How Long Does It Typically Take to Get Disability Benefits Approved?

Waiting isn’t often easy. This is true in many aspects of life, and it is certainly true when waiting for a decision on your claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. If you’re unable to work because of a disability and you’re experiencing a significant amount of financial stress. As a result, you may want to know when you can expect a decision on your claim. Let’s take a closer look at the process together.

An Overview of the Claims Process

Applying for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration can involve several stages. The amount of time it could take to get benefits will depend on how many of these stages your claim goes through. The process generally includes:

• First application: Filing an initial claim with the Social Security Administration will include gathering and providing evidence and documentation to prove that you have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered you unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more. Such documentation may include employment records, medical records, and other information, depending upon your particular circumstances. The SSA will then review your application and issue an initial decision. This process usually takes at least three to five months, although it can be longer if the SSA is particularly busy. Applicants are often denied the first time, so if this happens to you, you shouldn’t panic. Instead, you should continue to move through the process with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney on your side.
• Petition for reconsideration: If your initial application is denied, you will typically have approximately 60 days to request for reconsideration. After your request for reconsideration is filed, an SSA representative will evaluate your request and issue a decision, which may take another three to five months.
• Appeals Council: If an ALJ ultimately denies your application during the hearing phase, you can request that the Appeals Council review your case. Pursuing an appeal at this level will typically add at least several more months to your timeline.
• Federal court review: If the appeals counsel again denies your application, you can make a final appeal by seeking a federal court review. This is often the longest and most complex phase of the appeal process.

If your claim is denied at all appeal levels, you may want to choose to wait until you have new evidence to present and then file an entirely new claim. Understandably, making this decision involves consideration of many factors, and consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney will be essential.

Checking the Status of Your Claim

If you submitted your application several months ago and haven’t heard from the Social Security Administration, you may want to check the status of your claim and wonder how to do so. The easiest way is usually to go to the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov and visit the Application Status Information page.

Once you’ve arrived at the page, you’ll need to have your Social Security number and your application confirmation number to check the status. While checking the status online may be a fairly quick process, continuing to push and pursue your claim as you need to can often be more difficult. For this and many other reasons, you need an attorney on your side who knows the law and can help to ensure that your claim is being processed efficiently each step of the way. At Disability Experts, we’re here for you.

What Happens After You’re Approved?

If you have successfully submitted a claim and been approved for disability benefits, it’s understandable that you probably want those benefits to begin as soon as possible. After all, they can make a tremendous difference in relieving financial stress.

It’s important to remember that there is a five-month waiting period between the specific date that the Social Security Administration determined that your disability began and the time that your first payment is earned. This back benefits payment is often paid separately from your first monthly benefit payment, although they should arrive within fairly close proximity to one another.

Call Disability Experts Today

When you’re struggling with a disability and you’re unable to work and earn money as you normally would, every day can be stressful. It can be overwhelming and scary to wonder when — or if – you will be approved for disability benefits. At Disability Experts, we understand that, and it’s why we’re here to help. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you soon.