How Long Does a Social Security Disability or SSI Appeal Take?

November 2, 2018

There is no specific amount of time for how long Social Security disability or SSI appeal takes, as it differs depending on the appeals in the queue; however, the average wait time for a disability appeals hearing was approximately 22 months for the cases heard in Pittsburgh during August 2018, according to the Social Security Administration. Then, it can take several months after your hearing to learn the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.

The team from Berger and Green can help you fight for the disability benefits you need. We will help you understand your denial and build a solid case for approval during your appeals hearing. Call or text us today at 412-661-1400 to learn more.

Navigating the Pittsburgh Disability Appeals Process

When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Pittsburgh, two general issues could lead to a denial:

Technical Qualifications

Both SSDI and SSI have their own qualifications you must meet before the staff from the Social Security Administration field office will forward your claim to the Office of Disability Determination Services. If you do not meet these criteria or make a mistake on your application, you will receive a technical denial.

Proving You Suffer a Qualifying Impairment

The most difficult part of applying for disability for many people is proving they suffer from an impairment that prevents them from working. This requires you to provide medical evidence and your medical records to prove you either meet the rules listed under an impairment listing or suffer from a disability that prevents you from working.

Getting a Denial and Filing Your Appeal

If you fail to meet the required criteria, the Social Security Administration will deny your claim. You will receive an official denial notice which includes the instructions on requesting your appeals hearing.

You need to request your hearing — or let us take care of it for you — within 60 days of the denial. However, it can be well over one year before the date of your hearing arrives.

This hearing is in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who will determine if you meet the qualifications for SSDI and/or SSI. We will present the case we built on your behalf and argue for the full benefits we believe you deserve. The ALJ may also call in medical experts and others to help them understand your condition and abilities.

If we cannot get you approved during your appeals hearing, there are additional steps in the appeals process. We can discuss this possibility with you as necessary.

Contact one of our area Social Security Disability lawyers today to learn more:

You Only Have a Short Time to Appeal an SSDI or SSI Denial

If you do not file your request for a hearing within 60 days, you will need to submit a new application for SSDI or SSI benefits. In addition to forcing you into starting the application over again, this could mean you wait even longer to get the monthly payments you need. It also resets your application date, which may matter when it comes time to calculate your backpay and retroactive benefits.

While you can try to navigate the appeals process on your own, there is no reason why you need to. We offer free case evaluations, and you pay us no attorney’s fees until we secure the disability payments you need. Just give us a call when you receive your denial notice, and we will take care of the rest.

Let Berger and Green Handle Your Disability Appeal

If you suffer from a disability and cannot work, our team can help you fight for the SSDI and/or SSI benefits you need. Reach out to us as soon as you receive your denial. With our team on your case, you can focus on living your life while we take care of your appeal. We will:

Request a hearing date if there is sufficient time to do so
Investigate the reason behind the denial
Collect additional evidence to support your approval
Build a strong case for full benefits and back pay
Advocate for you to the Administrative Law Judge
Argue in favor of overturning your denial and approving you for benefits

While it can take a while before your hearing date arrives, we are available any time to answer questions or address concerns you may have about your case. Call or text us now at 412-661-1400 to get started.

If your disability occurred because of an accident, we can also review the facts of your situation. You may qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit and collect additional compensation. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, so we do not get paid unless you do.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Appeals Attorney

If the Social Security Administration denied your disability claim, the team from Berger and Green is here to help. We can request an appeals hearing and build a strong case to argue for your approval. Let us take on your case.

Call us today at 412-661-1400 for a free review and consultation with a member of our team.