For a variety of circumstances applicants may be able to receive expedited processing of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and bypass the potential wait time of up to two years that most disability applicants face if they continue to appeal medical denials on claims.
Unfortunately, most people who venture into the Social Security disability process are unaware that, for most successful applicants, it can take the better part of two years before they see any benefits. The main reason for this is the high medical denial rates during the early stages of this process and the huge amount of applicants Social Security is inadequately staffed to process. For example, most applicants are medically denied at initial stages of the process and eventually have to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The wait time alone for these hearing requests is approximately 12-15 months nationwide because of the huge backlog at Social Security.
One of the classification categories of those who may avoid the long wait time and expedite the processing of claims is the “Wounded Warriors.”
Military Service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims if they were disabled on or after October 1, 2001 while on active duty, regardless of where the disability occurred. The special provision for the expedited processing of claims under the “Wounded Warriors” classification is identified under Hallex I-2-1-40 (B)(2).
Military members who are used to dealing with the Veterans Administration on disability claims will find that the Social Security disability process is a bit different, as two separate applications are required.
To learn more about the possibility of expediting claims due to the “Wounded Warrior” provision click here. This link will identify who may qualify and the steps necessary to getting an application processed.
