You submitted your request for an SSDI appeal hearing, but you’re still waiting for the Social Security’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to get back to you with a hearing date. You’ve heard that people can wait months or even a year to get their cases in front of a judge, and you want to get your claim approved as soon as possible. Is there anything you can do to speed up the processing of your request? The general answer is no. Hearings are scheduled in the order they are received.
Here are just a few things that could affect your wait time for an SSDI appeal:
Notifying ODAR of any changes before the hearing
You should stay in constant contact with ODAR as you await a hearing date. Always submit additional medical evidence as it becomes available; don’t gather it up and wait for your trial date. For instance, if you were recently seen at Immanuel Emergency Department, send your records to the Social Security office immediately. The ODAR will evaluate new evidence as it comes in, possibly eliminating the need for a hearing and resulting in an early benefits decision.
Choosing a representative
As hearings are scheduled two to three months in advance, you should seek the advice of an attorney as soon as possible to give the attorney time to prepare your case. You do not have to have a representative at your hearing, but choosing one early can give you a significant advantage in preparing your claim. Don't wait until the hearing is scheduled to contact an attorney.
Cancellation and rescheduling
You will be notified of the date, time, and place of the hearing at least 20 days beforehand. You should not cancel or reschedule a hearing, as this will delay the decision in your case even further.
What can you do to show the judge that you deserve disability benefits? Read through a free copy of our guide, 5 Deadly Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Social Security Disability Case, or email us at [email protected] to find out what you can do to strengthen your claim. You can also call us at (402) 933 5405.
