Checking Your Disability Claim Status
It can be frustrating to wait for the decision on your disability benefits claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically decides within four to six months, though it is not uncommon to take longer. If your application has been denied twice and you have requested a hearing, the waiting can be much longer – as long as two years or more. This is true whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
You’ll want to check your Social Security Disability status every now and then. If you’ve been waiting for months, it’s reasonable to check every few days. This helps alleviate your worries and lets you know of any potential obstacle delaying your claim.
How To Find Out If You Have Been Approved Or Denied For Disability Benefits
To officially inform you whether your disability application has been approved or rejected, the SSA will send you a notice of their decision by mail. If it is a rejection, the SSA will send a Notice of Disapproved Claim or Notice of Reconsideration depending on the stage of the claim. The official mail is the most certain way you can know of the approval or denial of your application.
Checking Disability Status Online
If you haven’t received the mail yet, you can check the status of your SSDI or SSI claim yourself. The fastest way to do this is online. Go to the My Account page of the SSA website. If you already have an account on the site, you can simply log in. If not, you only need to fill out a few simple forms to set up your account.
Once you have logged in, you will see information on your claim status including:
- The date when the SSA received your application or appeal
- Whether the SSA has made a decision on your claim
- The location of the office that’s currently looking into your application or appeal
- The date and time of hearings you must attend, if any.
Other Ways To Check SSDI Or SSI Claim Status
If you are more comfortable talking directly to the SSA to ask about your application status, you can call the main SSA number at 1-800-772-1213. They are available Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 7 PM.
You may also get in touch with your local Social Security office. You can use the SSA’s office locator to find the contact details of the Social Security office near you.
How To Check Social Security Appeal Status Or Hearing Status
If you are in the process of appealing your application, you can also check your disability appeal status through the methods described above.
In particular, if you are waiting for the schedule of your hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you can expect a notice by mail that informs you of your hearing date and venue. If you haven’t received the written notice, you can check using the methods described above, unless your file has already been transferred to an appeals office. In this case, you will want to contact the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) to which your file has been forwarded.
What To Do If There Is A Delay In Your Disability Claim
It’s crucial to be updated with the progress of your claim so that you can address any snags immediately. If you haven’t received the official mail that you are expecting, don’t hesitate to contact the SSA or your local Social Security office. Also double-check that you have provided them with your correct address; if you have moved during your application, ensure that you have updated your mailing address to the new one.
If there is any concern that is delaying your claim, get the assistance of a disability attorney. The disability application process can get complex, especially if you have been previously denied. Your lawyer can help you iron out delays and avoid further mistakes down the road.
Contact us at the Gillette Law Group for disability application assistance in Virginia. We have helped numerous Virginians succeed in their disability claims, and we can help you, too. Call us at (855) 873-2604 today.
