If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability and feel stuck waiting, you’re not alone. The process can be painfully slow, but there are a few smart, legal strategies I use to help move cases forward without hurting long-term odds.

Here are four that can make a real difference.

1. Congressional Inquiries

This involves contacting your congressperson and reporting that your claim is taking too long. If your disability claim is taking longer than 6 to 8 months for a decision I recommend going to the websites for your representatives in Congress and filing a congressional inquiry. Your Congressperson will then contact the SSA which has the effect of getting your case “unstuck” on whatever issue was holding it up. 

2. Dire needs letters

If you lack access to basic necessities like shelter, food, basic utilities, or medication, the SSA can expedite your claim. After submitting the letter, follow up to make sure it is being processed. Call the SSA and confirm your case has officially been marked as dire needs and is being expedited.

3. Waiving the 75-day hearing notice

At the hearing level, you’re entitled to 75 days’ notice before your hearing date. You can waive that right to get an earlier hearing by submitting a letter to the SSA. But only do this after all medical records are submitted to the SSA on your claim.. Asking for a faster hearing and then showing up unprepared is not a good look with a judge.

4. Responding quickly to the SSA

This one sounds obvious, but it adds up. You get 60 days to appeal at the initial and reconsideration levels. If you use all 60 days both times, you’ve added four extra months to your case. The same goes for SSA forms. Delays in returning paperwork quietly stretch claims out much longer than necessary.

Action Items:

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If you want to book a call with our team to discuss applying for disability, call us at 972-532-6375 or book a time using this link.