social security disability

Disability Claims Through Social Security — How Long is the Process?


 
If you have recently filed a claim for social security disability (SSD), it may take longer than you think to receive a decision in your case. While it is true the average time elapsed between the time you apply for disability and the time you receive a decision is about 90 days, many cases are not decided within this timeframe. It is not uncommon for it to take up to six months (or even longer) to receive a decision from disability determination services (DDS).

While it may be tempting to blame the slow pace on the disability examiner assigned to your case, it is far more likely that delays are caused by the failure of physicians and hospitals to forward medical records to the examiner in a timely fashion.

It may be hard to believe, but the disability examiner (who evaluates your level of disability based on information given in your medical records) has about as much incentive to process claims quickly as the claimants themselves. Examiners’ performance evaluations are based on the number of cases they are able to close over a given period of time.

If three to four months has passed since you filed for disability and you haven’t received word from DDS, call the social security office at which you filed the claim and ask if they can tell you if there has been a decision in your case. You can also ask them for the phone number to for the disability determination services in your area (this can go by a different name, but usually has the word disability somewhere in the title), because if you really want a detailed status of your disability case, this is where you need to call. DDS should be able to direct you to the disability examiner who is assigned to your case, who can tell you if the case is pending or if a decision has been reached on your disability application or reconsideration appeal.

It can also give you the chance to find out the nature of the delay in your case—if your examiner is having difficulty getting records from a particular physician, you may want to call the doctor’s office yourself, and (politely!) remind them that DDS has made a request for your records.














How the programs really work:  

Social Security Disability and SSI Disability

Including Tips, Advice, Strategies & Common mistakes to avoid.










Topics and Questions


  • Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?

  • Working while getting Disability - is it possible?

  • Disability Benefits and Being Severely Disabled

  • What physicians and claimants should know about Social Security Disability

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

  • A medical source statement for a Social Security Disability Case

  • Social Security Disability Questions

  • Social Security Disability - The claimant's ability to work

  • How is my social security disability benefit calculated ?

  • Letters from doctors for Social Security Disability

  • The Disability Decision Process and What gets taken into Consideration

  • Social Security Disability Primary Insured amount?

  • Why do social security disability claims take so long?

  • Information about Social Security Disability SSI and Mental Claims

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • Will Social Security deny my disability claim if I am working ?

  • How is Social Security Disability Awarded?

  • The Social Security Disability Five Month Waiting Period

  • Social Security Disability Medical Records

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Claim Reviews

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • Social Security Disability SSI - Mental and Physical Residual Functional Capacity

  • Social Security Disability Representation

  • What are the SSI disability qualifications for Adults and Children?

  • Qualifications for Social Security Disability

  • The Medical Requirements for Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI

  • How To Get SSDI Approved

  • Do you file for Social Security Disability or SSI?

  • Doing the SSDI Appeal Online

  • Can my Social Security Disability or SSI benefits be stopped or cutoff ?

  • Apply for Disability with Depression

  • Can an individual qualify for Social Security disability or SSI on the basis of anxiety or panic attacks ?

  • SSI Social Security Disability and Back Pain

  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed?

  • Can you apply for disability on the basis of multiple health problems ?

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • If you get denied for disability do you have to file a new application ?

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

  • What is the Role of a Social Security Disability Representative?

  • How is SSI different from Social Security Disability?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Appeal

  • How should I prepare for a disability hearing with Social Security ?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Denied

  • How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?

  • Medical Records Social Security Disability

  • Social Security Hearing- How do I Request one, how long will it take?

  • Advice for How to Win Social Security

  • How to Prepare For a Social Security Disability SSI Hearing

  • How does a Medical Source Statement (RFC Form) help win a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim?

  • Can I get my Social Security Disability Hearing Request Expedited, Speeded up?

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability SSI

  • Social Security Disability Attorney- do I need one to win my case?

  • Social Security Medical Exam

  • Social Security Disability SSI - Eligibility Requirements and Criteria to Qualify

  • Request for a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • Will a Social Security Judge give You an Immediate Decision at the Disability Hearing?

  • Social Security Disability Facts

  • The Social Security Continuing Disability Review

  • How long does it take to get an answer on a Social Security Reconsideration Appeal?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

  • What are Social Security Disability and SSI Concurrent Benefits?

  • What happens if you are working when you file for disability or after you apply for disability?

  • If You Are 62, Should You File For Social Security or Social Security Disability?

  • Do You Qualify For SSDI Benefits from SSA? (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability

  • Why was I denied social security disability?

  • Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

  • Social Security Disability Doctor, Supportive Statements

  • What Are the Chances of Winning an SSA Disability Appeal?

  • Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Requesting a Disability Hearing After You are Denied

  • What makes a person eligible to receive disability benefits?

  • How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?












    Special Sections


  • Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability SSI Application Process

  • Filing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • Social Security Disability SSI Decisions

  • What is considered a Disabling condition?

  • The Disability Decision Process

  • Winning Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Getting Denied for Disability







    Return to SSI, Social Security Disability Benefits Center