When you’re unable to work due a debilitating disability, you should be eligible for social security disability (SSD) benefits. Filing your application itself can be done by mail, over the telephone, or online. When you want your claim to be processed quickly, filing online is the best way to go.
However, it’s important to note that the vast majority of SSD claims will, at least initially, be denied. Just because you claim was denied, though, doesn’t mean that’s the end of the road for your claim. You can work with an experienced Boston SSD lawyer to get your denial overturned. Read on to learn more about the SSD application timeline.
When you file your SSD claim, you will fill out the application and submit supporting documentation to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA will then send you forms to release your medical records to them so that their board can review your medical evidence to determine your eligibility for SSD.
Typically, this part of the process takes up to 120 days, and only a small amount of these claims are approved. Many claimants will end up having to go through the appeals process when the SSA determines that you aren’t disabled enough to collect SSD, or if you haven’t worked the appropriate length of time to qualify.
If your claim for SSD is denied, you will have sixty days to file your appeal with the SSA. This is referred to as a request for reconsideration. At this stage, your application will be reviewed for a second time by the SSA. This portion of the appeal can take anywhere from three to five months. Very few appeals are successfully reconsidered.
If your claim is denied for a second time, you will then request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). You will have sixty days from the date your reconsideration was denied to file your request for a hearing.
Once the ALJ has examined the details of your case, they will either uphold the SSA’s denial, send your case for another review, or approve your claim. In all, the total appeal can last up to two years before your case is resolved. For this reason, claims that are eventually approved at this stage will be paid retroactively from the first date of your initial application.
Having a dedicated Boston SSD lawyer at Joel H. Schwartz, PC on your side throughout the SSD claims process can make all the difference in the success of your case. To schedule your free claim review today, you can visit our website or give our office a call at 1-800-660-2270.
