| It's become common knowledge that, while Social | | | | receive a decision on their initial application. Over 60% |
| Security Disability benefits can be a life-saver for | | | | of people are initially denied benefits, and then file for |
| many people, they can be difficult to qualify for. Some | | | | Social Security reconsideration within 60 days. The |
| people who are in dire need of assistance avoid filing | | | | state has 90 days to review that request. If denied at |
| an application because they're afraid they won't be | | | | that point, applicants must request a hearing in front of |
| able to fill it out correctly, won't have the right or | | | | an Administrative Law Judge. A request for a hearing |
| enough evidence of their disability, or just because | | | | might not get applicants on the docket for up to two |
| they assume they'll be denied. Working with disability | | | | years. Adding up all that wait time is pretty scary - |
| attorneys can help simplify the process, but there's not | | | | applicants awaiting a SSI appeal might be waiting 3+ |
| much that can be done to speed it up once the | | | | years for a final decision on whether or not they'll |
| application if filed. | | | | qualify for Social Security Disability. |
| Is the Social Security Disability Application Process | | | | This recent news, of the Social Security Administration |
| Being Improved? | | | | beginning to work through their backed up cases, is |
| Fortunately, the Social Security Administration recently | | | | promising. The SSA also announced that their average |
| announced a success that bodes well for future | | | | processing time for these cases improved from 514 |
| applicants. For the first time in 10 years, since 1999, the | | | | days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009. While that's not a |
| SSA has made progress with their backed up cases | | | | tremendous achievement, it is a step in the right |
| and ended the year with fewer disability hearings | | | | direction, and hopefully a sign that the Social Security |
| pending than in the prior year. Their fiscal year 2009 | | | | Administration is going to continue to improve. |
| ended with 722,822 hearings pending - almost 40,000 | | | | What Can Be Done to Streamline the Social Security |
| less than they had at the start of the year. | | | | Disability Application Process? |
| In a time when many baby-boomers are facing | | | | For those who are disabled and unable to work and |
| retirement age, some feared that strain on the SSA. | | | | perform typical daily tasks, 491 days to a decision is still |
| Common worries included the Social Security | | | | way, way too long of a wait. It's important to provide |
| Administration running out of money, with none left for | | | | as complete an application as possible when first |
| Social Security Disability cases, and that the agency | | | | applying in order to help streamline the process. |
| would become so bogged down with cases and | | | | Disability lawyers are a big help in this regard - their |
| applications that it would become impossible to review | | | | experience allows them to quickly identify any areas |
| cases in a timely manner. Some would say that the | | | | of the application that might halt it's progress. They'll be |
| second fear came to fruition. | | | | able to advise applicants of what kinds of information |
| How Long Does It Actually Take to be Approved for | | | | the application is missing, as well as help them work |
| Social Security Disability? | | | | with medical professionals to access the necessary |
| Applicants are warned that it may take 3-5 months to | | | | evidence to support their claims. |