how long does it take to get approved for ssi with a lawyer

by Rico Boehm 7 min read

Though it’s hard to give an exact figure of how long it takes to get disability benefits with a lawyer, having legal assistance can shorten the claims processing time from 2 years to at least 3 months. Social security disability attorneys already know what the SSA

Social Security Administration

The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social …

wants to see and hear.

Full Answer

How long does it take to get approved for SSI?

Jun 07, 2010 · The process can take anywhere from one month to three years, depending on where you live and the complexity of your case. It typically takes up to six months to receive a decision when you initially apply for disability. If you are denied, you have the right to a Request for Reconsideration. This stage takes approximately two to seven months.

How long does it take for Social Security to make decisions?

Jul 20, 2021 · The Social Security disability review conducted as part of the application process generally takes anywhere from three to five months. However, the exact length of time it takes in each case depends on how easy or difficult it is for the DDS to obtain the medical records needed to make a decision. Having a Social Security disability lawyer helping to prepare and submit …

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

First-time applicants may win approval in 3-5 months, on average. In December 2020, the SSA approved a little more than 1 in 5 first-time applicants. Most claimants have to appeal their initial denials, especially if they don’t have a lawyer handling their cases.

How long does it take for disability benefits to start?

Jan 15, 2021 · The 60-day period between your approval and your first payment is the average length of time the process requires. Remember, you will receive backpay for the two months the approval process consumed. At the Clauson Law Firm, we understand how important your SSD claim is to you and your family.

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The “3 to 5 Months” Wait Time, and Why It’S Disappointing

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Inside The Social Security Disability Claims Approval Process

Getting your SSD benefits claim approved by the SSA is a lengthy process full of questions: What goes on behind the scenes during the Social Securi...

Why There Is Such A Long Wait For Social Security Disability Benefits?

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Getting Approved For Disability Benefits

While there may not be a concrete answer as to how long it will take for a Social Security disability approval, there are ways to possibly speed up...

How long does it take to get a disability claim?

According to the SSA, the average processing time for disability benefit claims is 103 days in 2018. But some disability reviews may take up to two years. Some factors that can affect the turnaround time include: A disability lawyer knows what the SSA wants to see and hear.

How to get disability approval?

To help you get approval at this stage, your lawyer can: 1 help you gather substantial medical evidence proving the extent of your disability 2 present a clear and concise argument as to why you deserve the benefits 3 negotiate your disability onset date 4 convince the Attorney Adjudicator on the specific merits of your case

What to do if your disability application is denied?

If your initial application got denied, you have the right to request a disability hearing. To skip the wait for the hearing, your lawyer can file for an on-the-record (ORD) decision. To help you get approval at this stage, your lawyer can: help you gather substantial medical evidence proving the extent of your disability.

Who is Judy Ponio?

Judy Ponio is a writer for Victor Malca Law P.A. and enjoys helping people with questions about social security, workers compensation, and other serious matters involving people’s livelihood. She is not an attorney and her writing should not be considered legal advice.

Who is Victor Malca?

Victor Malca P.A. has over 25 years of litigation experience in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability lawsuits. His experience and continued success in fighting for his clients puts among the most trusted workers’ compensation lawyers in Florida. Our area of expertise is in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claim social security disability benefits.

How long does it take for a medical review to be approved?

As a general rule, reviews may be scheduled as follows: 1 If you have a medical condition that is expected to improve, you may receive a letter advising you of a medical review within six to 18 months after your application for benefits was approved. 2 If your medical condition may improve, but how long it may take for that to happen cannot be predicted, your case must be reviewed at three-year intervals to comply with federal law. 3 For medical conditions that are not expected to improve over time, you may receive notice of a medical review every five to seven years.

How does Social Security Disability work?

When you submit an initial application for Social Security disability, it goes through a review process to determine whether you are disabled and eligible to receive benefits. Once you receive notification of approval and start getting monthly payments, the Social Security Administration conducts periodic reviews to determine whether you remain ...

What does DDS do?

The people at DDS contact doctors and other medical providers that treated you to obtain records and other evidence needed to make a decision about your medical condition and whether or not you are disabled within the definition used by Social Security. The Social Security disability review conducted as part of the application process generally ...

How long does it take to appeal an SSDI denial?

The SSD application process doesn’t end if your first claim’s denied. Instead, you have 60 days from the day your denial letter arrives to file an appeal. However, where you live largely determines how long you’ll wait for an appeals hearing. See average appeals hearing wait times in your state or region here.

How to get approved for disability?

While there may not be a concrete answer as to how long it takes for Social Security disability approval, there are ways to possibly speed up the process. 1. Consult a Lawyer. An attorney or advocate who specializes in Social Security disability cases knows exactly what you need in terms of documentation, ...

How to appeal a disability claim?

Appealed disability claims have four steps before you should attempt to reapply for benefits. The SSA may approve your claim at any point in this process: 1 Reconsideration 2 A hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) 3 An appeals council review 4 Federal court

How many ALJs are there in the SSA?

The ODAR will then schedule your case and notify you of your upcoming hearing date. According to the SSA, approximately 1,535 administrative law judges (ALJs) make more than 558,000 rulings every year, so it can take a while.

What information should I include in my disability application?

You should also provide names of all doctors who treat you, facility addresses (including hospitals, doctor’s offices and anywhere else you go for treatment) and your appointment dates. Offering all necessary information from the start saves the disability examiner from having to track it down later. In fact, those steps are often most responsible for slowing down the entire process.

What is the ODAR for disability?

The ODAR is the department that schedules and holds disability hearings and fields all SSA applications, including retirement and survivors benefits. Because there is a limited number of judges and the ODAR’s two case-processing divisions have only a few hundred offices across the country, this part of the process can take up a large chunk of time.

How long does it take for SSDI to be processed?

For most SSD benefits recipients, the first payment will be issued between 30 and 60 days after the approval notice arrives. Some delays are caused by a heavy caseload of the office where your payment is processed. If they are overloaded with a wave of new applications, the pace of processing slows down.

How long does it take for Social Security to pay back?

Your backpay should be issued within 60 days of the date of your approval notice. Some SSD recipients got their backpay much faster, sometimes only days after their approval.

How to pay SSDI?

Since all new SSD payments are made electronically, you can choose from three payment methods: 1 Direct deposit allows the government to deposit the money directly into your bank checking or savings account. This is the easiest, most convenient method since you won’t need to do anything to complete the process. Once you sign up for Direct Deposit, simply check your account on the day the payment is due. 2 Direct Express debit card is a program that credits your payment to a prepaid debit card you can use for any purchase where charge or debit cards are accepted or at any ATM. Be warned, however, that debit cards can be lost or stolen. Although you can replace a card if you lose it, the inconvenience and inability to conduct transactions during the replacement process is a substantial disadvantage of these cards. 3 Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) is a third available method of payment designed for people who don’t have conventional savings or checking accounts. An Electronic Transfer Account serves as a bank or credit union account to receive and distribute federal payments. The account holder can have funds transferred to the account from other payers if they choose to. It does not permit check writing, but it provides access to funds either by ATM, in-person bank visits or by use of a debit card issued through a bank registered with the government program. The account won’t permit recurring bill payments.

What is direct deposit?

Direct deposit allows the government to deposit the money directly into your bank checking or savings account. This is the easiest, most convenient method since you won’t need to do anything to complete the process. Once you sign up for Direct Deposit, simply check your account on the day the payment is due.

Can a debit card be stolen?

Be warned, however, that debit cards can be lost or stolen.

How long does it take to get Social Security?

Typically, it takes 6 weeks to process your application and for the benefits to start. However, it will take longer if you submit incorrect information. Also, the duration for approval will depend on the number of submissions the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be processing at the time. Overall, the wait time is at least six weeks ...

How many elderly people are receiving Social Security?

At the close of 2018, approximately 60 million elderly Americans were collecting their social security benefits. The application list for the benefits is growing each year and that borders on a retirement crisis that requires solutions. Therefore, you cannot help but wonder how long does it take to get approved for social security benefits.

Who is Larry Siegler?

Larry Siegler, CPA, is the founder of Optimal Retirement, LLC., and the brains behind Optimal Social Security. He was a practicing CPA for over 20 years, and found himself explaining over and over again to his clients why they should really give some thought to when and how they claim social security benefits.

What documents are needed for self employed?

Tax return evidence and W-2 forms are also required for self-employed applicants. For those born out of the USA, you should provide proof of citizenship. A certificate of citizenship or passport will be adequate. Also, marital information and those of your children will be required.

Does the SSA accept original documents?

The SSA will send you notification when they are required. Notably, SSA only accepts original documents and certifications. Alternatively, you can furnish them with copies certified by the government. You will get your copies back once the verification is over.

Do you have to provide information for Medicare?

For those who have applied for Medicare or any social security benefits before, you are exempted from providing certain information. This helps speed up your application as your information is already on their database.

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 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. too much, your condition is not considered severe, or the SSA believes you could work.

How to request reconsideration of disability?

A Request for Reconsideration can be completed by you or your disability lawyer by filling out form (SSA-561). You must provide your name, Social Security number, the type of claim that you are appealing (listed on the notice of decision), the claim number (listed on the notice of decision), the reason for the appeal, ...

How long does Medicare cover ALS?

Medicare Coverage If You're Disabled. We automatically enroll you in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) after you get disability benefits for two years. However, if your disability results from ALS, Medicare coverage begins sooner, generally the first month you are eligible for disability benefits.

What is Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Advantage Plan (previously known as Part C) – people with Medicare Parts A and Part B can choose to receive all of their health care services through plans that are offered by private companies and approved by Medicare.

What is Medicare coverage?

Medicare Coverage If You're Disabled 1 Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed this coverage. It’s provided at no cost to you. 2 Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay doctors' services, outpatient care, some medical supplies, and other preventive services. You will need to pay a monthly premium for this coverage if you want it.

Does Medicare Part B cover outpatient care?

It’s provided at no cost to you. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay doctors' services, outpatient care, some medical supplies, and other preventive services. You will need to pay a monthly premium for this coverage if you want it. Most people have both parts of Medicare.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment. For more information on the enrollment periods for Part D, we recommend you read Medicare's How to get prescription drug coverage page.

Can you get reduced Social Security if you work for the government?

If you receive certain other government benefits, such as workers' compensation, public disability benefits, or pensions based on work not covered by Social Security ( e.g., some government or foreign employment), the Social Security benefits payable to you and your family may be reduced.

How long does it take to get a disability check?

Usually, it takes about a month or two from the date of approval before you get your disability check. In some cases, it can take longer. Under the law, a six months waiting period between the onset of your disability and when you should get your first payment must also be observed.

When will disability payments start?

For example, if your disability started in June 2019 , your payment will start in December of that same year. But most of the time, the approval process itself eats up most of that waiting period. If your claim gets approved fairly quickly, you might have to wait long before you’ll get your hands on your first disability check.

Who is Judy Ponio?

Judy Ponio is a writer for Victor Malca Law P.A. and enjoys helping people with questions about social security, workers compensation, and other serious matters involving people’s livelihood. She is not an attorney and her writing should not be considered legal advice.

Who is Victor Malca?

Victor Malca P.A. has over 25 years of litigation experience in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability lawsuits. His experience and continued success in fighting for his clients puts among the most trusted workers’ compensation lawyers in Florida. Our area of expertise is in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claim social security disability benefits.

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