How Long Will My Case Take?
It’s difficult to say just how much time your case will take. In the past 10 years, the number of applications for disability benefits has gone up almost 50%. With the struggling economy, many are turning to the government for help.
Some people get approved in 3 months—for others, it takes 2 years. The amount of time it takes to resolve your case depends on how many times Social Security denies your claim.
To improve your chance of success or to get a decision back faster, it may be to your benefit to seek help from an Indiana Social Security disability lawyer.
Initial Application: 3-5 Months
Typically, Social Security will issue a decision on your initial application within 3 to 5 months of you submitting your application. However, 67 percent of initial applicants are denied at this stage, according to Social Security’s most recent statistics.
Appeal: 2-4 Months
If your initial application is denied, you can choose to appeal. You only have 60 days after you receive your initial rejection to file an appeal. The appeals process is typically shorter than the initial application process. Since not much new information comes to light over the course of the 2-4 month process, few people get approved at this stage. In fact, 88 percent of appeal cases are again rejected.
Hearing: 1.5-2 Years
After you receive your denial letter regarding your appeal, you only have 65 days to request a hearing. This is the stage in which you will likely have to wait the longest. Because of Social Security’s backlog of cases, most applicants have to wait years to get their hearing scheduled. Indianapolis residents have to wait an average of 17 months to get a hearing.
Attending the Hearing and Receiving Your Final Decision: 60-90 Days
At the hearing, an administrative law judge will listen to your case. Since years have likely elapsed since you first filed for disability benefits, your Indiana Social Security disability attorney will likely have more evidence to show the judge that you really do qualify for disability. At this stage, 45 percent of applicants get approved for disability. This last part of the process typically takes only 60-90 days.
Help from an Indiana Social Security Disability Attorney
Since the process is so long and complicated, many people find it beneficial to hire an Indiana Social Security disability attorney to make sure they have an experienced lawyer on their side. Wherever you are in the process of applying for disability, Hensley Legal Group can help. Call today for a free consultation, or contact us online.