How Long Does it Take to Get Disability Benefits?
The length of time it takes for someone to get approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits ranges from approximately two months to more than three years.
Once you have applied for SSD or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) typically takes two to six months to make its initial determination. The amount of time for the decision varies based on how quickly your doctors provide requested records, whether or not you need to be scheduled for examinations by doctors from the SSA, and by the severity of your medical conditions.
If your application is initially denied, you have 60 days to file a Request for Reconsideration. At the Reconsideration level, decisions are typically issued within one to three months. Again, the amount of time will vary based upon how quickly your doctors provide records and whether or not you are scheduled for an examination by the SSA.
If you are denied yet again, you must file a Request for Hearing within 60 days. After this request is filed, a disability hearing will be scheduled. Unfortunately, due to the large backlog of claims, a hearing most likely will not be held for 18 to 24 months.
If your claim is denied after a hearing, the time frames for a successful decision widely vary. You could be approved on appeal within a year, or the various levels of appeals could drag on for two to three years.
If you have questions about SSD, SSI, or the disability benefits to which you may be entitled, please contact Herdman Yeager, LLC for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information on legal issues and is not a substitute for legal advice. Each individual claim is unique. To seek legal guidance, you should contact an attorney.