How long it takes to receive disability decision | Arthritis Information

I remember people asking how long it took to get a disability decision and I was going to post this in one of the threads we had started about disability information, but the search function keeps coming up with errors for me, so I'm starting this thread.

I applied for SSDI (Social Security Disability Income, the one for those with working credits) in August and just received their decision, so about 3 months for me. Since the determining is farmed out from Social Security to the state (NJ in this case), it may vary a great deal depending on where you live. The decision on my initial filing was a rejection...not surprising since many/most people are rejected the first time out. I have heard that the average time to get approved is 2 years, but I don't have anything to back that up.

What I was not prepared for was that they listed a number of reasons why they rejected me (I was just expecting either "approved" or "denied") and none of them made sense. For example, they said my existing treatment is working. It is helping about 10%, not enough to continue it, and certainly not enough to allow me to work. So now it is time to appeal.

For those who didn't read the earlier threads and are interested, you can file your initial claim on-line as I did. This gives you the added benefit of taking time to think about your answers, and to gather information (such as doctor info and such), which is very helpful when the inflammation affects our brains. You can also stop and go back to where you were, and it helps to print it all out as you go since they do not send you a copy (or create your answers in Word and copy and paste them into their application). Here's the link: http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/adult.htm

Once you have submitted it, you still need to either go to the local SSA office or mail your *original* birth certificate and other credentials. Then I was scheduled for a phone interview during which they would have filled out my application if I had not already done so. Instead she asked a simple few questions about what I wrote, made sure it was complete, and copied/pasted it from one system to another.

Next they spent time getting records from my doctors and such, notifying me when they hadn't received certain items so that I would contact the doctors to get it done. After about 2 months, they scheduled me for an appointment with a doctor they hired to evaluate my range of motion and such. While she was pleasant, she did a poor job of telling me what she wanted from me and I was quite confused by the whole thing...I suspect that negatively affected her report (which they tell me is available at my regular rheumy and I'll ask next time I go). And that was basically the whole process til I received my decision in the mail.

Now to appeal, I have contacted an attorney (some people use one from the start) and I need to file a request for reconsideration within 30 days, along with a report which I presume will ask me to prove my case in light of the reasons they've given.

I am fortunate that my last employer provided Long Term Disability Insurance and I am currently receiving benefits from them. They require me to apply for SSDI (and appeal any denials) because it would lower their cost burden, even though the total benefits I receive would remain the same.

For those who do not have the appropriate number of working credits but you have qualifying financial need, you can apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income). See more information at this link: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/.

InnerGlow2008-12-03 17:09:57Hi Suzanne, I think we have talked before regarding this issue. I filed in Oct 2005 and have had my Hearing with a denial from the judge so now have appealed that. I think that it now takes more than 2 years unfortunately but I will wait them out.

My denial had about 12 to 15 reasons why I was denied all of them either severely taken out of context or down right untrue. Hang in there we have to fight for our benefits.

Take care,

Bonny

I'm sorry you were denied, but I'm sure having an attorney will help with the appeal process..

My experience was different from yours. First my Rheumy advised me to make an appt. at the SS office and appear in person and he said to not try to "look good" because my demeanor would be noted. The person took my information and had me sign some doctor releases, made copies of my birth certificate and SS card, and in about a week I received by mail, the long forms to fill out. I got a letter a few weeks later with the name of the contact person in the office that checked all the information. I sent an additional doctor's name and address to her. They never asked me to see their doctor and in six months I received my first payment and a week after that the letter dated a month previously stating my approval. Yes, the money came before the letter!!! I really believe I was approved so fast because the doctor had very complete notes, lab tests and xrays, and because I was very careful in filling out the forms to follow advice I had found on line and tell them what I could NOT do using my worst days as an example. There are a lot of places to go on the internet to see how these forms should be filled out and what language to use.
Ann

I definitely based things on my bad days, of which there are many, but I didn't think to look up sample language...I'll have to check that out. When I went to their doctor, I looked how I do on my bad days, which is pretty bad. And I didn't complain when she stuck with me safety pins to check my sensation (and they didn't look sterile, um helloooo I'm immune compromised).

But the problem I see is that because I'm resting and on round-the-clock pain meds, they can't even see the full extent of how I'd be without that, much less if I were working. It's very frustrating, but I knew it would be.

Fortunately for me, my private insurer uses a different set of criteria and I was approved quickly by them, and by the state for short-term disability (which is now over).

As an attorney who doesn't do disability work, I have seen some of this from the sidelines. There are attorneys out there who seriously know what they are doing. They have seen how the system works, and they know how to work the system. But like Ann says the internet resources may work as well. Good luck Suzanne--I hope this goes quickly for you!Hi Innerglow,

It took me maybe a week to receive denial letters for both types of ssi. I have spent the entire year in the hospital with ra complications and possilbe recurrent blood clots. so not enough worked quarters.

I have started the rituxan but with so much damage in the last year to my joints, it won't be my old job I return to. I wish. but not likely.

I will appeal but not holding my breath.

I tried 10 years ago and was also denied, appealed it, the judge said no back then too. however, admitted I had severe ra.

It didn't take that long for me if I remember correctly. I believe it was about a month or two after applying when I was notified of a decision. I actually got lucky and was approved on the first try. A woman that worked with my mother that has had JRA since she was 3 months old however, has fought for 3 years to get hers approved. I have no idea why it is so hard for some people and some get lucky and get a quick approval.

It stinks that you got denied but Ann is right, get an attorney that specializes in disability cases. This is what my dad had to do in order to win his disability appeal. This is easy to say, but don't give up I'm sure you will be approved eventually though it may take some time.

Good luck

Bob H.

I can't give up, it's a requirement of my private insurer that I appeal. They gave me a referral to a specific firm, so hopefully they will get it on the next try.HI Suzanne, I just wanted to say that thankfully I don't need to apply, but what a great informed post which I am sure will be of tremendous help to a lot of people, Well done, and hugs from Janie. Bob - your experience ties back into my comments (still haven't found the reference) about how men get diagnosed quickly, some women it takes years, so the average time for women to get diagnosed is a huge margin of disparity. It's like the news we get about women not getting the proper testing for heart disease, blacks not getting as good of treatment as whites. Actually, we could do a poll in here and I am sure it would come out with this premise proved.

It's just the way it is, society is set up to reward men quickly, and women are still second class citizens/minorities. It's just the way it is - you are very lucky. And RA victims need all the luck we can get against this monster.

justsaynoemore2008-12-04 04:44:17It took me 62 days for an approval . I ws 44 and have no other medical problem other than RAbuckeye2008-12-04 06:44:48 [QUOTE=buckeye]It took me 62 for an approval[/QUOTE]

Days/weeks/months?
days..I edited right after I posted [QUOTE=buckeye]days..I edited right after I posted[/QUOTE]

Gotchabuckeye, that is great that you were approved so quickly. Do you mind if I ask how long ago that was and/or in what state? I've heard before that the state you're in makes a huge difference. Plus I guess I'm kind of wondering with the current economic climate if they are getting even tighter with the approvals in general.

inflamed, does your state offer short-term disability benefits? If so, you may be able to go out on disability and collect those benefits while applying for SSDI. The approval for that in my state is very quick, and basically just requires the doctor's certification and some info from your job. The problem with working part time while you are sick is that if you eventually do apply for short-term disability or SSDI, your benefits will be based on the wages you made, including the time it was only part-time, thereby effectively reducing your benefit amount. Since they don't give you the equivalent of 100% of your wages (it's like 60% or less), and you are working to give yourself the bare minimum, going on disability later would mean you'd be below that level. This does not apply to SSI as far as I know, because that is based on financial need rather than work history.

Edited to add, I'm not suggesting that anyone who can work should go on disability to avoid working part time. I don't have the answers, but believe everyone should have the information. For myself, at the point I went out on disability, I could not have worked 3 days/week consistently even if I had that opportunity.

InnerGlow2008-12-04 10:19:36I live in Ohio which has one of the longest backlogs. I think there were some things in my favor. 1) I've had 7 major joints replaced 2) I used an advocate from day 1 3) my drs were totally supportive and their medical notes did not contradict each other or my claims 4) I had already been off work a year before I applied ( I have ltd) 5) I was very very specific when filling out my paperwork to state a problem and HOW IT RELATED TO WORK as well as activities of daily life. The govt doesn't care if you can't take care of yourself because of work..they want to know why you can't work. When filling out the paperwork think logically not emotionally don';t downplay anything and be very very specific. Wow lots of good information here.

I applied. About three months later was denied. Had an attorney from the get go. He appealed and I got denied in like a month. Now 17 months later I will have a hearing on the 12th. I am a nervos wreck. lol I am so afriad if the judge says no, then appeal or no appeal I will be denied for good.

shykymom if the judge denies your claim you can appeal to the Appeals Council and may get another hearing but if not then you can take your case to a Federal judge and can appeal that decision as well.

I was raised in KY, near Owensboro.

Take care.

Shykymom:

I hope you will succeed this time, but if by any chance you are denied by the judge, don't give up. You can file all over and start again.
Ann

[QUOTE=buckeye]I live in Ohio which has one of the longest backlogs. I think there were some things in my favor. 1) I've had 7 major joints replaced 2) I used an advocate from day 1 3) my drs were totally supportive and their medical notes did not contradict each other or my claims 4) I had already been off work a year before I applied ( I have ltd) 5) I was very very specific when filling out my paperwork to state a problem and HOW IT RELATED TO WORK as well as activities of daily life. The govt doesn't care if you can't take care of yourself because of work..they want to know why you can't work. When filling out the paperwork think logically not emotionally don';t downplay anything and be very very specific. [/QUOTE]

Very solid advice!