The Social Security disability process can be long and drawn-out. The majority of Social Security disability claims take up to two years before there is a final resolution. Due to the amount of time it takes for a Social Security disability case, most applicants inquire about the status of their case several times during the process. The answer most of the time is: The case is pending.
Considering the length of time a disability case takes, it is only natural to wonder “what is my status?”
The length of time it takes for a resolution to a Social Security disability case is no one’s fault. It’s not the fault of your representative; it’s not even the fault of Social Security. The reason a Social Security disability case takes so long is because Social Security is backlogged and doesn’t have the resources to speed up the process.
The longest wait time during a disability case is at the hearing level. When an applicant is medically denied during lower-level decisions the next step is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The wait time alone for a hearing is 12 to 15 months (nationwide) from the date of request.
Social Security hearing’s offices have indicated that there is up to 10,000 people waiting for a hearing at any given time. Considering that, this many people are waiting for a hearing it is easy to see why there is a 12 to 15 month wait.
Although the waiting period for a hearing only makes up a little more than half of the entire wait time, it’s not difficult to understand why the entire process can take the better part of two years.
When a claim or appeal is filed, the disability determination agency has to collect medical records on a claim and get those records medically review. This process can take several months, which accounts for the rest of the waiting period.
If you have filed a claim for Social Security disability and are wondering what the status is, fear not, the claim is probably pending due to the substantial amount of wait time.
