The length of time it takes for them to receive a decision on their claim is a common complaint among people who apply for disability benefits. The disability professionals at Sackett and Associates understand how frustrating waiting for disability benefits can be when a disabling medical condition prevents you from working.
Here is a look at the disability approval time California residents may face when applying for benefits to state and federal programs. It includes reasons for processing times and tips that may let you shorten them.
Approval time for short-term disability benefits in California
California is one of only a handful of states with disability programs for workers. The California Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides benefits for workers who cannot work because of an illness or injury that was not work-related, surgery, and pregnancy or childbirth. The benefits paid through SDI do not extend beyond 52 weeks of disability.
It takes about 14 days for the state to decide whether you can receive benefits. Processing delays may result if you submit an incomplete application or one without a medical certification of your disabling condition from your healthcare provider.
If you have a disabling medical condition expected to last for more than one year, the SDI program would not be adequate. For long-term disability benefits, you’ll need the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program administered by the Social Security Administration.
Processing time for the SSI and SSDI programs
SSI and SSDI provide long-term disability benefits for people with disabilities that have lasted or are expected to last for at least 12 months or are expected to result in death. According to the Social Security Administration, it generally takes 6 to 8 months to process a claim and issue an initial decision, but some claims may take longer to process.
Delays in the time it takes for Social Security to complete its initial review process may result from the following:
- Inconsistent or missing information in the application.
- Nature of the disability.
- Your medical providers not responding promptly to requests by Social Security for documentation of your medical condition.
- Social Security needs to send you for an additional medical examination.
A disability attorney from Sackett Law can help avoid delays by reviewing the application to identify and address errors, missing information, or other issues before it is submitted. The attorney also monitors the progress of the review process to be aware of requests made by the Social Security Administration and take steps to ensure a timely response.
Don’t be surprised by an unfavorable initial decision. More than 65% of the applications received annually by Social Security result in a denial of the claim. Challenging a denial of benefits through the appeals process often results in approval for many claimants, but the appeal process takes time. However, the wait could be worth it.
Processing time for the appeals process
The appeals process has four levels or steps:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ)
- Appeals Council review
- Federal court review
The appeals process begins with reconsideration, where a new claim examiner reviews the file to determine if denying the claim was the correct decision. A decision favorable to you at any level ends the appeals process.
Reconsideration generally takes 3 to 9 months for a decision. If your claim goes on to the hearing level, it adds to the SSI and SSDI processing time until you know whether the claim is approved.
After your disability attorney requests a hearing, it takes months to schedule a hearing date. How long it takes depends on the number of claims at your local hearing office. For example, the wait for an SSI application California hearing could be 8 to 9 months in some parts of the state. Appeals Council and federal court reviews take longer, extending the time you wait to more than a year.
Is the waiting worth it? According to data released by the Social Security Administration, 50% of the claims heard by ALJs were approved. Results achieved by other people do not assure similar results for you, so rely on the advice and guidance of your Sackett Law disability lawyer.
Expediting the Approval Process
Social Security has programs to reduce the disability benefits timeline for approval. The Quick Disability Determinations and Compassionate Allowances programs utilize technology to screen applications and identify claimants with severe disabilities, whose claims can be expedited with approvals within days instead of months.
Consult a Sackett Law attorney for more information about the approval process
The disability benefits team at Sackett and Associates is committed to giving you the best chance of achieving approval of your claim for disability benefits as quickly as possible. Learn more about how Sackett Law can make a difference by contacting us for a free consultation and claim evaluation.
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