HOW LONG IS THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS?

The first stage of the Social Security disability process is called the Application Stage.  You submit an application and wait 3 to 5 months to get a decision.  The Social Security office sends your file to a state agency called the Disability Determination Service (DDS) to make a decision.  The time required depends on how long it takes to get all of your medical records, among other factors.

If you are denied at the Application Stage (most claimants are), you appeal and go into the "Reconsideration Phase." Here the state agency assigns a new person to review their previous decision to see if it was correct.  The decision is changed in only about 5 cases out of 100.  In Alabama, "Reconsideration" usually takes 30 to 60 days.  In Tennessee, it can take 6 to 12 months.

The third stage is the Hearing.  You appeal again and ask that your case be heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  While it once took up to 2 years to get a hearing, you may now get one scheduled in 6 to 8 months from the time of filing your request.

So, if your case requires all of these steps, Application through Hearing, you will easily spend 1 year or more waiting for a final decision.  Social Security disability is a slow, deliberate process that usually does not move quickly, except for very severe cases of obvious disability (such as a terminal illness or one a Compassionate Allowance).