The disability claims san diego ca admits in its fact sheet for people applying for Social Security Disability benefits that the process takes about three to five months before a decision is made on a claim. The wait is even longer if you were denied benefits and must go through the appeal process to overturn the adverse determination.
When you are living with a severe medical condition preventing you from working, it is natural to want to know what is going on with your disability claim. Several ways exist for you to check the status of your Social Security disability claim. One of the easiest and most convenient ways is by contacting a social security disability attorney lake county in, who will get you the information you want and assist in resolving any issues that exist with the claim, such as missing information or documentation.
Online method to check your disability claim
The status of initial applications for benefits, reconsideration of adverse determinations on your claim, or a request for a hearing can all be checked online using a free “my Social Security” account. If you do not have an account, setting one up is quick and easy and can be accomplished by going to the Social Security website.
Once you create an account, you can access information about your application or appeal, including:
- Date of filing.
- Current location of a claim.
- Servicing office location.
- Hearing date and time for claims on appeal.
- Re-entry number for an incomplete application.
Setting up an online account lets you go back to it for status updates as well as for information about your after the claim is approved.
Using the phone to check the status of a claim
If using an online account to access information about your Social Security disability claim does not appeal to you, the Social Security Administration lets you get information about the status of your claim over the phone. When calling the SSA, you should have the confirmation number for your claim available to expedite the handling of your request for information.
Contact your local Social Security office
You may have visited a local Social Security office or spoken to a representative from the local office to apply for benefits. The status of the claim can be checked by contacting them. If you need contact information, the Social Security website lets you input your ZIP code to receive the address and telephone number of your local field office. Your SSDI lawyer will help you get the information or obtain a status update for you.
Reasons to check on the status of your claim
Even though Social Security notifies you when it discovers that your application is incomplete or that additional medical evidence is needed to make a decision, it may take a while for a letter to be generated and for you to receive it through the mail. Periodically checking on the status of your claim allows you to learn about things that may hold up the process and respond to them quicker than by waiting to hear from Social Security.
For instance, Social Security requests medical records from your doctors to prove the medical condition that your application says causes the disability on which your claim is based. If you learn that your doctor’s office is not responding to the request, you can contact the health care provider to expedite the release of the medical evidence.
Another reason to check the status of an initial application for benefits or an appeal of an adverse determination has to do with time limits on how long you have to challenge actions taken by Social Security. You have the right to appeal a denial of Social Security disability benefits through a four-level appeal process that includes:
- Reconsideration.
- A hearing with an administrative law judge.
- Appeals Council review.
- Federal court through a civil action.
As a general rule, you must take action to move forward at any stage of the appeal process within 60 days from receiving notice of an unfavorable decision on your claim. By checking on the status of your application or appeal, you avoid missing a deadline because you did not receive a notice of determination sent to you by Social Security.
Working with an experienced SSD lawyer
Letting an experienced Social Security disability lawyer at The Clauson Law Firm, PLLC, handle your application for benefits or the appeal of an unfavorable determination, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your claim is in capable hands. When you want an update on the status of your claim, all it takes is a call to our SSI lawyer who can provide it to you along with steps our office took to address any issues that could cause a delay in the process.
