Can an SSI or SSDI disability claim take five years to complete?   An individual on a website seemed to believe this was the case, that an SSI disability claim typically takes five years. Is this true? With the backlogs that exist today at the disability hearing level, it may take, start to finish, about three years and may stretch out to nearly four years. However, this time frame depends on a number of different factors: 1. Did the claimant get denied on a disability application? 2. Did the claimant likewise get denied on a reconsideration request? 3. Did the claimant request a disability hearing? 4. Does the claimant reside in a part of the country where the local hearing office has a substantial backlog? There are, of course, other mediating factors. There are some claimants who seem to stay stuck in the disability sytem for five years or longer. But sometimes this happens because a claimant will repeatedly file new disability applications instead of filing appeals. Usually, of course, a claimant who does this will simply get denied again and again. Also, there are cases in which a claimant may get denied at the initial claim level, get denied at the reconsideration level, request a hearing, get denied at the hearing and then start over again and complete the entire process a second time. In some cases, this happens when a claimant is not represented. In other cases, a represented claimant may have been advised that an appeals council remand is unlikely to occur (the appeals council is the third appeal level in the system and the appeals council may reverse a judge's denial or require the judge to hear the case again at a remanded hearing), thus making it necessary to start the process all over again. Generally speaking, however, claimants who are A. not approved at the initial claim or reconsideration level and B. request a disability hearing will spend about three years "in the system" fighting to win disability benefits from social security. 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: When does a case go to the Social Security Disability review board? How long will an SSI or SSDI disability claim take? Using a lawyer to potentially speed up the disability appeal process Speeding up the Social Security Disability or SSI Claim Process Social Security Award Letter and being due a substantial back pay amount Reasons to get a representative who specializes in disability claims only When you apply for Social Security Disability should you send copies of your xrays? Getting approved for disability based on being blind How to answer questions at a Social Security Disability CE examination What disability claimants get angry about - Part II How does Social Security consider pain? These pages provide answers to basic questions about pursuing disability benefits Who is eligible for SSI disability? How to get disability in Florida