Thursday, April 25, 2024

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Once Approved

Don't Miss

Tips For Getting Approved Fast

Why Does It Take So Long To Get SSDI Benefits? | Citizens Disability

There are a couple tips that can help decrease the time it takes to hear back from the SSA regarding your disability benefits. Here are some tips that may help with a fast application process:

  • Provide ALL medical evidence: Don’t keep the disability examiner waiting for your medical documents and evidence. Instead, send all your medical documents when you submit your application.
  • Add all your doctors to your application: On your application, list the doctors you have seen, their office addresses and the dates you visited them. This can help the SSA in contacting your doctors and establishing your medical care.
  • Collect letter’s from your doctors: A letter from your doctor about the condition you are experiencing and the symptoms that are impacting your ability to work. If you can, gather;letters from multiple doctors. Submit these with your application.
  • Monitor your claim’s progress: Stay on top of your application. The SSA may request additional paperwork or evidence. The longer it takes to get this to them, the longer your claim will take to process.
  • Consider working with an attorney: A lawyer will be familiar with filing disability claims. They will know what evidence is needed to help support your claim and can assist in gathering your supporting documents.

If L Get Paid First Should I Wait Until I Receive The Notice Of Award Before I Cash The Check Or Spend My Past

There is no problem with cashing the check. But it is best that you deposit your check in an interest bearing savings account and not spend it all until you receive the Notice of Award so that your attorney can make sure that attorneys fees were withheld and that you have not been overpaid. It is also a good idea to make two photocopies of the check before you deposit it. Send one copy of the check to your attorney and keep the other for your records.

Will I Receive A Notice From The Social Security Administration Explaining My Benefits

Yes. That notice is usually called a Notice of Award. This notice will show the date of entitlement and the amounts of benefits for all months of back benefits. It will show the total amount of benefits to be paid to you. It will show the amount of benefits withheld for direct payment of attorneys fees. It may also give you information about your Medicare eligibility and monthly Medicare premium. It may also give you some information about when to expect a continuing disability review.

Recommended Reading: Does Traumatic Brain Injury Qualify For Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get My Disability Benefits Once Social Security Determines Im Disabled

The process of winning Social Security Disability benefits can take months and even years for some claimants. The length of time it takes for you to start receiving Social Security Disability checks varies depending on how soon you win your case.;

The Social Security Administration enforces a five-month waiting period between the onset of your disability and when you begin receiving payments. For example, if you win approval on your first application and applied one month after the onset of your disability, you will have to wait four months to receive your benefits.

Unfortunately, the process to win usually takes a while so the majority of people are still waiting for a decision once the five-month waiting period is over. That means benefits are usually paid within one month of receiving a favorable decision. The backpay and payment schedule is made available to you in the letter you receive from the SSA.

If you dont win at the initial application stage, it can take much longer to receive your benefits since you will now have to go through the appeals process. This process can take anywhere from six to 18 months and, in some cases, even longer.

No matter how long it takes, you receive backpay that will date back to the date you list as the onset of your disability on your application.

If you need help winning disability benefits,;contact Danielle today.

How Long Does It Take To Get An Ssdi Award Letter

How Long Does It Take to Get a Short

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.

Also Check: Does A Pension Affect Social Security Disability Benefits

Total Wait: Start To Finish

We also asked readers who went to a hearing how long the entire process took them, from when they filed their initial application until they received a decision after the hearing. More than a third said it took between two and three years, while nearly a quarter told us it took more than three years. The overall average was 27 months.

The Appeals Process Can Take A Long Time For Approval

Just like no two applications are exactly alike, no two appeals are exactly alike either. ;Because as many as 70% of initial applications are rejected, appeals are quite common. ;Unfortunately, as you work through the various levels of appeal, it could add many months before your claim is finally approved.;

The first level of appeal is known as a Reconsideration. ;Because a reconsideration looks at much of the same information already gathered during an initial application process, plus any new evidence or medical records you want to submit to bolster your claim, the average time for a decision on a Reconsideration is about 60 days. ;This length of time can vary though, depending on the case, what files are requested and complexity of the files that need to be reviewed.;

You have 65 days from the time of your initial denial to start the appeal process. ;To do so, you must submit a Request for Reconsideration, Form SSA 561, an Appeal Disability Report, Form SSA 3441 and a Medical Release, Form SSA 827. ;Social Security will forward these forms to your particular state disability agency, most times known as Disability Determination Services, or DDS, although each state may have a slightly different name for their agency.

If a Reconsideration is denied, the next step in the appeal process is a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge .

Also Check: Can You Apply For Social Security Disability After Age 66

How Is My Backpay Calculated

As described in the previous answer, the amount of your backpay depends on your disability onset date. When you submit your disability claim, you identify the date your disability began.; The Social Security Administration may or may not accept your proposed disability-onset-date. If something in your medical records or another piece of information in your application suggests your disability began later, then the government will pay your backpay only from the date they decide your disability began.

If you disagree with the date the government decided your disability began, call your lawyer immediately to discuss appealing the partially favorable decision.

Prevent Delays In Receiving Your Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Attorney: How long does it take to get SSD – SSI Benefits?

How long does it take to get disability back pay? The answer for most applicants waiting for social security benefits is too long. The Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates want you to receive your disability benefits with as little delays as possible.

While we cant speed up the SSAs deliberation process, we can help you avoid the kinds of mistakes that could add months or even years onto the time it takes to get your claim approved. We can also ensure you receive the total back payment of benefits you are entitled to. Dont risk any unnecessary delays in getting the benefits you deserve. Contact the law offices of Marc Whitehead & Associates to schedule a free consultation with an experienced disability benefits lawyer to discuss the best way to proceed with your Social Security disability claim. Call us today at

Recommended Reading: How Long Is Short Term Disability Insurance

So How Long Does It Take To Get Long

With all of the different pieces and scenarios, there is no one answer fits all.; The initial application can take up to one year for a decision, and the appeal process can take up to 9 months.; Some policies allow for a second appeal, but not all so check your policy and count on it adding more time if you need to use this extra appeal.You can also see our article The Timelines of Disability Approval and Denial Letters to give you a better idea of how long it takes to receive an approval or denial.If you need help at any step in your long-term disability claim process, feel free to contact us.

How Long Do Ssdi Cases Take

When you suffer a disability in Arkansas, you may be eligible to receive benefits through either the Supplemental Security Income program or the Social Security Disability Insurance program . The majority of disabled individuals in Arkansas, however, rely on SSDI to help them supplement their income after a serious injury. This federal program is an entitlement program that pays individuals supplementary income after a disability as long as theyve paid into the Social Security System for at least 10 years.

Unfortunately, collecting your SSDI benefits isnt always easymany valid;SSDI claims are denied;initially. This forces disabled applicants to go through a;lengthy appeals process;before being able to collect the money they need after an injury. This process is a highly regulated and long process without the help of an;experienced Arkansas SSDI lawyer. Even with a lawyer on your side, the length of this process will depend greatly on the type of injury you suffered, where you live, and the severity of your condition.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does Disability Pay For Bipolar

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability With A Lawyer

Should I get a disability lawyer? How can a disability lawyer help me with my claim?

These are all too common questions from people applying for disability benefits. Yes, the SSA doesnt give special considerations to applicants represented by lawyers. But hiring a disability lawyer can fast track your disability claim.

According to the SSA, theaverage processing time for disability benefit claims is 103 days in 2018. But somedisability reviews may take up to two years. Some factors that can affect the turnaround time include:

  • whether you got approved at the initial application stage
  • the availability of your medical records
  • your medical condition
  • the state you live in

A disability lawyer knows what the SSA wants to see and hear. Their experience and knowledge of the system can help you get approval during the initial application stage. You wont have to go through a lengthy case review and even an appeals process. This shortens your claims processing time to a few months.

Surveys also show that 60% of those who had legal assistance was approved for benefits. While only 34% of claimants got approved without a lawyer. These statistics are backed by government data which shows that applicants represented by lawyers are 2.9 times more likely to get benefits.

Ssd Benefit Waiting Periods

How Long Does It Take To Get Approved For Disability

A delay may occur from when Social Security disability is approved until you receive the first payment because you must be disabled for at least five months. Depending on how long after becoming disabled you apply for benefits, and how long it takes for your application to be processed and approved, the five-month waiting period may not be a factor that delays your benefits from starting.

Also Check: What Happens To Social Security Disability When You Turn 65

The Other Parts Of Medicare

  • Medicare Advantage Plan 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. For more information, we recommend you read Medicare’s How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?
  • Medicare Part D 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.

If you receive Medicare and have limited resources and income, you may be eligible for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.

When You Are Owed Disability Back Payments From The Date You Applied Or Earlier You May Be Paid In A Lump Sum

By Aaron Hotfelder, J.D., University of Missouri School of Law

Anyone familiar with the Social Security disability system is aware of the long delays that can occur between an initial application for benefits and an eventual approval. For the minority of applicants approved at the initial level, a wait of three to six months is common.

Those who appeal and have to proceed to the reconsideration level or to a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge can expect to wait a year or more before receiving benefits.

And if a case is appealed to the Appeals Council or lands in federal court, a successful disability applicant will usually have waited several years before receiving a payment.

Because the Social Security Administration has a massive backlog of cases at every level of the disability application process, the unavoidable result is a lengthy delay in processing claims.

Recommended Reading: How Many Americans Have A Disability

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.

How Long Does It Take To Appeal A Disability Case

How long will it take to get my benefits after I am approved?

People who file for Social Security Benefits need patience. Most people filing an initial claim will be turned down. Social Security approves only 35-40% of first-time claims. The line is long. Currently, about 1.1 million Americans are waiting for a decision on their disability claims.

Normally claims increase at a time of high unemployment. Since 2000, the number of Americans receiving benefits has increased from about 3 million to 8 million in 2020. If you include spouses and children who also receive benefits, the number climbs to 11 million.

Recommended Reading: How To Apply For Short Term Disability In Az

Amount Of Time From Applying To Getting Your Approval Letter

Typically it takes 2-3 months to get a response after sending in your initial application for long-term disability.; However, this is a best-case scenario.; Many things can delay your insurance company from approving you.; Some of those are in your control, and others are in their control.; Here is an article about timelines involved in ERISA governed long-term disability policies.;;

Will I Be Eligible For Medicare

Medicare eligibility begins after you have received 24 months of Social Security disability benefits. Note that to receive Part B of Medicare , you pay a premium that will be deducted from your Social Security disability monthly check.

Disabled people with relatively low income and assets may be eligible for other programs that pay for medical expenses not covered by Medicare and/or pay the Medicare premium for you. To find out if you are eligible for any such programs, you need to check with your county welfare department.

If you have health insurance coverage already, you need to figure out how Medicare works with your health insurance. Many health insurance policies state that Medicare is to provide the primary coverage with your present health insurance paying only for what Medicare doesnt cover. You need to check with your health insurance company when you get your Medicare card.

Also Check: How Does It Take To Get Social Security Disability

Will I Have To Pay Taxes On The Social Security Disability Benefits I Receive

Probably not, but this depends on the amount of your total income. Most people wont have to pay taxes on their Social Security disability benefits. Couples whose combined incomes exceed $32,000 and individuals with income exceeding $25,000 will pay income tax on a portion of their Social Security disability benefits. The IRS has an odd way of figuring out total income for this rule. The IRS uses adjusted gross income as reported on Form 1040, plus one-half of the total Social Security benefits received for the year, plus non-taxable interest.

Single people with incomes over $34,000 and married people with incomes over $44,000 pay tax on a higher percentage of their Social Security disability benefits.

Heres an odd thing: People whose Social Security benefits are reduced because of the workers compensation offset or offsets for other public disability benefits must count the amount of Social Security benefits not paid when determining taxability of their benefits. But if a child receives benefits on a parents account, those benefits count only for determining if the child must pay taxes on Social Security benefits received.

Tax law is very complex. Please talk to a tax specialist if you have any questions about taxes on your Social Security benefits.

More articles

Popular Articles