The Wait for Disability Benefits
There is no doubt about it. Applying for Social Security disability benefits is a complex process – and it’s long. I know that it seems unfair to ask someone who is not well and who may be facing financial troubles, to also be patient about when to expect a decision on their disability claim. Unfortunately, there is no magic potion to make the Social Security Administration (SSA) move any faster on making a decision on a disability claim, unless it is for someone who has a disability that meets SSA’s Compassionate Allowance conditions.
The average wait time for an initial decision is three to six months. In some state Disability Determination Service (DDS) offices, claims at the reconsideration level of the appeals process are backed up six months. At the hearing level, the wait could be as long as a year or more to get scheduled with an Administrative Law Judge. In fact, the average wait time at the hearing level is 441 days. It’s not a good situation.
I do want our claimants to know that our Advocates stay on top of the Social Security Administration. We also stay in touch with our claimants as much as we can. Our purpose is to help support our claimants through the entire application process – all the way to getting approved.
One thing I would suggest is that if you have filed a disability claim with us, or even on your own, you should keep a backup file of all your medical, financial and personal information close at hand and up-to-date. Maybe even let a trusted friend or relative know about the file.
Another thing you can do that may help calm the wait if you have a disability claim with us is to go to Freedom Square, our portal Web site. This is an exclusive site for our customers. There you can track the progress of your claim so that you know exactly where your claim stands in the approval process. You can also direct-message to your Advocate by e-mail. Your Advocate will respond to your questions as quickly as possible. To get to Freedom Square, click on the Freedom Square logo at the top of the Freedom Disability Web site home page. (www.freedomdisability.com)
We are trying everything we can to help our claimants negotiate through the application process. The only thing we can’t find is that magic potion to speed things up with SSA.
i have colon cancer and am going to do chemo in a week, i will be doing this for six months. will i be able to receive ssi. at this point i am receiving state disability
If you have low income and resources and you are unable to work you could be eligible for SSI. You have to apply for it with the Social Security Administration. We would need to know more about your situation to determine if we could help you with your application.
Ive been diagnosed with a tumor on my left ovary since 12/09 and have been unable to work due to extreme pain that been caused by my illness as well as high blood pressure and migranes.would i be eligible for social security benefits?
Your medical condition must meet SSA’s definition of a disability. You would have to have medical proof that you are unable to perform any kind of work and have been unable to work for 12 months. If you think you meet that criteria, and you also meet the work history requirement of accumulating five-years-worth of work within the last 10 years, you could be eligible. SSA factors in your age and work skills too. SSA is strict about eligibility. If you think you want to give it a try, we can help you.
I just want to be able to get Social Security DIsability. No employer here in my home town will let me work either. I have Cerebral Palsy and use crutches to walk with. Without them I would fall all the time and not be able to stand up. My wife works 2-3 jobs all the time just so we can have some income. I know I don’t have enough work quarters either.
Thank you
Duane
i have rheumatoid arthritits and will be starting a arthritis study in a couple of weeks. am i eligible to receive disability cause i am unable to work i will go to this study once to twice a week for twenty weeks.
You have to prove that you meet SSA’s criteria for eligibility. We can help you do that. One of our Eligibility Consultants will need to find out more about your situation. I suggest calling us at 866-761-5942 for more help.
I filed for disability benefits through a law firm. I recently received a rejection letter from SSA. I want to appeal the decision, but I don’t feel comfortable with the faw firm I had used. Can I file for an appeal with a diffirent firm?
Mr. Rossillio,
You absolutely have the option of changing representatives at this stage of your SSDI application. In fact, if you are not happy with your representation so far you should, by all means, consider another group to appeal your case. This is a difficult enough process to get through without also feeling uncomfortable about how your case is being handled. Note that you only have 60 days from the date of your denial letter to appeal. Best of luck to you.
I was hospitalised in April 2010, My Doctor applied for SSI on my behalf, I was approved the following Sept 2010, I did return to work after 2 weeks of Hospitalization, I recieved 2 Social Security checks and was terminated, The reason ? I was not off work for 12 months, They were not denying my dissability only the fact that I was off work only 2 weeks and not 12 months. Should I appeal ?
Rodney,
If you are presently working you wouldn’t qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) unless you’re disability keeps you from earning no more than $1,000 a month, which is substantial gainful activity. SSI is needs-based, so if you’re making more than the eligiblity requirement, you would not qualify. It’s hard to say if you should appeal without fully understanding the circumstances for your case. You can certainly call in to talk to an Eligibility Consultant who can better assess your situation.
I am wondering if my spouse is in the middle of a disability claim and recently had a stroke on top of all the conditions he has would he qualify for SSA’s Compassionate Allowance? Also, since he was told to go and apply for SSI until his SSDI decision came in he went to do that and the SS office told him he could not apply for the SSI benefits since he had a pending SSDI open. Is this right? I am currently the only one working and we are in severe financial strain and I cannot afford the bills with the little income I make. Please help!
Crystal,
Sorry about your situation. When we take on an SSDI disability case, we will file an SSI application if the customer has very little or no income and few resources, which is the criteria for SSI. It appears that SSA determined that your spouse does not meet the criteria for SSI. It is also very important that SSA is aware of new medical information about your spouse’s condition. Compassionate Allowance is for very severe, life-threatening conditions. It is very difficult to handle an SSDI claim without a representative to help so hopefully you have someone to guide you with your claim.
my husband has colon rectal cancer and is declining very quickly. We just got approved on ssa but our date to receive this is 6 months away. I work a parttime job and that prevents our family which includes my 17 year old son from any other benefits such as SSI. Im worried what to do, we are in financial hardship until our SSA comes. Does my husband meet the critria for the compassiate allowance?
Gena,
So sorry about your husband. You should contact your SSA representative to see if anything can be done for you. Since his case has been approved and you say he’s declining, perhaps something can be done to expedite the process.