In case your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been rejected and you choose to advance to the subsequent phase; the appeal hearing, it’s probable that you’ve already devoted a considerable amount of time seeking these benefits. Dealing with a disabling condition brings about financial and medical challenges which make waiting for benefits strenuous.
Several elements that hinder the speed of appeal hearings are beyond the control of the claimant. These include the schedule of your administrative law judge, insufficient funds, or administrative complications. However, there are certain measures you can employ that might expedite this process.
Initiate a Congressional Inquiry
One way to speed up the scheduling of a disability appeal hearing is by initiating a congressional inquiry. This process entails reaching out to your local senator or congressperson’s office and asking them to liaise with the ODAR on your behalf.
For a congressional inquiry to take place, it’s necessary for your representative or senator to get in touch with the ODAR, requesting an earlier date for your hearing. This kind of intervention from a government official may lead to your hearing being advanced by several months, although it might not result in any change. Regardless, it will not detrimentally affect your qualification for disability benefits.
Talk to an Attorney
Engaging a Social Security lawyer to submit your disability application might be the most efficient approach to expedite your case through the QDD process. While self-application is possible, involving an attorney could potentially quicken the proceedings.
It’s also an effective strategy to guarantee you receive your rightful maximum benefits promptly. A long term disability claims attorney can procure (and finance) medical documents that bolster your claim without demanding immediate payment for this service. They can even assist you in completing your application using terminology that unequivocally indicates your condition matches a disability listing in the SSA’s Blue Book.
Submit Your Appeals before the Due Date
If the SSA rejects an application, you possess the right to “appeal” this decision. This means you can request a review of your application by a person uninvolved in the initial decision. The first appeal, known as “reconsideration,” involves a separate claims examiner reassessing the evidence provided in the original application, as well as any new evidence.
During the second appeal, which is a hearing, a judge independently evaluates all the evidence. You have 60 days to present your appeal to the SSA. To quicken the process, lodge your appeal as early as possible. Using the full 60-day period could delay your claim and potentially cause you to miss the deadline for appeal.
Being Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness
Should you be suffering from a terminal illness and satisfy all the non-medical prerequisites for SSI or SSDI, it is possible to expedite the processing of your benefits. The Social Security administration has instituted a program known as TERI which is designed to accelerate applications where the claimant has reported a terminal illness or a typically terminal condition.
In the event that either you or a family member is afflicted with a terminal illness, it’s crucial to include all relevant medical documentation when submitting your initial application to hasten the process. If hospice care is being received (whether at a facility or home-based), it’s important to inform Social Security as this is a key factor they consider when identifying potential TERI cases.
Endnote
These are the few methods to speed up the processing of disability claims. Given that both federal and state laws regulate these applications, the process can become quite daunting. Engaging the services of lawyers can help secure a positive and quick resolution for your application.
