WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A JUDGE MAKES HIS DECISION ON YOUR DISABILITY CASE?

 After your disability hearing the judge will usually take some time to review the claimant's medical records, listen to the recorded testimony and review any other facts about the case.  This review process can take from one week to eight weeks. There are really no time limits or deadlines on the judge. Then he/she will make a decision.  But there is still more to be done before the claimant receives the decision.

Next, the claim moves to a decision writer.  This writer will use the judge's notes and the recordings of the hearing to write a formal decision.  This decision writing process can also take several weeks to complete.  When the decision is formally written, it goes back to the judge to see if any corrections or changes need to be made.  If so, it is returned to the decision writer for correction.  If not, the Judge signs the decision and mails out a copy to the claimant and one to the attorney.

If the decision is favorable, it goes to a payment processing center, such as the one in Birmingham or the one in Baltimore.  There the claim gets in line for the payment to be processed. 

Before the claimant receives a check for any back pay, he/she will receive a detailed letter from the Social Security office, explaining how much pay is coming and the dates of payments.

Finally, at last the back pay arrives.  It is sent as a lump sum or all in one payment.  Then monthly benefits will begin.  Monthly benefits are paid one month after they are due.  For example, the benefit for January is paid in February.

So, this explains why it may take a while to get paid even after the favorable decision has been made.

A final thought:  Social Security does not send paper checks for monthly benefits.  They require direct deposit to a bank account or use of an electronic debit card.  If the claimant wants to be paid cash, it is necessary to sign up for direct deposit with the local Social Security office.  This should be done well in advance of any expected payments.  Most claimants sign up for direct deposit when they file their initial application.