The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims process has never been quick. However, it has gotten a whole lot slower than it used to be.
Back in the 2010s, an SSDI applicant could expect to wait around three months to get a decision on their initial claim. As of early 2024, however, that wait is closer to eight months.
When you’re waiting for those benefits, that’s an overwhelming amount of time, so you want to do anything you can to speed the process along. Here are some suggestions.
Enlist your doctor’s support
The Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer considers your primary care physician’s opinion to carry as much weight as it once did, but that doesn’t mean your doctor can’t help your claim along. Asking them to promptly respond to requests for information, including things like the Residual Functional Capacity Assessment and gaining their support can help avoid an unnecessary and unfair denial that will lengthen the claim’s process.
Provide detailed information
The more information SSA has to track down, the slower your claim is going to proceed. You can shortcut a lot of the process by obtaining copies of your own medical records and submitting them with your claim. If that’s unfeasible, make certain that you provide accurate, complete contact information from each of your treating sources so that SSA doesn’t have to struggle to reach your providers.
Maintain contact
You may be asked to sign new medical release forms, update your medical information, answer additional questions about your work history and attend consultative medical examinations. If SSA cannot locate you or you don’t respond promptly to their requests, your claim may stall for an indefinite amount of time.
If you’ve been struggling to get your SSDI claim approved, it may be time to seek legal help.