How Long Does A Social Security Disability Claim Usually Take?
Anyone who has dealt with bureaucracy knows that governmental entities are rarely fully staffed and they are generally overburdened with requests. The general process for Social Security Disability applications includes the initial application, a request for reconsideration, an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing, and possibly an Appeals Council or federal court appeal. It could take several months to several years to qualify for disability benefits. This is all the more reason to hire an attorney to make sure the application is the best it can be, and that it avoids mistakes. It may even be possible to expedite your case. Don’t pass up an opportunity you may not even know of, talk to us before you apply.
Among the factors determining how long your disability case will take are:
- The nature of your medical impairment(s) and the severity of your condition(s)
- The state in which you live
- The caseload of the state agency or hearing office deciding your case
- The judge in your case (if a hearing is necessary)
- How long it takes to obtain your medical records
A Lawyer Who Knows Social Security Disability Law Can Help
More important than understanding the process and having a reasonable expectation of the timeline is hiring the right attorney. There are ways to expedite your case. Among these are filing “dire need” cases where the applicant has no means of support or requires emergency life-saving surgery. There are some disabilities that are so obviously deserving of benefits that a “compassionate allowance” is granted. A law firm with a limited caseload, like our firm, can pay closer attention to your case. We are determined to win your case at the earliest possible date, and we often succeed at expediting favorable decisions.
At the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, our attorney has over 25 years of legal experience in handling disability cases. We have won disability benefits for more than 85% of the clients we have represented. For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation with a trusted SSDI and SSI disability lawyer serving Philadelphia and the surrounding region, please contact us online or call us at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320.