How Long to get a Hearing on my Disability Claim?

How Long to get a Hearing on my Disability Claim?

The Social Security Administration is hiring more people to help with the tremendous backlog in disability claims. Unfortunately, this is occurring after the Administration forced another step in the disability process-a Request for Reconsideration. 20 years ago, Alabama had this step in the appeal process, but the Administration cancelled said step because-quite honestly-all it did was lengthen the time it took to get a hearing before an administrative law judge. This past October, Alabama and other States were made to reinstitute the appellate step.

So, how long does it take to get a hearing once your initial claim for disability benefits was denied? Over the last 27 years of handling Social Security Disability claims in Alabama and Tennessee, I have heard this question a lot.

In Alabama, the average time from when you initially apply for disability benefits to when you actually have a hearing on your case is 474 days. The national average is around 440 days, so Alabama is not far from the national average. In Nebraska, the average wait is 630 days. These times were before we were forced to reinstitute the Request for Reconsideration phase of an appeal

Having stated this, a delay is not always bad for your case. It allows you to continue seeking and receiving medical treatment, and these medical records can be used as evidence to support your claim for disability benefits.

If you believe that you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits or SSI benefits, my advice is to obtain the services of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney who can help you wade through the confusing paperwork and use this time to help prepare the best case possible and argue on your behalf before an Administrative Law Judge.

If you live in Alabama and believe that you are entitled to disability benefits, don’t hesitate to contact and talk with one of the experienced Alabama Social Security Disability attorneys at Powell and Denny. We are happy to speak with you for free and try to answer any questions you may have.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Hoover, AL and Huntsville, AL

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 6 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

Alabama Disability Attorneys
Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys
Huntsville Social Security Disability Attorneys

How Long to get a Hearing on my Disability Claim