We often hear from Social Security Disability applicants: “I’m waiting on my SSDI hearing decision, now what?” As you may already know, the application and approval process for receiving Social Security disability benefits can take anywhere from three months up to two years.
Most applicants are initially denied and must go through the appeals process in order to prove their case. Even if you make it to the hearing level, it will still take time to obtain an official decision.
We know this process is daunting, especially when it is never guaranteed that you will be approved. That is why it is so essential to have a Social Security Disability benefits expert working on your claim. At Disability Apply, we can improve your chances of approval by 75%.
Contact us today for support from a Social Security Disability expert. There are no upfront costs to work with us. We only receive a fee directly from the Social Security Administration if you win your disability case – no out-of-pocket expense for you!
What Happens After a Disability Hearing?
After you have conducted your disability hearing, your claim will remain at the local Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) until the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has made a decision.
The timeline for receiving the ALJ’s decision is dependent upon the workload of the judge and staff members. However, you will usually receive a written decision within 60 days.
During this waiting period, it is helpful to have a professional representative working on your case. The representative will have access to the status of the decision and understand whether it is pending decision writing, in review, etc.
Consider Any Helpful Actions While Waiting
While you wait for the results from your disability hearing, make sure you do not have any outstanding medical information that might be useful to the judge during the consultative examination period.
Any additional medical information could help your case, as the decision-making process will not officially begin until all necessary information has been submitted.
During this wait time, be sure to be prepared both mentally and financially for how long it may take to receive your decision. Consider filing for other benefits that you may be eligible for — such as food stamps or other public assistance — to aid you while waiting on your SSDI hearing decision.
Increase Your Chances of Approval
Remember, you can increase the likeliness of being granted disability benefits by as much as 75% when you have a representative working on your case.
Most cases are won at the hearing level, and this percentage increases if someone is there to represent you. Not to mention, we are skilled experts in ensuring that you meet all requirements and do not miss any deadlines.
We know the ins and outs of the process and have the knowledge to help you win your case — while making it as stress-free as possible.
Find support on your journey to disability benefits! Contact us about what else you can do while waiting on your SSDI hearing decision. We are here to help you any way we can!