How Long Does It Take to Get SSDI with a Lawyer?
If you have already tried applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you know that it can be a time-consuming, stressful process. The claims of many first-time applicants are denied, which only increases the frustration and concern over how you will pay your bills when you’re unable to work.
An Oxford SSDI lawyer at Roberts Wilson, P.A. can help you handle some of the difficulties of applying for Social Security Disability benefits. However, it is important to note that waiting is still an innate part of the process.
Some of the ways our Social Security attorney can help you with your SSDI claim include:
File Your SSDI Claim Properly
Investing time upfront in completing your application is the best way to reduce the amount of time you have to wait for benefits. It is also the most effective way to minimize the likelihood that your claim will be denied. You will need to provide information about your work history, your medical condition, and any additional benefits you currently receive or plan to pursue. You may also need to provide documents such as your tax returns, medical records, proof of U.S. citizenship, birth certificate, and more.
Gathering all of the necessary documents and providing all of the requested information can be challenging. It’s easy to overlook crucial details if you attempt to handle the application alone, which could delay your claim’s review or result in a denial of your claim.
A seasoned SSDI lawyer can help you complete your application correctly and efficiently. Your attorney can gather required documents, communicate with medical professionals, examine the information, and ensure that your application accurately reflects the extent and nature of your disability.
Track Your Application’s Progress
Once your application has been received, you will be notified electronically or by mail. You can monitor the status of your application online by creating a my Social Security account.
It generally takes about three to five months to get a decision on your application for SSDI benefits. However, may take longer for your application to get reviewed if the Social Security representative handling your claim needs additional information to decide if you qualify as disabled under the law.
A representative may request additional medical records. You may also be asked to undergo an independent medical exam (consultative examination) in which a doctor will examine you to determine the extent of your disability.
If additional information is requested by a Social Security representative, an SSDI lawyer can help you gather necessary records. An attorney can also answer any questions you may have about specific concerns or the general application process while you wait for a decision on your SSDI benefits.
Review the Decision
SSDI applications can take several months or longer before they are reviewed. If your application is denied, you have 60 days to appeal the decision. In this case, it is crucial to seek assistance from an experienced SSDI lawyer to appeal the decision. Your attorney can explain your options for appeal, and advise you on how long you may have to wait for a decision to be made in your case.
How Long Do SSDI Appeals Take?
Claimants must often endure several appeal process levels before obtaining the benefits they deserve. Others, unfortunately, never prevail. The time it will take for your claim to move through these stages of appeal will likely be out of your control.
Social Security examiners have different schedules and workloads. The state in which you live can also play a role in how long your appeal takes. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) estimates that claimants in Mississippi wait an average of 10.7 months before a hearing with an administrative law judge.
If you file a suit in federal court, or if your case proceeds to the Social Security Appeals Council, you will have to wait until your case is heard to receive a decision on your benefits. This can take more than a year.
Contact an Oxford Social Security Disability Lawyer Today
From your application’s initial review to a possible appeal for an unfavorable decision, it may take months or even years to obtain the Social Security Disability benefits you deserve. Our Oxford SSDI lawyer can help navigate the difficult process, allowing you to focus on your health.
Roberts Wilson, P.A. has served clients throughout Mississippi for over a decade. We know how frustrating it can be to face the SSDI process alone, and we are committed to overcoming obstacles to help you secure your financial future.
If you need help with your Social Security Disability application, contact Roberts Wilson, P.A. today online or at (662) 533-9111 for a FREE initial consultation. We welcome clients from Oxford, Holly Springs, Batesville, Pontotoc, and all of North Mississippi.
