Im Approved For Disability Now What
After you have gone through the lengthy process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you might think that as soon as you are approved you will see a check in the mailbox. It could be great if it were that easy!
After the Social Security Administration makes their decision, they will issue and mail a letter. Your online account will also tell you the decision so its important to check that frequently. The letter will usually tell you the conditions you were approved for and how often you can expect medical reviews of your disability. The letter should also list your Established Onset Date. This is the date Social Security decided you became disabled. This date may or may not be the same date you think you became disabled. If the onset date they choose is the same onset date you asked for, this is called fully favorable. If it is a different date, this is called partially favorable.
In addition to the decision letter, you will also receive a letter informing you of your monthly award amount and if applicable, your back-pay amount. You can receive your payment via direct deposit if you have a bank account or onto a payment card which works like a debit card. You can usually expect your back pay and first monthly check to start 30-90 days after the award letter.
How Long Does Social Security Disability Approval Process Take
The Disability Determination Services evaluation process can take six months to reach a decision. If DDS denies your claim, dont give upthis happens to most people the first time, especially those who file on their own. Reasons include: technicalities, inadequate medical documentation, not knowing how to describe your disability and other mistakes.
Is Your Disability Found In The Ssas List Of Disabling Conditions
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that they consider to be severe enough to prevent you from performing basic work-related tasks.
The list includes eligible conditions for each major body system, such as respiratory system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, mental disorders, neurological disorders, and many more.
You can access the list here.
If your condition is not on the list, then you wonât be able to qualify. If your disability qualifies, then the process moves on to step 4.
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Applying For The Disability Tax Credit
The first step to getting your Disability Tax Credit refund is by, you guessed it, applying for the DTC.
You family physician or Disability Tax Credit service provider can first help you determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility. This is dependent on how your condition affects your ability to perform the basic activities of daily living , not by rigid definitions of medical conditions or disabilities.
Once youve determined if you qualify, youll need to complete all the medical paperwork as outlined by the CRA, namely the Disability Tax Credit certificate, or Form T2201.
Youll need to work with your doctor in completing the form, and this is where the DTC process can start to drag on and get tedious. These are doctors, not tax specialists, meaning their focus isnt on filling out your forms with the necessary extra details or accuracy.
We suggest consulting a Disability Tax Credit service to expedite this part of the process for you. Theyll ensure your paperwork is completed correctly the first time, minimizing any back and forth with your doctor, and with the CRA soon after. A lot of time in the DTC process is lost due to waiting on doctors to fill out the form, only for you to book another 3-4 visits to revise mistakes or missing information. A DTC service provider makes this notoriously long part of the DTC application process instant, simple and stress-free.
Initial Application And Reconsideration Decisions
Barring certain exceptions for specific illnesses or special cases, the earliest you could begin receiving Social Security Disability benefits is upon the approval of your initial application. In Mississippi, Social Security Disability claims are handled by the state Disability Determination Services agency, which operates under the Department of Rehabilitation Services. It typically takes anywhere from 30 to 120 days from the initial application date for the application to be reviewed and processed.
If your initial application is reviewed and approved, youll start receiving benefits shortly after your approval, usually within a matter of days. However, if your initial application is denied, youll need to apply for a reconsideration, which is the first step in the appeals process. You can also submit additional evidence to support your claim.
Its a good idea to speak to an experienced SSD lawyer before starting the appeals process. An attorney can help you collect the evidence you need for a complete and convincing claim.
Once youve submitted your claim for reconsideration, it will likely be another three to four months before you find out whether your application was approved. Data suggests only about 30 percent of reconsideration applications are approved, so expect to wait before hearing about your benefits decision.
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How Long Does It Take To Get An Ssdi Award Letter
The Social Security Administration states on its website that applicants may have to wait between three and five months to get a letter confirming your benefits after approval of your application. The application itself could take between one and three months to reach a decision. In all, you may have a total wait time of up to eight months from the time you apply, though most applicants see their first benefit checks come through about four months after first filing their applications.
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How Long Does It Take To Get My Disability Claim Approved
A disability claim can take days or years to get approved
The Disability Timeline
High-Level Disability Claim TimelineTotal: 1 31 months
Why do some claims take 1 month, and others take 31 months?
Wondering If You Qualify?
Find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in just seconds with our free evaluation.
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If I Am Approved How Long Will My Benefits Last
Once you receive approval for either SSDI benefits or SSI benefits, you are eligible to continue to receive them until you reach retirement age when you are placed on Social Security retirement benefits.
Its important to know that the Social Security Administration will conduct periodic reviews of your condition. This can be as often as every two years or as infrequently as every five. The average is every three years.
Benefits will only be removed if the examiner determines that your condition has improved enough for you to be able to return to work. If you dont agree with this decision, you may appeal it.
First Step: Initial Claim Three To Four Months
The first step of the Social Security Disability process is to file an initial claim with the Social Security Administration. They will then send your claim to the Arkansas Disability Determination Services to determine the medical validity of your SSDI claim. Approximately 70 percent of all SSDI claims fail on the first attempt and during this first stage, an applicant will likely have their claim denied. It can take roughly three to four months for this stage to be completed.
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If Your Dtc Application Is Denied
If you received a notice of determination stating that your DTC application was denied, the notice of determination will explain why. Check your copy of Form T2201 against the reason given. We base our decision on the information;given by the;medical practitioner.
If you disagree with our decision, you still have options:
1. You can call us to ask questions or to discuss your application:
- Within Canada or the United States, call 1-800-959-8281.
- From anywhere else, collect call 613-940-8495. Contact your service provider or operator to initiate the collect call. You may hear a beep and experience a normal connection delay.
- If you use a teletypewriter, call 1-800-665-0354 during regular hours of service.
2. You can request a review of your application by contacting us in writing. Your request must include any relevant medical information that you have not already sent, such as new or updated medical reports, or a letter from a medical practitioner who is familiar with your situation.
3. You can send in any relevant medical information that you have not already sent, such as medical reports or a letter from a medical practitioner who is familiar with your situation. The information you provide should describe how the impairment affects the activities of daily living.
4. You can file a formal objection to appeal the initial decision no later than 90 days after the Canada Revenue Agency mails the notice of determination.
Disability Benefits Wait Times In South Carolina
If your application is approved, Social Security has a built-in 5-month waiting period from the official onset date of your disability before your monthly checks start coming.
When youre approved, youll get credit for time youve already waited, so you dont have to wait five additional months.
When youre denied , the process gets more complicated and drawn-out, and it becomes even more important to have an experienced disability lawyer guiding your claim.
Heres the overview of the typical disability benefits timeline:
- Initial Decision: 2-6 months
- Start of Benefits if Approved: 5 months from onset date
- Denial Reconsideration Decision on Average: 100 days
- Wait for a Disability Hearing : 19 months
- Appeals Council Review: A few months to a year after hearing denial
- Federal Court Review: Possibly years from your first application date
The process already takes too long. Avoid unnecessary additional delays by making sure your application information is correct and your medical evidence is complete.
Disability lawyer Robertson Wendt and his legal team can help you make smart decisions and present your best case to win Social Security Disability benefits in South Carolina.
Robertson Wendt is one of few attorneys in the state who has special certification in disability law. You dont have to pay anything to get our office to evaluate your case.
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Second Step: First Appeal Three To Four Months
Once your claim is denied, applicants must then go through the first appeal for reconsideration of their claim. New evidence is then gathered and submitted to support your claim for disability. This first appeals process can take an additional three to four months before applicants receive a final decision. Only 30 percent of applicants are successful in their first appeals attempt.
What Is The Timeline To Be Approved For Ssi/ssd Benefits
Once a person has submitted a social security disability or supplemental security income application their number one question is: When I can expect to be approved for SSI or SSD benefits? Unfortunately, there is no set answer. Although the Social Security Administration , the federal agency that manages the SSD and SSI benefits program, has goals for how long each stage of the application process should take, they are just that goals.
In reality, the SSD benefits approval process varies based on numerous factors, including the type and severity of the applicants disability, the completeness of the application, whether the application goes through the appeals process, and even where the application is filed. Based on the timeframe for each phase of the application process, it can take anywhere from three months to almost three years to be approved for benefits.
This timeline offers the best estimate emphasis on estimate on when you can expect your SSD benefits application to be approved.
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Hire The Best Disability Lawyer In Florida
If youre planning to apply for social security disability benefits anytime soon, you should seek help from Atty. Victor Malca. For over two decades now, he had been helping injured workers in Florida get the benefits they rightfully deserve. He can help you too. Contact us for a free consultation now.
Medicaid And Cdpap In New York
If youâre living with a disability in the state of New York, and you qualify for Medicaid based on income and assets, you could also take advantage of CDPAP.
CDPAP is a NY Medicaid program that allows you to hire your friends or family members as caregivers to assist you with activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, cleaning, meal preparations, and anything else you need.
The caregiver is compensated for their time and effort through Medicaid. Itâs a mutually beneficial situation for both you and the caregiver.
For detailed information, including eligibility requirements, be sure to visit our CDPAP page.
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Why Does It Take So Long To Get Approved For Disability Benefits
Getting approved for disability benefits is not the same experience for everyone. People expect the process to be short while applying. But the reviewing process is short for some people, but in most cases, it is a pretty lengthy one.
The approval factor also depends on the type of application that is being submitted. This implies to the matching criteria of the application with the guidelines of the Social Security Disability Administration. The people who get approved within a span of three to four months are the ones who fulfill all the guidelines at once. Generally, at the end of the first stage, only 30 percent of the total applications are approved.
But it is not always probable that everyone will meet all the guidelines. In that case, the applications are rejected at the initial stage itself. So, the question arises about what to do in such a case? Well, the solution is to appeal to get the benefits ultimately. This process is, of course, a very long one and consumes a lot of time.
The process of appealing
Then what should you do now?
At this stage, you have already waited for nearly ten months, or more than that. Now you have to take the next step as soon as possible, and this is when the real delaying of the process beginning. Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyers come in handy at this stage and can help you in speeding up the process.
The next stage
Suggestion
So dont hesitate to get in touch if your SSDI benefits are taking too long to be approved.
Ssd And Ssi Initial Application
Completed SSD benefits applications are submitted to your local SSA field office. There, it is reviewed to confirm that you meet the non-medical eligibility criteria, including age, sufficient work credits, and that any monthly income you earn is less than substantial gainful activity. In 2021, an applicant must earn less than $1,310 to be eligible for SSD benefits. Failure to meet these non-medical eligibility criteria will result in a technical denial, meaning the SSA wont even consider whether your disability prevents you from working.
If you meet the non-medical criteria, the application is then forwarded to disability determination services. The DDS examiner will review your application to determine whether you meet the SSAs definition of disability. Depending on the completeness of your application, this review may include obtaining medical records directly from your doctor, which can increase wait times.
This initial review can take anywhere from three to five months. You can increase the chance that your application falls on the shorter end of that timeframe by making sure that you submit all of your relevant medical records the easier it is for the DDS examiner to review and confirm your disability, the faster you will receive a decision. But other factors, including if the DDS field office reviewing your application has a backlog of cases, can lengthen the process.
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Appealing Social Security Disability Decisions
If your application for benefits is still denied after youve submitted it for reconsideration, your next step is a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Youll need to gather additional evidence to support your claim, and it can take more than a year before youll get a chance to present your evidence before a judge. Again, having an attorney during this phase can be incredibly valuable and improve your chances at a favorable outcome.
While its frustrating that the process can take so long, its important to use the time you have productively to give yourself the best chance at having your claim approved. Every denial and additional appeal will add more time before you can start receiving your benefits.
If your appeal before the Administrative Law Judge is denied, you can make another appeal to the Social Security Administrations Appeals Council. This process can take another year or so, depending on factors like the complexity of your case and how many cases are pending before the Appeals Council. Its important to note that the Appeals Council has the right to refuse your application for an appeal, and in most cases, they end up affirming the decision of the Administrative Law Judge.
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What Happens At Each Step Of Appeals
Most people are denied disability benefits on their initial claim, which means appealing and waiting longer for an answer. This is what happens at every step:
- Reconsideration: Your original file goes to a different disability claims examiner for a fresh look. If denied again, you have 60 days to request a hearing.
- Administrative Law Judge Hearing: A disability judge listens to your arguments for benefits and makes a new decision. This is your chance to speak face-to-face with an important decision-maker.
- Appeals Council Review: A group at Social Security reviews the judges decision. You have 60 days from your ALJ denial to file for this review.
- Federal Court Review: If youre still denied, you can file a lawsuit against Social Security in federal court.
No one should wait through this process any longer than they have to.
Winning the fight for disability benefits isnt easy. But Robertson Wendt can help you avoid mistakes and extra delays and help you at every step of the way.
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