“Why does it take so long?” is a common question about the Social Security Disability approval time. When a disability prevents you from working, financial struggles make it hard to patiently wait.
It doesn’t help knowing that almost 70% of the applications that go through the Social Security disability approval process initially result in a denial of benefits. An explanation of the waiting times and disability review process may help enhance your understanding of what happens when you apply benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Wait Times, According To The Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration reports it takes three to five months for your application to result in an initial determination. If your claim is approved during the initial review process, there is a five-month waiting period before the start of disability benefit payments.
A denial of benefits can be appealed, but challenging an unfavorable outcome takes additional time. Appealing a decision adds from six months to two years to the waiting time for disability benefits, but the wait to overturn an unfavorable outcome and get the disability benefits you need may be worth it.
Overview Of The Application Process
Wait times may be longer or shorter depending on the number of applications at the local Social Security office handling your claim. SSDI applications first go to a local office for review to determine if claimants have a long enough work history with Social Security taxes paid on the money they earned.
The file is then transferred to the Disability Determination Services, a state agency funded by the federal government that reviews medical evidence to determine if it proves the person is disabled and unable to work. The file then goes back to the local office of Social Security for an eligibility decision and notification to the claimant.
Common causes of delays occurring at the Disability Determination Services (DDS) include:
- Type of disabling medical conditions and a need for an additional medical examination.
- Failure of your medical providers to reply promptly to DDS requests for medical records.
- Selection of the application for a quality control review.
Some claims for benefits may be expedited to reduce the SSDI application processing time.
Expedited Processing Of SSDI Claims
The Social Security Administration makes an effort to identify disability benefit claims entitled to expedited processing. For example, a notation made in the remarks section of an application that the claimant is homeless results it receiving expedited processing. Other circumstances for expedited processing include:
- Compassionate Allowances: Social Security recognizes hundreds of medical conditions clearly meeting the disability standard used to determine eligibility for SSDI benefits, including certain cancers and other severe medical conditions. When one of the conditions is identified, the application receives expedited processing.
- Terminal Illness: Medical conditions known to be untreatable and expected to result in death are flagged for expedited processing.
- Dire Need: Claimants in dire financial need may request expedited processing of their claim by submitting a letter explaining their situation.
Veterans with 100% Permanent and Total disability ratings from the Veterans Administration and those injured while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, may be eligible for expedited processing of their SSDI claims by notifying Social Security.
Steps You Can Take To Shorten Processing Time
Errors or missing information in an application cause delays and denials of claims. Taking your time and being as thorough as possible is the best way to ensure that your application moves through the review process without the need for a claims examiner to request additional information or clarification.
Quickly responding to information requests from Social Security and ensuring that your medical providers make the same cuts down on the time it takes for your claim to be processed. Working with a disability representative gives someone experience in the application and appeal processes to review your application, communicate with your doctors, and handle appeals.
