The process involved with applying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) can be stressful. People who apply for SSDI are unable to work and are likely concerned about how they will make ends meet. It’s understandable if you’re wondering, “How long does a Social Security disability claim take?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer to this question. The length of time that it will take to resolve your SSDI claim will depend on multiple factors.
When you file an initial claim, it will take from one to three months to be processed. A small minority of applicants are approved on their initial claims. For these people, it will take three or fewer months to be approved for Social Security disability benefits. Most people’s initial claims are denied, however. If you fall into the latter group, your claim will have to go through the appeal process, which will lengthen the time that it will take for you to receive SSDI benefits.
Your medical records may also impact the speed of your SSDI claim. If your doctors take too long to submit the records that have been requested, you might be able to get copies and submit them with your application. If you do not have enough medical evidence of your disability and how it affects you in your medical records, you might be required to undergo a review with a doctor who has contracted with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Depending on when your appointment is scheduled, waiting to see the SSA doctor can delay your claim. Make sure to keep the appointment so that your claim for benefits is not denied.
Your state may also impact how long it takes for your SSDI claim to be approved. There is a larger backlog in some states than others. If there is a long backlog of claims in your state, you can anticipate waiting for longer. Resolving Social Security disability claims on appeal can take between a few months and several years.
Clearly several factors can influence the answer to the question “How long does a Social Security disability claim take?” While your SSDI claim can take a long time to resolve, there are several things that you can do to help accelerate the process. If you do the following, you can reduce the time it might take for your claim to be completed:
Some conditions are considered to be so severely disabling that they undergo a fast-track process, which is called the Compassionate Allowances program. If you have one of these types of conditions, it might take days for you to receive approval rather than waiting for months or years. According to the SSA, an estimated 600,000 people have been approved for benefits through the fast-track process. The types of conditions that are eligible for the Compassionate Allowances program include certain types of aggressive cancer, rare genetic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune diseases. This program is designed to help people who need benefits the most, but it also helps to reduce the backlog of cases and speed the process for others.
When you apply for SSDI, you will need to be patient. It can take a long time for your claim to be approved. An attorney from Ellis & Associates can help you gather all of the evidence and documents to support your claim, which might help you speed up the process. Contact us today to request an appointment by calling 800-MR-ELLIS or sending us a message online.
Motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy the sense of freedom they derive from riding on the open roads…
Knowing what to do after a car crash can be difficult. You might be confused,…
As a driver, you risk an accident each time you get behind the wheel of…
Following a car accident, you might have noticed nearby traffic cameras at the scene that…
Over the past decade, autonomous vehicle technology has been increasingly studied and implemented. Google, Tesla,…
If you're involved in a motor vehicle collision that wasn't your fault, you might have…