SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


How Quickly Is The Disability Claim Decision Made?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
It is impossible to determine how quickly a disability claim decision can be made. Social Security creates yearly case processing goals for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI disability) decisions. But while SSA strives to achieve timely processing goals, each claim is unique.

Some disability claims already have enough medical information in the file, thus enabling a faster decision to be made. However, most disability claims require the following to make a disability decision:

A) Medical record development (obtaining medical records can be very time consuming).

B) Consultative medical examinations (it takes time to get an appointment and receive the examination report from the consultative medical professional).

C) Activities of daily living questionnaires.

It takes longer to make a disability decision that requires extra development such as consultative examinations, or on disability claims in which medical treatment sources are slow to send medical records.

Also, it takes longer for disability cases that involve a recent heart attack or stroke, or eye surgery. If a disability claimant has had a heart attack or stroke, their claim is generally deferred and held for nearly ninety days before a decision can be made. Why? Social Security thinks an individual’s maximum medical improvement can be assessed within ninety days of the medical incident.

Once a decision is made, the claim is returned to the disability applicant’s local Social Security office for adjudication. In recent years, disability processing time has become a public relations issue for Social Security, especially at the administrative law judge hearing appeal level. Intense public scrutiny has prompted Social Security to improve claim processing time at all levels of the disability process from the initial disability claim level through the administrative law judge hearing level. However, the best way to reduce the wait time is to do the following:

1. If you have a serious medical impairment, do not "think" about filing for disability. Instead, get the claim filed and "in the pipeline" because, depending on any number of variables, wait times could lengthen at some point.

2. Do not wait until the end of an appeal period...to file a disability appeal. In other words, even though social security gives you 60 days to file an appeal after you receive denial letter, you should not wait. You should get the appeal sent in immediately to reduce your total waiting time.

3. If you get scheduled for a social security medical examination, do not miss the appointment. Missing an appointment for a CE, or consultative exam, can add a month or more to the total processing time for your case.














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Topics and Questions


  • Are SSI and SSD disability claims denied by social security for lack of evidence?

  • Working and Disability - Are You Allowed to Work While Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • What if you Move out of State after you apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?

  • Qualifying for Disability - What is Social Security Looking for?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Pennsylvania

  • Does Social Security Disability prefer Current Medical Records for SSDI and SSI claims?

  • To get a Social Security Disability or SSI Award do you have to have a Permanent Disability?

  • How Long Does It Take For An Answer To Qualify For Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • How does work qualify you for social security disability ?

  • What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • How severe must your condition be to be awarded Social Security disability?

  • How does Social Security Disability get Information about your past work?

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal ?

  • How does the Social Security Disability Review work?

  • I Need To Apply For SSI or SSD But I Do Not Know Where to Start?

  • Social Security Administration Mental Consultative Exam (CE)

  • How to apply for social security disability benefits for children

  • Filing for SSI Disability

  • Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

  • Getting a Social Security Disability Representative for your case

  • Medical Disability- How does Social Security view your work and medical records

  • The SSD, Social Security Disability Date of Application

  • Can You Avoid Being Denied on a Social Security Disability Claim?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Terms and Definitions

  • Qualifying for disability benefits with the social security administration

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial – How Often Is This Successful?

  • Do I Have A Good Chance Of Winning Social Security Disability On Appeal?

  • Steps for Filing A Disability Claim Under SSI or SSD

  • Getting Social Security Disability Help for your Case

  • Filing for SSD Disability - When Should You put in a Claim?

  • When a person that has been receiving SSD monthly payments dies, how is the last payment made?

  • How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid ?

  • Disability Criteria - Eligibility For Social Security and SSI Disability

  • Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

  • Do You Automatically Get Approved For Disability If You Have Had A Stroke?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Georgia

  • How does Social Security determine if I am disabled or not?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials