The Quick Disability Determination Process allows some claimants to get disability benefits much faster than the regular process.
Filing for Presumptive Disability Benefits

Presumptive disability payments provide you with support while the SSA completes its review of your disability claim.

Social Security Disability Notices and Awards

The Award Letter

Here's what you'll find out in your Social Security disability award letter.
Notice of a Decision for a Social Security Disability Case

How you'll be notified about Social Security's decision on your disability benefits depends on in what stage in the application process you are.

Talk to a Disability Lawyer

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