How Long is the Social Security Disability Appeal Process?
The Social Security Disability appeal process can be frustrating. After you file your application, how long the appeal process will take? The short answer is, it can take a long time. The wait between filing your application to the date of your hearing, can take up to two years. If it takes that long, then you may be able to receive past due benefits.
It is also a long wait for your day in court. Your Salt Lake City Social Security Disability Lawyer has limited ability to speed up the process. But at Cannon Disability Law, we do everything we can to make sure there are no case delays.
We may ask for your help in getting your medical records during the process. We do this because you know where to obtain your medical records. But we also do this because it costs you less if you obtain them. The more information we can present to the SSA, the better chance we have of winning the case at an earlier stage.
THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPEAL PROCESS
Below you will find an outline of the SSA claim process. This includes a waiting time at each stage of your case. It is a long wait to go through the process. So, learn some tips on how to survive the wait for SSD benefits.
During your wait, you can check the status of your application by creating a MySSA account. The “My SSA” account can be done online at Social Security’s website. You can actually check the progress on your case as the SSA makes their decisions.
We usually wins cases at the hearing stage, because this is when we argue your case before a judge. Throughout the wait for a court date, we ask you to maintain a good relationship with your doctors.
In order to do that, you have to visit your doctor on a regular basis. We recommend a visit every month. Good relationships with your doctors helps us collect your medical records. We need your medical records in order to build a winning case.
The best thing you can do to help yourself during this process is to bring us all of your medical records as soon as you become our client. Medical records are the evidence you need to win your SSD and SSI case. If you have questions about medical records, then review the importance of medical records in your SSDI and SSI case.
When we have your records, we understand your medical issues. We also know how your medical conditions keeps you from working. When the judge understands your mental and physical symptoms, you have a better chance of winning your case. If you have questions about how to collect medical records or how to find a doctor who can help you, then call or contact us. Contact us for free now.
FILING YOUR APPLICATION – Beginning the Social Security Disability Appeals Process
1-4 weeks
We will help you file your application with the SSA. The local SSA office will look at your claim to see if you meet the medical rules to win benefits. We will file your claim for you and we will do it online at Social Security’s website. However, we need your help to provide us with the names of your doctors, your medications, and a description of your physical and mental conditions.
In addition, we will need your help to provide your work history to the SSA. If you file an application for SSI, then you will need to sign the application before it is mailed in. Or, after it is filed online, the SSA may send a copy of the application to you for your signature.
The Initial Stage
Approximate processing time:
3-6 months
If your case passes review, the local SSA office will transfer the case to the state Disability Determination Services (DDS) for medical review. DDS reviews the case using their doctors. A claims worker will make the decision as to whether or not you meet SSA’s rules and can be paid benefits.
Usually, DDS relies upon the medical opinion of their doctor. Updated medical records are crucial at this point. It is important for the DDS doctor to know about your health conditions. In addition, DDS needs to know the medical opinion of your doctor. If we can submit information from your doctor at this stage, it will help you win the case.
Reconsideration Stage
Approximate processing time:
3-6 months
If your claim is denied at the Initial stage, we will file a Reconsideration appeal. Then, your case is sent back to DDS for another medical review. Again, sending in your current records to the SSA will help. If your case is not granted at this stage, we will file a Request for Hearing. Once a Request for Hearing is filed, it can take up to a year for the SSA to schedule your hearing. During this time you can do many things to help prepare your case. For example, you can go to the doctor, collect medical records, and submit those records to our office.
Hearing Stage – The Last Stage of the Social Security Disability Appeal Process
The SSA will schedule your hearing at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) that is closest to you. If you need to travel more than 75 miles to get to your hearing, the SSA will pay you for your for mileage. However, you will need to request a form at the hearing office that you fill out. Once you fill out the form and get it back to the hearing office, they will pay you for your mileage.
Your hearing will be held before an Administrative Law Judge. You will be asked questions. We prepare you for the questions that the Judge will ask. Don’t worry. You will not be alone when you go into court. You will have your attorney with you. Your lawyer will ask you questions and can prepare you in advance to answer those questions.
Additionally, your lawyer will often be the person asking you questions. If you want to know more about the hearing, then read What Questions Will the Judge Ask At My SSD Hearing. You can access other articles about your SSD hearing at Questions About Your SSD Hearing.
IS THERE MORE TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPEAL PROCESS?
If you don’t win your hearing with the SSA judge, then you still have options. First, most of the time you can file a new application. There are some limits to filing a new application, so don’t do it until you consult with an attorney. Learn more about why the SSA may be denying your case.
Second, you can appeal the ALJ’s decision to the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council does not often grant cases or change a judge’s decision. However, it is possible to obtain a remand of your case. Understand your chances at the Appeals Council.
Third, if the Appeals Council denies review of your case, then you can appeal your case to the Federal Court. You can learn more about Federal Court review.
Finally, what do you do if the person filing for SSD benefits dies while waiting for benefits? Unfortunately, this does happen. If you are a family member of the person who filed for benefits, then you can continue to pursue their SSD case. You may want to do this if the applicant has children or you are the applicant’s spouse. SSD benefits are payable to members of the family. However, there are specific things you need to do. Learn how to pursue SSD benefits if the claimant dies.
THE APPEALS COUNCIL
If you lose your case at the hearing level, then you will receive an Unfavorable Decision from the SSA judge. In the decision, there is information about how to appeal the judge’s decision to the Appeals Council. If you want to appeal the decision, then you must do so in 60 days. You should not miss the 60 day time limit. You must write to the Appeals Council and explain to them why you believe the judge’s decision is wrong.
Typically, an attorney prepares a written appeal for you. However, there is no rule stating that you must have an attorney to appeal. You can do it on your own, but be aware that the Appeals Council is looking for the judge’s mistakes.
The Appeals Council is not going to review your case like the judge did. Instead, they are looking at the case to see if the judge’s decision is in line with the medical record. You can learn more on our website about appeal review at the Appeals Council.
FEDERAL COURT REVIEW AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL PROCESS
The Social Security appeal process does go on after the hearing. If you lose your case at the Appeals Council, then you can appeal your case to Federal Court. You will know that you have lost your case at the Appeals Council level because you will receive a decision from them that denies review. If the Appeals Council denies review or your case, then that means they agree with the ALJ’s decision at the hearing.
You have sixty days to file a complaint in Federal Court after you receive the Appeals Council decision. This is a 60 day time limit that you cannot miss. It is best to hire a lawyer to file your Social Security Disability appeal in Federal Court. Make sure that you hire a Social Security Disability lawyer near you who has experience in Federal Court cases.
There is a filing fee due in order to file a complaint in Federal Court. It is likely that you will need to pay that filing fee, even if you have an attorney. Make sure you check with the Federal Court clerk or look online at the Federal Court website to learn how much the filing fee costs.
Not every lawyer can take your case to Federal Court. Only attorneys admitted to that court can bring a case to Federal Court. However, very few attorneys have experience handling this type of case in Federal Court. If you need to appeal to the Federal Court, then ask your attorney how many Federal Court cases they have won. Make sure you hire an attorney who has done it before and who has been successful. You can learn about filing an appeal in your case to Federal Court.
WE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPEAL
If your SSDI and SSI case goes through a hearing or beyond that to a further appeal, then you may win back benefits. Past due benefits accrue from the date of your application to the time you win benefits. It is important to file an SSDI and SSI application as soon as you know you are not going to return to work. It is also important to appeal on time, so that you do not lose out on any back due benefits. Learn about past due SSD benefits.
There is no doubt that you will need the help of attorney during these appeal stages. Hopefully, your case can be won during the appeals process or at your hearing. The reason you want to win your case at these lower levels is that taking your case to the Appeals Council and Federal Court takes a long time.
We represent our clients every day in court. We also appeal cases after the hearing, to the Appeals Council and Federal Court. Because we have court and appeal experience, you will have a better chance of winning your case.
However, going through the appeals process can be frustrating. We know the appeal process takes too long, but we are with you every step of the way. If you have been denied, do not forget to file an appeal before the 60 day time frame expires. Contact us to start your claim for SSDI and SSI benefits. Hire us now. Put our experience to work for you.
