Has my Disability Claim Been Approved?This question comes up now and then. And it is a valid one since there are many instances in which the social security administration will send out a notice of disapproved claim (a denial notice) which a claimant will never receive. And when that happens there is every danger of not being able to file a disability appeal in a timely manner because how can a person appeal when they don't even know they've been denied? It stands to reason that there are times when a claimant has been notified of an approval for a disability claim but have not received the notice. On initial claims (an initial claim is a disability application) and on reconsiderations, where the decision has been made by a disability examiner, a claimant will receive formal notification from the social security administration. On a case that has been approved by a judge at a disability hearing, a claimant will receive a separate notice of decision, followed by a notice of award. Fortunately, as opposed to a situation involving a denial of a claim, if your case is approved but you did not receive notification, you will eventually learn of the approval when a check from the social security administration (for back pay or a monthly benefit) has been deposited in the bank account you designated. Additionally, if you were represented by a disability attorney, the attorney will usually contact you as soon as they receive a copy of the notification of approval. If your case has been pending for quite some time and you have not heard anything, you should contact your disability representative, assuming you have one, and ask them to do a followup for a status update on your case. For cases that are being decided at the first two levels, this means that your representative will likely make a call to the disability determination services agency in your state. If the case is pending at the hearing level (meaning that it is waiting to be scheduled for a Social Security Disability hearing, or a hearing has been held and you are waiting on a decision from the ALJ, or administrative law judge), then your representative's office will contact the hearing office. If you are not represented by a disability lawyer, you can make these same calls yourself to ascertain the status of your case. The number for DDS and the number for the hearing office can be obtained from the social security office where you filed your claim. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Do I Qualify For Disability in North Carolina? Has my Disability Claim Been Approved? Social Security Disability Tips - how a claim gets worked on Advice to Win Social Security Disability and SSI Benefit Claims How Quickly Is The Disability Claim Decision Made? What is the SSI and Social Security Disability Application Wait Time? How do you get an SSI disability application and Claim started? Avoiding Mistakes to get your Disability Claim Approved How to Claim Disability Benefits through Social Security How to claim disability benefits in North Carolina If you get Social Security Disability and go back to work, do you have to pay anything back? SSI, household income, parental income, and living arrangements Getting a Disability Lawyer in Georgia Denied Disability Appeal Georgia |
