What Kind of Wait Should a Social Security Disability Claimant Anticipate?

Q: If you are still denied social security disability benefits after a hearing, is that the end for your claim?
A: You can appeal further, if you do not agree with the decision given by the judge for your case. The appropriate next step is to have your case reviewed by the Appeals Council. After you file to have your claim reviewed, one of three outcomes will occur. If the Appeals Council agrees with the hearing verdict, it will not grant any further review. It may decide the case needs to go through a second hearing and will send the case back to the court to have it heard by a different judge. Lastly, the council may review your claim and make a decision about awarding social security disability insurance without involving another hearing or judge. A claimant who is not awarded benefits after an Appeals Council review, may bring a lawsuit through the Federal district courts. The majority of claimants whose cases are heard before an administrative judge have a social security disability lawyer on their side. Those who were not represented by an attorney when their claims went through the hearing would be wise to contact one before any request for review is filed.
Q: What is the typical amount of time it takes for you to hear whether your application for social security disability benefits was approved or denied?
A: The average wait time after an initial application for social security disability is anywhere from 3 to 6 months. That being said, many cases take longer. The biggest cause of delays is when medical documentation and information is incomplete or not received. A large number of claims are denied social security benefits after the initial review process. The next step for those cases is to file for reconsideration. Claimants denied after reconsideration can file an appeal to have their claims heard before an administrative judge. Once a decision on a claim is rendered by a judge, a claimant could have been waiting for a year or two. It is difficult, therefore, to determine how long any particular claim might take before a decision to award benefits is made. On the bright side, there are applicants who are awarded benefits after the initial review process and only wait a couple months.
Q: Do you have to file in person when you submit a social security disability application, or can you do it via the web?
A: Social Security accepts applications for disability through their web site, and you can download all related required forms online too. Visit http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability to learn more.