How Long Do I have To Wait For A Decision About Social Security Disability Benefits?

What exactly is the Social Security Administration's biggest problem? Depends which side you ask.

If you ask someone who works for the troubled agency, they will tell you the toughest part of their job is trying to separate disabled workers from non-disabled workers.  Ask someone who has filed disability paperwork and they will tell you it's the amount of time it takes to get social security disability benefits. 

Both sides have valid arguments; however, one thing is certain, the social security disability administration faces a herculean task when you consider a little over 2 million workers filed for disability in 2006, and the number continues to rise each year. 

Social Security officials insist that the number of applications aren't the problem, it's the task of weeding out who is physically and/or mentally disabled and who isn't. Of the 2 million-plus people who filed for disability in 2006, approximately 550,000 were determined to be unfit to work. The same number of applicants were initially denied because it was determined that they were not medically disabled. And a large number of other applicants were denied social security disability for nonmedical reasons. The remaining 300,000-plus? They didn't receive an immediate ruling on their application.

While it sounds like tough odds, there is hope: A little more than half of applicants applying for social secuirty disability ultimately received their benefits.

The majority of applicants with legitimate disabilities are often forced to file an appeal. After the applicant has filed the appeal, the odds of receiving benefits increase dramatically. In fact, the numbers say that a little more than half of applicants ultimately receive benefits. But keep in mind, most of the applicants who eventually receive their disability benefits may wait years before receiving a favorable ruling.

Is there anything that can increase your odds? Absolutely. Hiring a qualified social security disability attorney.