After being seriously injured or developing a serious medical condition, a person may wonder whether their disability could earn them Social Security disability benefits. While you may be able to secure Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may offer better benefits to help you manage expenses resulting from your disability. If you are applying for disability benefits in Arkansas and you are concerned about how long it will take to successfully claim your benefits, contact our experienced Arkansas disability benefits lawyer today. Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, has practiced law for over 20 years, and in that time, he has helped many residents of Arkansas obtain the disability benefits they needed. Arkansas disability benefits attorney Ken Kieklak is here to talk about how long it might take to be awarded disability benefits in Arkansas.
How Long Does It Take to Apply for Disability Benefits in Arkansas?
There is no way to say how long it may take to get disability benefits in Arkansas with 100 percent certainty. However, you may be able to estimate the duration of a claim for SSDI benefits depending on the facts of your case.
Applicants for SSDI benefits should know that there may be multiple steps they may have to endure to successfully claim their benefits. For first-time applicants, the initial process could last more than three months or considerably longer if the initial claim is denied.
One of the primary reasons that an initial SSDI claim for benefits could take so long is because the applicant will have to submit extensive medical records and other types of evidence to determine their eligibility to be a recipient of SSDI benefits. Once a person has sent the required forms to the Social Security Administration (SSA), representatives from the SSA will diligently pore over every detail of the application.
If the SSA finds that the severity of the applicant’s disability will not keep them from working or may not result in death, they may deny the application. For example, if you have a disability but are still able to earn thousands of dollars per month while working, your claim for SSDI will be rejected.
You should not become distraught if your initial application is declined, as roughly 70 percent of first-time SSDI claims are rejected. Fortunately, you have the option to appeal your case if you were not awarded SSDI benefits. Our Johnson, AR disability benefits attorney is here to address your questions if your first claim for benefits was not successful.
How Long Does It Take to Appeal a Disability Benefits Claim in Arkansas?
If your initial claim for disability benefits was not approved by the SSA, you could file an appeal challenging the findings of the SSA. As mentioned, many first-time applicants will have their application denied because the medical information they supplied was insufficient. For instance, if a person does not explain why their condition should be treated as a disability that is worth SSDI benefits, their claim will not be successful.
Upon getting rejected for SSDI benefits, the applicant should consider bringing their case to an Fayetteville, AR disability benefits lawyer that could help gather new evidence for their claim.
The appeals stage of an SSDI application could take about four months before a person receives notice of the SSA’s decision. As a result, an applicant could be waiting nearly a full year before they could be a recipient of disability benefits. Unfortunately, an applicant’s appeal could also be denied, which will add more months to their SSDI claim.
Length of Time for Disability Benefits Hearing in Arkansas
Another concern when seeking disability benefits is how long it could take to secure an appeal hearing regarding the matter. The answer is different depending upon which stage of the appeals process the applicant has reached.
Administrative Law Judge Hearing
When a first-time application and an appeal is denied, a person will need to request a hearing that is presided over by an administrative law judge. In a hearing for SSDI benefits, a person will have the option to personally offer testimony and other evidence before the judge.
Note, however, that securing a hearing for your benefits could take nearly nine months or more, and you may be waiting a few more months before you receive a judgment.
Appeals Council
It is important to note that a disability benefits hearing is not the final option for a person that needs SSDI benefits. If an administrative law judge does not approve your petition for disability benefits, you could bring the case to the SSA’s Appeals Council. The Appeals Council will examine the ruling of the judge and decide whether it should be upheld. If the judge’s decision is upheld, the applicant will only have one more option to litigate for benefits. This stage of the process could result in wait times of a year or possibly longer.
Federal District Court
A federal district court is the last option for an applicant that has had their initial claim and subsequent appeals repeatedly denied. Not only will this option take up to a year, but you will have no other alternatives if the court agrees with the SSA’s decision.
Consult with a Qualified Arkansas Disability Benefits Lawyer About the Length of Your Claim
If you or a family member is concerned about how long it could take to receive SSDI benefits, contact our Arkansas disability benefits appeal lawyer. Ken Kieklak understands the troubles a person may have when living with a disability, and he is dedicated to working with you through the lengthy disability benefits process. Let our firm handle all the details of your SSDI benefits application. Contact Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, at (479) 316-0438 to schedule your free legal consultation today. Prospective clients could also use our website to make a confidential consultation.