Why Does it Take So Long to Get SSDI Benefits?
Social Security Disability claims move through the system slowly for two big reasons.
The high standards of the Social Security Administration (SSA) are the first obstacle facing anyone who applies for SSDI benefits.
It’s not enough to show that you can’t work at your current job. Your SSD claim needs to show you won’t be able to work at any job.
This benefits program is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security, so your work history also needs verification.
You’ll need a significant amount of evidence to back up your application for disability benefits, and processing all of this can take a while.
The SSA wants to ensure benefits aren’t awarded to those who don’t need them, but this increases waiting times for those with legitimate claims.
The other problem is a massive backlog of claims and not enough claims examiners to go around at Social Security.
Even if you think you obviously qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, your claim probably won’t be approved quickly.
It will likely take months, if not longer, for the system to even get to reviewing your claim.
Even in the best circumstances, it’s likely to take a year or more to get approved for disability benefits.
You should apply for disability as soon as you think you’re eligible, so you get the process started and don’t add even more time before you start to receive monthly disability checks.
Some people worry they don’t have the medical evidence they need to support their disability claim, so they wait until after they have more evidence. DON’T WAIT. It takes Social Security so long to process claims that you can add evidence while you’re waiting and before the SSA makes a decision.
The lawyers at Barnes Disability Advocates can help you know what medical evidence you should focus on to build the strongest possible claim.
Factors That Can Increase SSD Wait Times
It’s also possible that other factors, some which you can control and some that are beyond your control, can complicate your claim and make the approval process take even longer.
Issues that could affect your wait time include:
- Leaving out information on your SSA application forms
- Neglecting to respond to Social Security’s requests for information
- Having contradictory information in your file
- The complexity of your medical condition
- Complications in your appeal of a disability denial
Appeals are guaranteed to add significant waiting time. The more stages you have to go through, the longer it takes to get approved for benefits.
How long does an SSD appeal take?
Waiting for the first step in appealing—reconsideration—takes months, and the odds of getting approved for benefits on that first appeal aren’t high.
That means that you’ll probably need to schedule a disability hearing. That can take around eight months, according to Social Security data.
The next steps, asking for a review by the Social Security Appeals Council and filing a civil suit in Federal District Court—you guessed it—also add significant time.
If you get denied disability benefits, know that you’re not alone. Around two-thirds of applicants get denied on their initial application.
The key is responding quickly and keeping the appeals process moving, and a Utah Social Security Disability lawyer helps you do that.
How a Utah Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help in the Long Benefits Process
A disability lawyer from Barnes Disability Advocates can’t guarantee you’ll get approved for benefits quickly, but we can make this process less stressful for you.
Our Lehi and St. George disability lawyers:
- Help you fill out application forms and avoid mistakes that result in delays and denials
- Identify important medical evidence that can strengthen your claim
- Answer any questions you have about the application process
- Respond to Social Security when they ask for more information or evidence
- Support your appeal if your initial application for benefits gets denied
- Represent you at your disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge
- Identify legally appealable errors
- Ask the Social Security Appeals Council to review your case, if necessary
- File your appeal in federal court, if needed
The long wait for disability benefits can be demoralizing, but these monthly payments can make a big difference in your life once you finally get approved.
You’ll also receive back pay to make up for some of the time you waited, which can be a significant amount and a major relief.
Don’t wait to get started. If you’re in Lehi, Salt Lake City, St. George, or anywhere in Utah, reach out to Barnes Disability Advocates.
Do You Want to Know More About Our Disability Lawyers in Utah?
Barnes Disability also helps with long-term disability claims when you have a private insurance policy to protect your finances if you lose the ability to work. Our disability attorneys have decades of experience and a mission to help everyday people find peace and dignity in difficult times.
