after appealing with a lawyer how long does ssi approval take

by Ms. Marge Bins 7 min read

We consider that you receive the hearing decision 5 days after the date on the hearing decision. The Appeals Council may also decide to review your case on its own within 60 days of the date of the decision.

Full Answer

How long does it take to appeal an SSI decision?

The notice will tell you how to appeal. If you file an appeal within 10 days of the date you receive your notice, your SSI benefits may continue at the same amount until we make a determination on your appeal. The notice will tell you if you are entitled to continued benefits.

How long does it take for Social Security disability to approve?

Unless you have added additional medical information to your claim, it is unlikely your claim will be approved. The request for reconsideration may take 30 to 90 days to complete. If you are approved for benefits the SSA will send you a letter detailing your payment amount and the estimated date of payment.

How long does it take to get a reconsideration letter from SSA?

The request for reconsideration may take 30 to 90 days to complete. If you are approved for benefits the SSA will send you a letter detailing your payment amount and the estimated date of payment. Should you hire a disability lawyer?

How long does it take to get a social security hearing date?

This stage takes approximately two to seven months. If you are denied again, you have the right to Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. In the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, it takes roughly one to two years to get a hearing date with the Judge. What do you do if if your Social Security claim has been denied?

What are the chances of winning social security appeal?

Unfortunately, your odds are even lower for getting your benefits approved on the first appeal—about 12%. If you move on to the next level of appeal, which involves a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), your chances for approval increase significantly—more than 55%.

What happens when you appeal a Social Security decision?

If the Appeals Council grants your request for review, it may deny or dismiss your request if it finds the hearing decision is in accordance with Social Security law and regulations. The Appeals Council may also decide to issue a new decision or return it to an administrative law judge for further action.

How long does it take for a decision to be fully favorable?

In general, it may take 3 to 4 months following your fully favorable decision to begin receiving your benefits because of the calculation required as outline above.

How long does it take SSI to review your case?

Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision.

How far does SSI back pay go?

Retroactive benefits might go back to the date you first suffered a disability—or up to a year before the day you applied for benefits. For SSI, back pay goes back to the date of your original application for benefits.

What happens if you lose an appeal?

If you win the appeal, your opponent could seek to appeal the appeal. If you win the appeal, the case might be sent back for a new trial leading to further expense. Losing the appeal may mean paying the other side's legal costs.

How do you know if your SSI is approved?

You can check the status of your application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How is back pay calculated for SSDI?

Calculating SSDI Back Payments Count the months between your EOD and application date to determine retroactive months. The number of months between the EOD and approval date, minus the five-month waiting period, plus the retroactive months, times your monthly payment equals the total amount of back pay due.

How long does it take to get SSI award letter?

between 1-3 monthsWhen the Social Security Administration approves your application to receive Social Security Disability Benefit payments, you will receive a Social Security Benefits Award Letter, which usually arrives between 1-3 months after the decision.

How long does it take to get a reconsideration decision?

A reconsideration appeal can usually be decided in as little as four weeks or as long as twelve weeks; whereas an application for disability can take as long as six months (usually, if it takes this long it is due to difficulties in procuring medical records from various doctors and other medical providers).

How long after I receive my award letter will I get my money?

Typically, claimants can expect to receive Social Security disability award letters within one to two months from the date they're approved, but in many instances, the wait may be significantly shorter, or longer. The timing of award letters depends on what stage of the process you're at—initial application or appeal.

What is the difference between a reconsideration and an appeal?

If you're asking for a reconsideration, you're not appealing. It's sort of a new claim, a reopened claim, whatever you want to call it. You've got to say, “I disagree” and now there's a form that you have to use.

How long does it take to appeal SSI?

The notice will tell you how to appeal. If you file an appeal within 10 days of the date you receive your notice, your SSI benefits may continue at the same amount until we make a determination on your appeal. The notice will tell you if you are entitled to continued benefits.

How long does it take to get a hearing decision?

We consider that you receive the hearing decision 5 days after the date on the hearing decision. The Appeals Council will examine your case and will grant, deny, or dismiss your request for review.

How long do you have to wait to attend a hearing?

If for any reason you cannot make it to your hearing, contact the hearing office in writing, as soon as possible before the hearing, but not later than 5 days before the date set for the hearing or 30 days after receiving the notice of hearing, whichever is earlier, and explain why you cannot attend.

What are the levels of appeal?

The levels of appeal are: Reconsideration; Hearing; Appeals Council Review; and. Federal Court.

What happens if the Appeals Council issues a decision?

If the Appeals Council issues a decision or denies your request for review of a judge’s decision, and you disagree with the action of the Appeals Council, you may file a civil action with the U.S. District Court in your area. We cannot help you file a court action.

How long do you have to submit a subpoena to a judge?

You (or your representative, if you have one) must inform the judge about or submit all written evidence, objections to the issues, and pre-hearing written statements no later than 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing and must submit subpoena requests no later than 10 business days prior to the hearing.

How long do you have to file a court action?

You may want to contact a lawyer or a legal aid group to help you. You must file an action in U.S. District Court within 60 days after you receive the notice of Appeals Council action.

How Long Will it Take For Social Security To Respond to Your Appeal?

After the grueling paperwork, the wait time, and then receiving a denial from the Social Security Administration office, then you have the arduous task of having to file an appeal.

Steps in the Appeals Process Explained

Reconsideration: during the reconsideration stage, applicants or current recipients will be given a period of 60 days to appeal their determination, and request a review of their file in addition to any new documentation or medical reporting. Most reconsideration decisions are delivered within 8 weeks.

What is the first stage of disability appeal?

The first stage is a reconsideration appeal. This is what you file upon receiving a denial from the SSA in their initial disability decision. Your reconsideration appeal mirrors your initial application. The paperwork is largely the same and it ends up in the same office at the SSA for consideration. A different person who did not view your initial application will review your reconsideration appeal.

Why does a reconsideration appeal take longer than the initial decision?

Because the SSA is reviewing the same claim they looked at before, a reconsideration appeal usually takes no longer than the initial decision. It may even be faster, particularly if the examiner has no additional evidence to consider.

Social Security Disability Appeal Basics

Believe it or not, most applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied upon the initial application. Typically, only the most obvious and “slam dunk” claims are approved after the first step of the application process. If your application for benefits is denied, that does not always mean that you do not qualify for benefits.

Tips For Winning Your SSI Or SSDI Appeal

Many people wonder how to win a disability appeal. There are several rules that you must follow as well as many tips to help your case. Here are the things that you need to do.

Options After Your Social Security Disability Appeal

If you go through the ALJ hearing and Appeals Council and still have your claim denied, all hope is not lost. You can still file a claim in Federal District court and ask that the court review your claim. There are a few outcomes that you can expect at this level.

The Bottom Line

Many disability claims are initially denied, but there is an appeals process that you can go through to potentially still get them approved. There are several helpful tips that you must follow to improve your chances of winning your appeal and getting your award letter. One disclaimer – the information contained in this article is not legal advice.

What percentage of disability appeals are approved?

In recent years, about 40% of appeals are approved at the hearing stage. This is much higher than those approved at the reconsideration level which is less than 10%. In most cases, your odds of getting approved during the appeal process is much higher if you have an attorney working on your case.

How long does an SSI appeal take?

The SSI appeals process is not a quick process. It can often take 12-18 months to complete an appeal of your initial decision. This is one reason that many people give up too soon because they simply cannot wait that long to get help. For that reason, many will attempt to return to work because they need the money.

What are the best arguments for a disability appeal?

Are you still wondering how to win your disability appeal hearing? The best arguments are the ones that clearly display your medical conditions that qualify for disability and describe how those impairments prevent you from working. You must clearly show to the judge that you are unable to perform work due to your condition.

How many SSD appeals were transferred in 2008?

In 2008, the SSA transferred just 14% of SSD appeal cases to reduce office workloads. That’s about 100,000 cases in 2008 alone. In 2017, that number grew to 450,000 cases transferred with an average wait time of 605 days. In other words, 43% of SSD appeal cases pending that year got transferred to a different office. And some offices reported wait times of 750 days or more for transferred cases. That’s more than two years!

How long does it take to get a hearing in 2022?

According to the FY 2019 report, the agency’s average hearing wait time was currently around 515 days. The latest SSA chart currently shows 395 days is the average hearing processing time as of August 2020.

How long does it take for a Social Security reconsideration to be approved?

Initial claims, or disability applications are generally quoted as requiring 90-120 days in order for Social Security to reach a decision.

What happens if you appeal a disability decision?

If an individual is appealing their initial disability decision, they will have to file a reconsideration appeal. Reconsiderations are a mirror image of the disability determination process at the application level. There is essentially no difference between the two stages other than the fact that a different person works on the claim.

How to win SSI disability?

Related: How to win Social Security Disability or SSI benefits . The best thing a disability applicant can do to speed up the Social Security appeal process is to make sure they (or their representative, who can be a disability attorney or a non-attorney representative), file their appeal quickly if they receive a denial notice.

What to do if disability appeal is denied?

When the reconsideration appeal is denied, the next step will be to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Disability applicants run into long waits when they file their request for an administrative law judge hearing (the second appeal in the social security appeal system).

Can I win my disability the first time?

And, of course, another fact that disability applicants should consider is that they may not win their disability benefits the first time, or even the second time they go through the disability claim process. Related: How to win Social Security Disability or SSI benefits . The best thing a disability applicant can do to speed up ...

How long does it take for a disability claim to be approved?

Unless you have added additional medical information to your claim, it is unlikely your claim will be approved. The request for reconsideration may take 30 to 90 days to complete. If you are approved for benefits the SSA will send you a letter detailing your payment amount and the estimated date of payment.

How long does a denial of SSDI last?

For instance, SSDI denials can be made if the SSA determines you have not worked long enough to be considered insured, your condition is not expected to last for at least 12 continuous months, you are currently working.

Appeals Process

  • You can appeal most determinations and decisions we make about whether you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or if we make changes to your benefit amount. That means you can ask us to look at your case again. When you ask for an appeal, we will look at the entire determination or decision, even those parts that were in your favor.
See more on ssa.gov

How to Appeal Social Security Determinations and Decisions

  • We have established appeals procedures for individuals who disagree with the determination(s) or decision(s) we make. The determination(s) or decision(s) that you can appeal are called "initial determinations" and we discuss them further below. The levels of appeal are:
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Initial Determination

  • We call the determinations we make that you can appeal “initial determinations.” These determinations are SSA’s written findings regarding any legal or factual issue, including but not limited to: After you file an application for SSI, we will mail you a written initial determination. This is your first “initial determination”, but each time we make a determination about your eligibility o…
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Reconsideration

  • If you disagree with the initial determination, you may request reconsideration. 1. For a disability claim or non-medical issue, take one of the following actions. 2. Medical Disability Cessation You may write to us or complete a Form SSA-789 (Request for Reconsideration Disability Cessation). You or your representative must ask in writing for reconsideration within 60 days of the date yo…
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Hearing

  • If you disagree with the reconsideration determination, you or your representative may request a hearing before a judge by writing to us or by completing a Form HA–501 (Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge). Go to www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.htmlto complete an online request for a hearing. If needed, we can help you complete this form. You or your represe…
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Appeals Council

  • If you disagree with the judge’s decision, you (or your representative) may request an appeal by writing to us requesting an Appeals Council review, or by completing a Form HA–520 (Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order). Go to www.ssa.govto complete an online request for Appeals Council review. We can help you complete this form. You (or your representative) must ask for a…
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Federal Court

  • If the Appeals Council issues a decision or denies your request for review of a judge’s decision, and you disagree with the action of the Appeals Council, you may file a civil action with the U.S. District Court in your area. We cannot help you file a court action. You may want to contact a lawyer or a legal aid group to help you. You must file an action in U.S. District Court within 60 da…
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