Why Is My Disability Claim Still Pending at the Spartanburg SSA Office?

Your disability claim may still be pending at Spartanburg’s Social Security Administration (SSA) office because South Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS) may face high workloads or processing delays. Your claim may also be pending while DDS obtains and reviews medical records or determines if a consultative examination (CE) is necessary.

If you want updates regarding the status of your Social Security Disability (SSD) application, remember that legal help is available. Talk with a Spartanburg Social Security Disability application lawyer, and they can advise you on your legal options.

Your attorney may help you understand your claim’s status and communicate with the SSA about questions or concerns relating to your application. In addition, your lawyer may help you determine whether your claim qualifies for expedited processing and advise you on the steps you can take while your claim is still pending.

Reasons Why Your Disability Claim May Still Be Pending at the Spartanburg SSA Office

You are worried that your disability claim continues to be pending at the SSA office in Spartanburg and that you won’t receive a response in the near future. It’s important to note that disability applications sometimes stall at the local and state review levels for several reasons, such as:

• Substantial backlogs and workloads: There can be long wait times for initial decisions and appeals, which can lead to system-wide delays.
• Missing or incomplete medical records: Disability claims require sufficient medical evidence. If your medical records are unavailable or incomplete, DDS may have difficulty evaluating your residual functional capacity (RFC) and determining whether you qualify for benefits.
• Consultative examination requests: If you don’t have the evidence that South Carolina DDS needs for your disability claim, DDS may schedule you for a CE with an independent physician at the government’s expense. Finding a doctor and scheduling this exam can extend the time your disability claim is pending.
• Technical or paperwork errors: If your claim documents are missing dates or don’t include a verifiable work history, these and similar issues could hold up the processing time.
• State agency processing times: After your application is reviewed by the Spartanburg SSA office and your non-medical eligibility requirements are verified, it is typically sent to South Carolina DDS for a medical determination. High volumes at DDS offices can prolong your claim.

Consult with a Social Security Disability lawyer if you’re unsure about why your disability claim may still be pending at the SSA office in Spartanburg. Depending on your situation, your attorney may communicate with the Spartanburg SSA office and take other measures to find out why your claim has not yet been processed and sent to South Carolina DDS.

What Happens When You File a Disability Claim in Spartanburg, South Carolina?

You can apply online for disability benefits or complete your application over the phone or at the Spartanburg SSA office at 145 N Church Street. After you submit your application materials, the SSA staff will review your application to verify that you meet all of the non-medical requirements.

Next, your application will be sent to South Carolina DDS. At this time, a DDS examiner and medical consultant will review your medical records, statements from your medical providers, and CE results to decide whether your condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability.

Generally, it takes months to receive an initial decision on your disability claim. A Social Security Disability attorney can help you monitor your claim’s status and keep you updated about it. You can also track your claim’s progress in conjunction with your lawyer by logging into or creating a personal Social Security account.

Should I Hire a Lawyer if My Disability Claim Is Still Pending at the Spartanburg Social Security Administration Office?

Hiring a Social Security Disability applications attorney may help you better understand the claims process and present evidence supporting your application.

Some of the ways that your lawyer may help you with your disability claim that’s pending at the Spartanburg Social Security Administration office include:

• Requesting expedited claim processing if your condition meets specific SSA criteria
• Gathering clinical documentation, lab results, vocational reports, and other evidence for your claim
• Verifying that your file is complete to minimize the risk of missing information and an inconsistent treatment history
• Organizing your work history and medical records
• Providing claim updates and remaining accessible to address your legal concerns and questions

Outside of these things, if your disability claim reaches the hearing stage before an administrative law judge (ALJ), your lawyer can prepare you for questioning and cross-examine vocational experts as needed.

Learn More About Why Your Disability Claim May Still Be in Process at the Spartanburg SSA Office

As your disability claim is still in pending status at Spartanburg’s SSA office, you may wonder about whether there are any issues that could ultimately lead to a denial. Get legal help as you go through the claims process, since an attorney may address issues that could affect your claim’s status.

The team at Pilzer Klein has over 50 years of combined experience. Our mission is to win Social Security Disability claims, one case at a time. We want to empower our clients to secure the benefits that they deserve.

If your disability claim remains in pending status at the Spartanburg SSA office, we are here for you. As your premier Social Security Disability advocates, we are committed to helping you with your claim in any way possible. For more information, request a free consultation.