How Long Does a Social Security Disability Appeal Take?

How long a Social Security Disability appeal takes varies based on the complexity of a person’s claim and the state that handles their hearing. Depending on the situation, this process can take a year or longer.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) could have many cases to review at one time. As such, you may have to wait a long time before your case proceedings begin.  

Consult with a Social Security Disability appeals lawyer if you’re unsure how much time it takes for a Social Security Disability appeal. Your attorney can guide you through the appeals process.

If your request is successful, there is a five-month waiting period for benefits. This means your benefits won’t begin until the sixth full month after your request has been approved.

How Much Time Do I Have to Appeal the SSA’s Decision to Deny My Disability Claim?

With a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) request, you have 60 days to ask for a reversal of a denied claim. This period begins on the date you get your denial notice. If you wait too long to start the appeals process or make a late submission, you could miss your opportunity to receive disability benefits. 

In terms of whether you need a lawyer to appeal an SSDI denial, it helps to have a Social Security Disability appeals attorney on your side. Your lawyer accounts for the conditions of your disability and your eligibility requirements for benefits. In your case, they can use witness statements, testimony from medical professionals, and other proof to build their argument. 

As you think about how much time it takes to complete a Social Security Disability appeal, consider who you choose as your legal representative.

Ideally, your lawyer tackles legal challenges during the Social Security Disability appeals process. They will also answer your questions during this process and help you make informed decisions every step of the way.  

What Are the Stages of the Appeals Process? 

Don’t wait to ask for legal guidance if you want to start the process to appeal a decision that the SSA has made. Work with a lawyer familiar with the SSDI system.

Your attorney will look at your denial notice and determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for benefits. Plus, they can teach you about the appeals process, which consists of the following stages:

Request Reconsideration 

Appeals procedures start when you request a reconsideration after you get your denial notice. When you request reconsideration, you can provide evidence and information not included in your initial application.

Fill out a request for reconsideration form to make your request. You or your attorney can submit this form to the SSA online, via mail, or at a local Social Security office. 

Hearing with a Judge

If you disagree with the SSA’s response to your reconsideration request, you can proceed to the next level and ask for a disability hearing with an administrative law judge.

It can take months for this hearing to be scheduled. Once your hearing happens, you should find out within a few months if the judge has approved your claim. 

Review of a Hearing Decision with the Appeals Council

If your disability claim is denied at the hearing level, the next step is to request an Appeals Council review to analyze the administrative law judge’s decision and make a determination on it. You must ask for an Appeals Council to evaluate your case within 60 days of receiving the judge’s decision.

The SSA may continue to deny your claim even after you ask the Appeals Council for a reversal of the original decision against you. In this scenario, you can move forward with a federal court action in a U.S. district court. The federal court review stage is beyond administrative review. In this stage, you are suing the SSA in federal court.

Why Should I Appeal Instead of Reapplying After I Get a Denial Notice?

Appealing a claim denial can often be more advantageous than reapplying for benefits from scratch. This is because asking the SSA to overturn your claim denial preserves the initial application date, whereas reapplying requires restarting the months-long application process. 

Keeping your case going has an important implication for your back pay. The SSA uses your original application date to calculate your back pay, meaning reclaiming it via appeal can make you eligible for a larger sum. This critical difference should be weighed against any potential waiting times when deciding whether to pursue a new hearing or reapply. 

Along with these things, requesting a reversal of a denied Social Security Disability claim online, through the mail, or at a Social Security office can save you money in the long run that you would otherwise lose out on if you decide to start over with a new application.

Why Should I Work with Social Security Disability Lawyers?

Your attorney provides insights into how long a Social Security Disability appeal requires and other legal topics. On top of that, they give your case their undivided attention. Reasons why those who have had their SSDI benefits requests denied get legal help include:

• No upfront payment required: Attorneys are available who will take cases on contingency, meaning you don’t pay anything unless you get the case outcome that you want. 
• Help with collecting evidence: Your attorney will collect medical documents, witness statements, and other evidence to strengthen your case. 
• Addressing legal issues: Your attorney understands the circumstances of your case and looks for ways to prove that your benefits request is legitimate and valid. 
• Receiving personalized support: Your lawyer will evaluate your case and put together a custom plan that makes it tough for the SSA to contest your benefits request. 
• Providing case status updates: Your lawyer keeps you updated about your benefits request and remains accessible to address your legal concerns.  

When in doubt about the amount of time it will take for a Social Security Disability appeal, partner with an attorney who has relevant case experience.

From here, your lawyer will explain your legal options. They will help you avoid mistakes when you dispute your claim denial and empower you to secure the benefits you deserve.  

The Bottom Line on How Long It Can Take for a Social Security Disability Appeal

Unfortunately, there is no set period for when you will hear back from the SSA about your denied disability benefits claim. As the days pass, you may struggle to stay afloat financially as you wait for benefits.

With help from an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the SSA’s appeals process, you can boost your chances of getting your benefits request approved. 

At Pilzer Klein, our sole focus is on Social Security Disability law. Our team has more than 50 years of combined experience. Trust us to help you unlock your disability benefits right away.

Speak with the team at our office within days of finding out that your disability benefits claim has been denied. Our attorneys will help you with your case in any way we can.