Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits can be a long process. It typically requires you to wait for months before you get a response from anyone at the SSA. Your wait is particularly difficult when you are struggling to pay your bills because you cannot work. You are anxious to receive your disability check and may be wondering "How do I check the status of my Social Security Disability claim?"
Below are instructions for how to check the Social Security application status of your disability claim at the different stages of the SSDI application process.
APPLICATION STATUS UPDATES DURING THE INITIAL APPLICATION
SSA provides an online application that allows you to obtain the status of your initial claim. You can check it out here. You will need your application number in order process your request. You can also get a status update by contacting a representative at your local social security office.
You may also contact the disability examiner at the state agency reviewing your claim. This professional works at a disability office on the state level instead of with the SSA. It is typically easier to reach the disability examiner to ask questions about a specific application than it is to reach a representative at the SSA who can find information related to your application.
The disability examiner is able to tell you whether a decision is pending or complete, but the examiner cannot tell you whether the application was approved or denied.
A disability examiner may also be able to assist you with expediting the review process. However, it is important to understand that applications can only be expedited in special circumstances. A knowledgeable Louisiana SSDI attorney can help you better understand how to have the application process expedited.
APPLICATION STATUS UPDATES AFTER THE INITIAL APPLICATION BUT PRIOR TO THE ALJ HEARING
Application status updates following the initial application (or a reconsideration) can be obtained by contacting the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) disability examiner. However, the disability examiner can only tell you whether the case is scheduled, ready to schedule or currently being processed. They do not make a decision on the case and cannot tell you whether the case is approved or not.
APPLICATION STATUS UPDATES FOLLOWING THE ALJ HEARING
Once your hearing is held, again the ODAR disability examiner can help best. Again, however, they usually do not tell you if you were approved or denied, but only if the case was decided, still being decided, or further information is needed.
GETTING HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL
An experienced New Orleans SSD lawyer can help you complete paperwork in a timely manner and file appeals quickly. Application forms can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming but completing these forms in the proper manner in a timely fashion can help make the decision quicker.
While some people think it is important for you to be proactive about seeking status updates, I believe it is more important to ensure that you have provided all of the information necessary to make a decision quickly. Whether or not you are being represented by a disability attorney, this is the most important thing to getting a timely decision. Gathering updated information related to the status of an application can help you discover whether there were errors or omissions in the application that require you to provide updated information to the SSA.
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.