When you become disabled, there’s a chance that you’ll be facing long-term problems. These can leave you unable to work, which means that you won’t have a way to support yourself. Filing for Social Security Disability Insurance might be on your list of things that you need to do so that you can have some income, but don’t think that this is going to be something quick.
More than 1% of people who filed an appeal for benefits between 2008 and 2019 died before their case was decided. That equates to 110,000 people who were left struggling until they perished. Despite that fact, the Chief of Staff of the Social Security Administration notes that the agency has “made significant progress” in prioritizing cases of individuals who have waited for decisions the longest.
Some individuals have conditions that are fast-tracked through the compassionate allowance program. This enables them to receive a determination a bit faster. There are only certain conditions that fall under this program. These are ones that are likely to result in the claimant’s rapid death. Without the qualification of a compassionate allowance, individuals who file are likely going to have a long wait to get a decision on their claims — and even more waiting time if they have to appeal a denial.
Because many applications for SSDI are denied, most people who file for benefits will have to file an appeal. Working closely with an attorney who’s familiar with these types of cases may help. They can ensure that the appeal is complete, which may help to expedite the process as much as possible. Ultimately, anyone who is trying to get these benefits should ensure that they’re ready for a battle.