HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR DISABILITY CASE

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CASE

If you need to check the status of your case, then you have come to the right place.

It can take up to two years to receive benefits after you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits.

Have two or three months gone by since you filed your application for SSDI and SSI benefits? Has it been months since you last heard anything about your SSDI or SSI claim?

It is common for people to become upset while waiting for the SSA to make a decision. If you recently filed your application, it will usually take the SSA anywhere from 3 to 6 months to make an initial determination in your case.

If they deny your claim, then you must file a request for reconsideration within 60 days of their initial denial. Then, another 3 to 6 months can pass before they make another decision, which can be a denial of benefits. At that point, you request a hearing. Right now, it can take up to a year to get a hearing before a judge.

If you are waiting at any of these stages of the Social Security process, then learning how to check the status of your case can ease your worries.

YOU CAN CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CASE ONLINE

The first place to check the status of your case is the internet. You can check the status of your application on the SSA’s website. If you don’t want to search the SSA’s website, then click on this link to access your SSA account.

All you need to do is enter your social security number and click on “Check Your Status.” Next, you will see a message telling you the status of your claim. Usually, when you check the status of your claim, it will say “pending.” This means the SSA is still working on making a decision in your application.

If you have a case that qualifies under the compassionate allowances rules, then make sure you write that on your application. This will make the SSA process your case faster. You can also find out more about an increase in Social Security benefits.

Additionally, if your information changes during the appeal process, you can update your address on the SSA’s website. You can also use this page to check on your monthly benefit payments once you they are awarded to you. You can check on your your benefits and update your direct deposit information.

CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR SSDI CLAIM BY CALLING THE SSA 

Another way to check the status of your SSDI or SSI case, is to call your local Social Security office. When you call, you will speak to a claims representative. If you don’t know the phone number to your local SSA office, you can use the Social Security Office Locator tool to find the phone number.

When you speak to the claims worker, you will need to provide your name and Social Security number so that they can tell you about you case. They should be able to tell you where your claim is in the process, meaning whether you at at the initial level. Or, for example, whether you are waiting for a hearing. However, the SSA worker is not going to be able to give you an answer on when the SSA will make a decision. If your case is at Disability Determination Services (DDS), which is the state office that reviews your medical evidence, you may get a better answer.

CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CLAIM AFTER YOU FILE YOUR APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS

For cases pending at the initial level, which is right after you file your application, you can speak with a worker at DDS. You can also speak to DDS when your case is at the second level of appeal.  The reason you may want to speak with the DDS worker is that they are usually the person who collects and reviews your medical records. If some records are missing, then they can tell you what is missing. Also, they can give you a chance to submit it.

DDS workers are easy to reach by phone. You can get their telephone number from your local Social Security office. Find your state to see a list of the DDS offices in all 50 states.

When you call DDS, you will need to give them your name and social security number. Once you have given them this information, the receptionist can forward your call to the DDS worker who is working on your case. The DDS worker will be able to tell you the status of your case. However, you can also ask if there is anything you need to submit that will help you win your case.  For example, if you have had multiple back operation, perhaps the DDS worker needs to see a copy of all of those surgeries. You can also submit medical statements to DDS.

If your case is at the initial level, then you should wait at least two months before calling DDS about the status of your case. Likewise, if you are at the second stage of appeal, then you should wait at least three months before you call DDS. Learn more about the wait time for the hearing and the hearing decision.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE SSA IS WORKING ON YOUR CASE DURING THE APPEAL STAGES?

One way to tell if the SSA is working on your case during the appeal stages is that they might send you to see a doctor. DDS has doctors who prepare written reports for them about your physical and mental conditions. These doctors perform what is known as a Consultative Examination. You can learn more information about SSA doctor exams.

The exam is done at no cost to you. Therefore, all you need to do is go. Show up on time and answer the questions. Explain your symptoms to the doctor. If you do not attend the exam, then the SSA will deny your claim.

Use the exam to tell the doctor what physical and mental conditions are making it impossible for you to do full-time work. For example, if you have liver cancer or breast cancer, or any other disease, bring your medical records to the exam so the doctor can review them. Don’t rely on the SSA to send your records.

On a mental examination, you visit the psychologist. The psychologist will interview you to see if you suffer from Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, or another mental disorder. You may also be given an IQ test. Find out more information about the WAIS IV IQ test.

Additionally, find out more about SSD benefits for Depression. Anxiety Disorder can also qualify you for SSDI benefits. Likewise, you can learn more information about SSD benefits for PTSD. You should see the mental exam as an opportunity to explain your mental issues and how they affect you on a daily basis.

CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CLAIM AFTER YOU FILE A REQUEST FOR HEARING

If your case is denied at the reconsideration level, then you will need to file a request for hearing within 60 days of the date of the denial. When you file a request for hearing, you are asking to have a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Once you submit your request, your case will move to the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Your case can wait up to one year or more before a hearing date is set with OHO.

After you file a request for a hearing, you may not hear anything from the SSA for months. The reason why is that most Social Security hearing offices have a large backlog. However, you can still check on the status of your case after you request a hearing.

In order to check on the status of your hearing request, you must contact the local hearing office. Most of the time, the staff at the local OHO will not be able to tell you much about the status of your case. Other than it is waiting to be set for a hearing date in the future.

You can find phone numbers in your state to the SSA hearing offices on OHO’s website.

You will eventually receive a Notice of Hearing in the mail. This notice will come about 75 days before your hearing date. You need to submit all of your up to date medical records  at least one week prior to the hearing. Read about the 5 day evidence submission rules. You should also complete the paperwork that OHO sends you and send back the letter that you will attend your hearing.

HIRE AN ATTORNEY WITH SSD LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Those who hire an SSDI lawyer with experience are three times more likely to win their SSDI and SSI case.

Having a better chance at winning is always wonderful. We think there are many reasons for this fact. But, the most important reason you have a better chance is that when you hire an attorney with experience, we help you prepare your case for success. Knowing what to do is half the battle. Only legal experience can give you the extra push you need to win your SSD benefits.

At Cannon Disability, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases. Our success rate is based on our experience and the fact that we work with our clients as a team.

Some attorneys claim they have a very high success rate, but that success rate is based on winning a few hundred cases. Those firms carefully select their cases based on factors such as the advanced age of the client or their medical condition. We take cases we believe in.  That includes cases for young people and people who have a combination of mental and physical conditions.

Our clients tell us they can’t work and we believe them. While we don’t win every case, we care more about our clients than having a perfect success rate.

Your lawyer will check the status of your case for you. The lawyer must check the status of your case in order to know if the SSA is doing their job. If you receive any medical information or any letters from the SSA, you need to submit that information to your lawyer as soon as possible.

WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU WIN SSDI & SSI BENEFITS 

You do not need to try to win benefits on your own. Our law firm can help file your application for benefits. Also, we can help you file an appeal after every SSA denial. That way, you can focus on your health. Our attorneys and staff can:

• Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
• Check the status of your case at DDS and OHO
• Help you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits
• Inform the SSA they should pay your benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
• Request an appeal if you receive an initial denial from DDS
• Help you confirm your attendance at a SSA doctor exam
• Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Prepare you to testify at your SSA hearing
• Represent you at your hearing and question the expert witnesses
• Read more about job experts
• Learn more about medical expert testimony
• Request review of an ALJ decision with the Appeals Council
• Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court

If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete the application. However, if you have a medical condition that automatically wins SSD benefits, you should not wait to finish your application. Once you submit your application online, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back. Otherwise, they will not process your application.

HIRE US TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR CASE & WIN BENEFITS

It is always our goal to win benefits for our clients. Your future ability to pay your bills, for yourself and your family, relies upon the results of your SSDI and SSI case. Additionally, your ability to receive Medicaid and also Medicare depends upon whether you win your case. Learn more about Medicaid benefits. Medicare benefits are a form of health insurance that helps pay your medical bills. Learn more information about Medicare benefits.

You need to hire an SSD attorney with experience. We bring 30 years of legal experience to your benefit case. For example, Dianna Cannon has been helping people win their benefits for over thirty years. Brett Bunkall and Andria Summers also have many years of legal experience winning SSDI cases. Additionally, our legal staff also has years of experience helping clients collect their records and win benefits.

One thing you may not know is that we are able to help you with your benefits no matter where you live. For example, we represent clients in Utah and Nevada. If you need to know more about winning Utah SSDI benefits, then read here. Likewise, learn more about Nevada SSD and SSI benefits. We also have clients in Idaho, Colorado, and California. Learn more about Idaho SSDI benefits. Also, learn more about filing for California SSDI benefits.

You can trust that our lawyers will do the job to win your SSD and SSI benefits. We want to be your legal team. If you need help to check the status of your case, give us a call. Put our legal experience to work for you without paying any upfront attorney fees. Contact us today.