How long does the Connecticut, Hudson Valley, or  Metropolitan New York  Social Security disability application and appeal process take?

Pursuing your Social Security disability claim through to the appeal level where you have the best odds of winning disability benefits requires some patience. As you may know, the Social Security disability evaluation and appeals process can be complicated, frustrating and lengthy. Having an experienced  disability attorney handle your case will increase your chance of success, but there is little your attorney can do to speed up the process.

The following is a breakdown of the average amount of time each Social Security disability stage takes and the rate of success:

• Initial applications. Nationally, it takes an average of 120 days for a Social Security disability applicant to receive an answer from the Social Security Administration on his or her initial application. 35% are awarded benefits at this level. Out of the applicants whose applications are denied by the Social Security Administration, 52% will abandon their claims and 48% will appeal. The numbers are similar for Manhattan and Brooklyn disability claims.
• Reconsideration. Claimants who appeal to the first level will wait a national average of 90 days to receive a decision. 15% of these appeals are granted. Of those denied, 30% will give up and 70% will appeal. If you live in Alabama, Alaska, California (northern and western Los Angeles), Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York (Albany and Brooklyn), or Pennsylvania, you are located in a “prototype” state. This means that your claim will skip the Reconsideration step and your appeal proceeds directly to a hearing with an administrative law judge.
• Hearing. At your hearing is where the odds favor you, especially if you have the representation of an experienced and knowledgeable disability lawyer. Nationally, claimants will wait 15.5 months for a hearing and decision, but 55% will receive good news. Of those who don’t, 55% will quit and 45% will appeal.
• Appeals Council. If you appeal your hearing decision, on average, 220 more days are required to get a decision from the Appeals Council. Only 2% of claimants will be granted benefits at this stage. Of the 98% denied benefits here, 75% will give up.
• Federal court. For those who appeal to federal court, another 540 days of waiting are required for a federal court decision. Half of the claimants who appeal to this level will receive benefits or be sent back to a lower court level.

The important thing to take away from the above breakdown of waiting times and success rates is that you should take your Social Security disability claim through the first three levels – application, reconsideration (if applicable), and hearing. Often claimants give up after the first level of applying for disability benefits. But applying should only be considered the first of several necessary steps, for over half of claimants nationwide and here in the New York City metropolitan area , the Hudson Valley  and Connecticut who appeal their denials will ultimately be awarded Social Security disability benefits.

I can help you through all three levels. I am experienced in helping Social Security disability claimants in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the surrounding metropolitan New York City areas, the Hudson  Valley and Connecticut,  through this process. If you would like my assistance with your claim, please write or call me using the contact information below, or complete and submit the free claim evaluation form to your right.

Herbert Forsmith, Attorney at Law
New York and Connecticut Social Security disability lawyer
E-mail me

New York City metropolitan area, Hudson Valley and Connecticut
(212) 809-1772 or (845) 278-2896

Serving Social Security disability claimants in the Hudson Valley, all five boroughs of New York City throughout the New York metro area, and  Connecticut .