My name is Nick Ortiz, and I am a Social Security disability attorney. I recently interacted with one of our clients, who received a favorable decision two years after starting his initial application. He was happy and relieved to finally get this good news. This made me think of a question we get from many of our clients: “How long does a Social Security claim take?”
The answer most often is “a long time.” While that short answer is true, it is not very helpful. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine or predict how long a claim will take. It is also important to remember that no two claims are the same. Some people get approved shortly after their initial application, but it could take years for the claim to go to a hearing.
Unlike programs like the Department of Social Services, the Social Security Administration has no specific timeline for deciding applications or appeals. Although there are no deadlines for decision-making, the following provides an estimate of how long it takes to receive a decision at each stage of the process based on my years of experience handling hundreds of Social Security disability claims.
How Long Does a Social Security Disability Claim Take?
Initial Application
Social Security advises that it may take up to 6 to 12 months to issue a decision on an initial application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) or SSI claim. It can vary depending on several factors:
- The nature of your disability.
- The number of medical providers you identified in your application.
- The time it takes for the SSA to obtain medical evidence from your doctors.
- If a consultative medical examination is needed to obtain evidence to support your claim.
- If your claim is randomly selected for quality assurance review of the decision.
The great majority of initial claims are denied. You have 60 days to appeal the decision by filing a Request for Reconsideration.
Request for Reconsideration
The Request for Reconsideration process takes an average of 6-12 months. The length of time at this stage is normally determined by the number of new records that must be obtained and whether an additional consultative examination has been ordered. At this point, about 80%- 90% of all claims are denied again. You have another 60 days to appeal this decision.
WATCH: How Do I Appeal My Claim For SSDI or SSI Benefits? [Video]
Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
There is “good news” and “bad news” about this stage of the process. The good news is that this is the claimant’s best chance of winning (statistically). The bad news is that it can take a horrendously long time to get to a hearing. On average, it takes approximately 10-12 months from the date the Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is filed.
The NETSTAT report gives the average time from the hearing request date until a hearing is held. The NETSTAT report states that the wait time for the hearing in the greater Pensacola, Florida, area is 11.5 months (as of August 2023). However, we have seen some hearings scheduled as soon as 3-4 months after we submitted our request.
Note: This does not run from the initial application; this is the wait from when the Request for Hearing is filed after Reconsideration. It is not unusual for a hearing to occur 1.5 to 2 years after the disability application was filed! If your claim is denied at the first two levels, as most claims are, it can take two years or longer to get approved.
Do Denials Come Faster Than Approvals?
No. There is no correlation between the strength of a case and the time it takes to receive a decision from the Social Security Administration.
After Approval
Another question I am often asked is: “How long will it take for SSA to pay me?”
Generally, it takes a few days to a few months for back benefits to be paid and monthly benefits to begin in a Social Security disability case in which no SSI application was ever filed. When SSI is involved, it takes considerably longer. But these are only general rules.
Sometimes, it takes up to three months to receive past-due benefits. When it takes more than 90 days for back benefits to be paid in a Social Security disability case, it may mean that there has been a bureaucratic mix-up somewhere in the system.
Get Help with Your Social Security Disability Claim
Although based in Florida, the Ortiz Law Firm represents claimants across the United States. If you’d like to speak to an experienced Social Security disability attorney, contact us online or call (888) 321-8131 to schedule a free case evaluation.
