Noteboom The Law Firm

Stay Updated on Wait Times for Disability

You likely know by now that the Social Security Administration is far behind when it comes to dealing with the influx of applications. If you applied for disability benefits recently, you might have been told by the SSA that you will likely wait up to five months, but the reality is that it could be much longer.

Some states in particular may be especially behind, but they are at least good about keeping applicants updated on wait times. For example, according to The Commercial Appeal, you can expect to wait about 538 days to get a hearing in Memphis, Tennessee. This is an increase of approximately three months since last year, and the wait is only getting longer.

There are more than one million people currently waiting to hear back, and some people might continue waiting for up to four years. Clearly, this is quite an issue if the affected people have no job. They often have to rely on family, charity, and state programs during the wait.  

Unfortunately for anyone in Tennessee, this state is known for being very picky regarding applicants. It has one of the lowest approval rates for claims, and a very low rate for successful appeals, as well.

One advantage of living in Tennessee is having an approximation of how long you will wait to hear an answer regarding disability benefits. While it is obviously a long time, it allows you the ability to plan ahead. If you are able to keep your job and any insurance coverage that comes with it, even if for a few months, the wait time might not be such a burden. Ensuring that you have access to savings is also helpful while you wait.

Whether you live in this state or elsewhere, you deserve to have an idea of how long you must wait for an answer. To stay updated on your claim or get any questions answered, contact your lawyer.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.