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Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


How Long Does it Take To Get An Answer On A Social Security Application For Disability?


 
Once you file a Social Security application for disability, it is sent to a state disability agency for an initial disability determination. If an applicant’s disability application is based upon a terminal condition, there are special handling guidelines in place to process their disability claim quickly.

Disability applications based on terminal conditions are usually processed to completion in thirty days or less, so that the applicant will receive their disability benefits as soon as possible. Social Security has also created the quick disability determination (QDD) process which analyzes key data contained in the disability file. This analysis is used to predict which disability cases involve an applicant with a high probability of being disabled. Lastly, Social Security uses the compassionate allowance process to approve individuals with various cancers, ALS, Tay Sachs, and a multitude of other severe medical conditions quickly. There are eighty-eight impairments that qualify for the compassionate allowance process.

While these processes help disability applicants with the most severe medical conditions, they are not available to all who file an application for disability with Social Security. Most applicants have to wait about three to four months for a decision to be made, because the disability determination process can take time.

Once an applicant’s disability file is received by the state disability processing agency, it is assigned to an examiner. The disability examiner has to review the file to determine if there is enough current medical evidence in the file to make a disability determination. While Social Security disability examiners like to have at least a twelve month treatment history for an applicant’s disabling condition or conditions, they can make only make a determination on the medical evidence in file if there is at least some evidence that is no more than ninety days old. They will still request medical records from all the medical sources listed in the file, however if the records are not current they may still have to use a consultative examination to get current medical evidence for the applicant.

Social Security routinely sets goals to increase the speed at which disability applications are processed. Unfortunately, it takes time to get all the necessary evidence need to make a disability determination--especially if consultative examinations are involved. Coupled with a dramatic increase in disability applications across the country, it is not difficult to see why it takes so long to receive a disability decision.

If you file an application for disability with Social Security, you should be prepared for a wait unless you have a condition that might qualify for one of the streamline processes designed to help those with the most severe medical impairments.















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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers












    Topics and Questions


  • How Many Work Credits Do You Need To Have For SSI?

  • Does Your Doctor Decide If You Get Disability?

  • SSI Disability Application Wait Time

  • The Difference Between Social Security Disability and SSI Really Involves Work Activity

  • Will I Qualify For SSI, How Do I Get Approved?

  • Filing Disability Appeals- Reminders About the SSD, SSI Appeal Process

  • How Often Does Social Security Disability Review Cases?

  • The Social Security Disability SSI List of Impairments

  • The blue book listings, the social security disability impairment list

  • How are Social Security Disability Decisions made?

  • Social Security Disability Requirements

  • Application Requirements For Disability - What Do I Need To Start The Claim?

  • How to Claim Disability

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

  • How do I check the status of my Social Security disability claim ?

  • Who qualifies for disability benefits ?

  • Qualifying for disability benefits with the social security administration

  • Is there a trick to qualifying for disability benefits with social security?

  • Will I Qualify For SSI and How Do I Get Approved?












    Special Sections


  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Disability Benefits

  • Questions about Social Security Disability Approvals

  • Work Activity and Disability Benefits

  • Social Security and SSI Claim Reviews







    Return to Social Security Disability Resource Center


    Or click to one of the following:


    Return to -- Social Security disability decisions always include an appeal period which has a Time Limit

    Return to -- Once you file your disability claim with Social Security it is sent to a disability examiner - can you talk to this person?

    Return to -- The Social Security disability process allows individuals who are filing for disability to hire an attorney

    Return to -- Unfortunately, most people do need to see a judge to get disability benefits from Social Security

    Return to -- Social Security allows non-attorney disability representatives and disability attorneys to collect a fee of 25% of any back payment

    Return to -- For Social Security Disability your doctor statement needs to include a diagnosis, response to treatment, and a prognosis

    Return to -- How are SSD (Social Security disability) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income disability) similar?

    Return to -- Social Security has a defined disability evaluation process through which social security disability and SSI disability benefits are awarded

    Return to -- If I get social security disability, will my child receive benefits too?

    Return to -- Why Does It Take So Long To Get A return call From The Social Security Office?

    Return to -- Does Being Represented On A Disability Claim Win The Case Faster?

    Return to -- Applying for Disability according to state of residence

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI Blog ,

    Return to -- If an individual is receiving Social Security they can have as much money in the bank as they wish

    Return to -- There is no set time for an individual to be out of work prior to filing for Social Security disability

    Return to -- Everyone who files for social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) is entitled to file an appeal if their claim is denied

    Return to -- Picking a lawyer for SSDI or SSI (social security disability, supplemental security income)

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI List of Conditions and Impairments

    Return to -- Questions about Disability Lawyers

    Return to -- Social Security Disability Lawyers in Various States