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How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

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How long does it take to get a social security disability hearing decision?


 
The answer to this question varies as much as the answer to the question, "How long does it take to get a decision on an application for disability?". The truth is that there is simply no way to know, following the holding of a hearing before an administrative law judge, just how long it will take to receive a decision.

When it comes to initial claims (i.e. disability applications), decisions are generally received within 120 days from the date of filing. However, decisions can take much much longer due to the following factors:

1. The time it takes a disability examiner to gather a claimant's medical records.

2. Whether or not a consultative examination (another way of saying a social security physical or mental exam) will need to be scheduled before a decision can be made.

3. How quickly the claimant responds to requests for information (such as for additional information regarding the claimant's medical treatment sources, work history, and activities of daily living).

When it comes to getting a social security disability hearing decision, however, the length of time it takes to get a decision letter is dependent on how backed up the hearing office is. After a hearing has been held and a judge has decided the outcome for a case, an individual at the hearing office known as a decision writer will need to compile the notice of decision that will be sent to the claimant (informing them that they have been approved or denied for benefits).

However, decision writers are often considerably backed up due to the tremendous volume of cases being brought to hearings. For this reason, even if a disability judge manages to make a fairly quick decision on a case, it may still take months longer for the claimant to receive notification of a decision.

What should a claimant do if their hearing was held months ago and no decision notice has been received? Contact the hearing office where the hearing was held and ask for an update. Better yet, of course, if the claimant was represented at the hearing, the representative should contact the hearing office and ask for a status update.














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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

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    Individual Questions and Answers


  • Will You Get Social Security Disability Benefits If You Cannot Work Your Old Job?

  • What Happens If I Miss My Social Security Appeal Date?

  • Does social security care if you are working when you are applying for disability?

  • If you are Denied for Disability, Should you File a new Application or File an Appeal of the Denial?

  • Submitting a Social Security Disability Appeal is usually Good Advice

  • Medical Evidence Used on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim

  • What Happens if a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim gets Denied on a Reconsideration Appeal?

  • Social Security Disability Requirements

  • Do Disability Lawyers Require A Retainer?

  • How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

  • What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability?

  • How Many Disability Hearings are Won?

  • How Do You Avoid A Social Security Disability Overpayment?

  • Are Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

  • What Happens If You File A Late Social Security Appeal?

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

  • How Long Will My Case Be at the Social Security Hearing Office Before It gets Scheduled?

  • Social Security Disability Children Benefits

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

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

  • For Social Security Disability, What Does It Mean When Your Case Gets Sent Out For Review?

  • What Does It Mean If you Are Denied For Disability Because Of Other Work?

  • Supplemental Security Income - SSI Disability

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

  • Will An Attorney Be More Successful On A Social Security Appeal?

  • How Disabled Must You be to get Social Security Disability Approved?

  • Are there ways to avoid being denied for SSI or social security disability?

  • Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up

  • What tools are used by a Social Security Disability Examiner to Make a Claim Decision?

  • Who Makes the Decision at the Social Security Disability, SSI Hearing Level?














    Special Sections


  • The Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • Social Security Disability SSI Tips and Advice

  • Disability Benefits for Children

  • Information for Winning Disability Benefits







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