Social Security Disability cases can take from 1 to 2 years to get a final decision.
This, of course, causes a lot of hardship for someone who cannot work and is without income for such a long time.
The initial stages can take from 4 months to 10 months.
There really is no way to speed up the process at the initial stages if you have a financial hardship.
You can explain your hardships, but there is little to be done to make the Disability Determination Services unit move faster.
At the hearing level, while you are waiting for your hearing to be scheduled you can request a faster hearing date.
The hearing office will consider things such as a pending eviction or foreclosure.
However, there is no rule requiring that they move you to the front of line.
There are circumstances that will move your decision up.
If your disability began while you were a member of the military you are eligible for an expedited hearing.
If you have a terminal illness Social Security will review your claim faster.
There is also a list of presumptive disability conditions such as ALS and end stage renal disease.
There is also a compassionate allowances list. It speeds up the decision making for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
You can also ask your Congress person or United States Senator to become involved. Their office may be able to speed up the process at times.
Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.