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How Long Does it Take to Get SSI or SSDI if You Have a Lawyer?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

When you suffer a disability from a medical condition or a major injury, time is not always on your side. You need financial assistance as soon as possible. Applying for disability help through the Social Security Administration is not a speedy process by any means but is a necessary step to take.

There are two options for social security disability benefits. These are Social Security Disability (SSDI) payments for those who have already paid into the Social Security system through their employment, and Social Security Income (SSI) payments for those at lower income levels.

You can hire an independent lawyer or advocate to ensure you understand the steps involved for assistance with your claim. Either of these may even be able to help expedite the process overall. Start by requesting a free evaluation of your case.

If you are filing for either of these types of benefits, there are distinct advantages to hiring an experienced lawyer or law firm for legal advice and representation, starting with the application and taking you all the way through the entire process, including any appeals. This assistance may even help speed up the time it takes to receive your benefits if your application is granted.

Filing Process for SSI or SSDI

One of the most important parts of attorney or advocate involvement in your Social Security Disability claim, whether it be for SSI or SSDI, is the claim’s procedural aspects. With forms to fill out and deadlines to meet, a lawyer can provide guidance to make sure you avoid mistakes, which can delay your claim even longer, especially if you have to refile documents again.

In Michigan, it can take anywhere between three to five months to process an initial application. Because of this, you want to assure you complete that application correctly the first time and provide all necessary information for review of your claim. This is where your Social Security Disability Lawyer can guide you and confirm you have thoroughly and correctly filled out that initial application.

One part of the application process is the inclusion of sufficient medical evidence to support your disability claim. For this, you need an attorney well versed in not only legal procedures but also medical knowledge. Eileen Kroll, a senior partner with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. in Michigan, has expertise as a registered nurse and a personal injury attorney, a winning combination in any disability claim.

In addition to medical records, you can increase your chances of success by providing conclusive evidence showing you are unable to work because of the disability. This is another key ingredient to a successful application. A skilled lawyer working on your behalf will be able to convey why your medical condition or injury prevents you from working and being gainfully employed.

The final decision on your claim by the Social Security Administration will take considerably longer than you might like. It will depend largely on the complexities of your particular situation and your location. Many locations are swamped with applications, and this can affect how quickly yours is reviewed.

The best and most essential thing you can do is assure you have provided everything needed to help them make a quick decision. By doing so, you may lessen your wait time for a response and for receiving benefits once your application is granted.

What Happens If Your Application is Denied?

If you receive final notice that your application is denied, don’t panic and give up hope. A large majority of applications are denied for one reason or another initially.

Your Michigan attorney, at this point, can request a reconsideration of your application. If this also receives a denial, the next step is to file an appeal within 60 days.

Once the appeal is filed, a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge is scheduled. Be aware that the wait time for obtaining a hearing date can be lengthy, however, taking up to a year in some locations.

When you do finally receive an appeals hearing, your medical evidence records and inability to work argument will receive a thorough review in order for the judge to reach a decision. With a legal team experienced in hearings of this type, along with medical expertise, you are more likely to reach a successful decision in less time.

One of the additional keys to expediting the appeals process is hiring an attorney or law firm which is already experienced in disability claims and has an on-going relationship with the local Social Security Administration office. Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. in Michigan is one such firm.

We have experience and familiarity with the processes the judges and staff at the Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices within the state utilize, and we are always respectful in all our confident interactions.

How Long Until the Judge Makes a Decision?

SSDI

Once the appeal hearing concludes, your claim is entirely in the hands of the judge. He or she will evaluate the evidence and make a decision. You should then receive notice in approximately one to three months from the date of the appeal.

If Granted, When Will You Receive Your Benefits?

While working with an attorney can expedite the various processes involved in a Social Security Disability (SSDI) filing, there is no exact timeline for when you will receive benefits if your claim is granted. While the best-case scenario for the process, from start to finish, is between six and ten months, once the decision is reached and your application is granted, the timing can vary.

No two claims are exactly alike, and therefore no two timelines and outcomes can be definitively determined. Your attorney will know the next steps to take to ensure you receive your benefits as quickly as possible.

Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer Today

While there is no guarantee on a specific time frame for how quickly anyone can receive disability benefits, our team of experienced Social Security Disability attorneys will work diligently to reach a successful outcome. From filing the initial application to fighting for your rights in an appeal, Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. will go the additional mile for you or your loved one.

Get started today by contacting our law office at 1-866-MICH-LAW and scheduling your free case review and consultation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Emily is a writer and legal professional with experience as a law firm paralegal and non-profit legal administrator. Prior to her legal career, Emily earned her Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs and worked with a government consulting group out of Washington, D.C. Today she splits her time between the Florida coast and the North Carolina mountains.

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