How Long Does It Take To Get A Social Security Disability Decision?

Last Updated: 3/13/2025

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process can be vague, confusing or even cause worry. A common cause of concern among applicants is knowing how long it could take to get approved.

For anyone experiencing disability, many aspects of life may feel difficult or unstable. There may be a significant level of uncertainty, so eliminating unknowns can go a long way toward peace of mind. Understanding how long to expect to wait when seeking approval for SSDI helps to plan financially and emotionally while waiting for a decision.

There may be multiple timelines to consider. The time for a decision on your initial application is one thing, while different levels of appeals will make your wait time longer. There are also factors that may affect those timelines. When you choose a trusted disability representative like Allsup, it tends to reduce your timeline. Allsup helps more claimants get approved at the application level than any other SSDI representative nationwide.

How Long Does An Initial Application Take To Decide?

It takes around 8-10 months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process an initial SSDI application.

First, you fill out the necessary forms and gather the supporting documents (which can take time in itself) like your work history and medical documentation, then submit the application.  Then, the SSA reviews the application and supporting evidence and a decision is made based on the information provided.

How quickly you obtain and submit medical records can significantly impact the processing time. If the SSA requires additional medical evaluations, this may also extend the timeline.

Your initial application can benefit from the use of an experienced disability representative like Allsup. We submit complete information with your application, handle communication with the SSA and manage any requests for additional information in a timely manner. The statistics bear this out, as 97% of those who complete the SSDI process with Allsup receive benefits.

How Long Does An Appeal Take?

The time it takes to get a decision on your appeal varies by level. The multiple levels of appeals are as follows:

1. Reconsideration: This is the first step if your initial application is denied. A new person at the SSA reviews your application, taking into account any new medical evidence or information you provide. This is a second look at your case to see if the initial decision was a mistake.
2. Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing with an ALJ. This judge will review your case in-depth. During the hearing, you can explain your situation in person, provide additional evidence, and answer questions. An ALJ hearing gives you the chance to be heard directly.
3. Appeals Council Review: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the judge's decision. The Appeals Council looks at whether the ALJ made any errors or missed something important. They can either approve your claim, send it back to the hearing level for another look, or deny your request if they agree with the ALJ’s decision.
4. Federal Court Review: The final level of appeal is a federal court review. If the Appeals Council denies your request or you disagree with their decision, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. A judge will review your case to see if the SSA followed the law and made a fair decision. This is usually a last resort but provides one more opportunity for a thorough review.

These levels exist to make sure that you have many chances to get a fair review of your case. There are a lot of reasons the SSA strives to make the process as fair as possible, including:

• Catching mistakes: The first review might miss important details. A second look can help catch these, especially if you have new information.
• Complex medical cases: Disability claims involve lots of medical records that can be interpreted differently, so a hearing can allow decision-makers to hear directly from you.
• Fairness check: Multiple levels help prevent unfair decisions. If one reviewer denies your claim, others can check if mistakes were made or provide additional consideration of the claim.
• Legal review: Federal courts can verify that SSA followed all rules correctly.
• Second chances: You can add new information at each level, which is helpful if your condition gets worse or you get more medical evidence.

While the process can take time, these levels exist to give you the best chance at a fair decision.

How Long Does It Take Decide A Reconsideration (First Appeal)?

The Reconsideration process usually takes about 8-10 months, which is in addition to your initial application timeline.

You first submit new or updated medical evidence to support your claim, then a new representative conducts a Disability Determination Services (DDS) review, which is really a second look.

The DDS workload and the volume of cases awaiting review impact the Reconsideration timeframe. This appeal is a fresh review, allowing for new medical information that might strengthen your case.

Experienced disability representatives are skilled and know how to navigate the appeals process, which increases the likelihood of a timely review while avoiding unnecessary obstacles.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Hearing Before An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)?

The average wait time for an ALJ hearing is an additional 9-18 months.

Once you request a hearing, your case is added to the queue. During the hearing, evidence is presented, and you testify to support your claim. If you have a representative, they do not testify and cannot testify for you. They are there to make sure a fair hearing takes place and cross examine experts if necessary.

Local hearing office backlogs and the availability of ALJs in your region can significantly impact the wait time for this appeal. Another time consideration is the preparation for a hearing.

Properly researching to prepare, organizing the documentation in a complete manner and knowing how to communicate most effectively during the hearing itself are all specialized skills that are best handled by a disability representative like Allsup. Expert support can ease the process and ensure you’re ready to present your case effectively.

How Long Does It Take To Get An Appeals Council Review?

An Appeals Council review generally takes an additional 6-12 months.

If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request a review from the Appeals Council. This council is a group within the SSA that provides a final internal review before any federal court involvement.

The Appeals Council doesn’t re-hear your case, but instead reviews the ALJ’s decision to determine if there were any legal errors or issues with how the evidence was evaluated. They check for mistakes in the application of the SSA’s rules or for instances where the ALJ’s decision didn’t align with established guidelines. Their workload and the complexity of your case impact the review time.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Federal Court Review?

A Federal Court Review can range from an additional several months to over a year, depending on court schedules and the specifics of your case.

This is the highest and final appeal level, and it brings your case into the judicial system, outside the SSA. In this action, you file a lawsuit against the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. The suit argues that the SSA’s decision was not in accordance with federal law or that it was not based on substantial evidence.

The federal judge doesn’t re-evaluate your medical evidence or make a new disability determination. Instead, the judge reviews the case record to determine if the SSA properly followed the law, considered all evidence fairly and made an evidence-supported decision.

At this level, legal expertise is essential and can make a powerful difference.

What Are Factors That Affect The Decision Timelines?

The time it takes to receive an SSDI decision depends on several factors that influence each step of the process, from initial application to potential appeals. Understanding these elements will give you a clearer picture of why some cases take longer than others.

- Nature of disability: Certain conditions, especially those requiring extensive evaluation or medical evidence, may take longer to process.

- Medical evidence: Gathering thorough documentation from healthcare providers is critical, and delays in obtaining records can slow the process.

- SSA requirements: Additional medical exams, known as consultative examinations, may be requested, adding to the timeline. These are typically requested when the SSA needs more information to make a decision in your case.

- Quality reviews and backlogs: Some applications are randomly selected for quality assurance reviews, and the SSA’s caseload can create delays, especially in states with higher processing times.

By understanding these factors, you can prepare for each stage with more realistic expectations. With trusted disability representation, like Allsup, you can take on these challenges more confidently and effectively.

Is There Anything That Can Make The Process Go Faster?

Some cases may qualify for expedited processing, which can shorten the timeline.

• Compassionate Allowances and terminal illnesses: Certain conditions allow for expedited review, sometimes resulting in a decision within 30 days.
• Geographical variations: Processing times can vary by state due to differences in local office workloads.
• SSA staffing levels: Retiring employees, an underfunded budget and a high amount of cases combine to extend processing times.

When you apply for SSDI, accuracy and completeness matter. Many denials happen because confusing or inadequate information was provided – or critical information was missing.

The most important factor is that expertise matters.

Claimants who had a representative received benefits at a rate three times higher than a claimant with no representative. (GAO source https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-37)

What Help Is Available While I Am Waiting For A Decision?

The wait time for approval can cause bills to pile up.

Our experience in successfully representing more than 400,000 people to receive their benefits has given us key insight into the “big picture” needs.

To help address your financial needs, Allsup offers Disability Financial Solutions^® to provide stability and resources for individuals facing extended wait times. These range from healthcare insurance help and mortgage relief to savings across everyday expenses such as food, utilities, prescriptions, medical bills and credit card debt.

These financial solutions can ease some of the financial pressure, helping you manage basic expenses and stay focused on your health and future.

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