Social Security Disability Decision Letter- How it Works

For individuals looking for a payout and assistance from the Social Security, the wait for the release of the Social Security disability decision letter is often the most stressful. The waiting time for many is considered a time to questions and uncertainties. Will I get a favorable decision from the Social Security? How much will I get from the disability decision? These are just some of the questions that are often asked by individuals who have filed for disability, and waiting for the disability decision.

How Long Should I Wait for the Social Security Disability Decision Letter

If you have applied for benefits, chances are you are asking about the possible waiting time. Keep in mind that the time you have to wait for the Social Security disability decision letter will depend on the severity of the case. In most cases, applicants who have been denied of their benefits will receive their letters faster. The fast processing of the letter is in place because they are given enough chances to beat the 65-day deadline for appeal submissions, in case the application has been denied. Under the Social Security rules and policies, the applicant may enjoy one of the two disability programs that are offered- the Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. In both programs, the applicant needs to show that he is no longer productive and mobile and thus, he can no longer earn for himself.

How Claims and Letters are Processed

Not all applications are approved the first time, and roughly 70 percent of all applications are denied the first time. The same is true for initial appeals submitted after receiving the Social Security disability decision letter– most are denied as well, at a high 80-percent rejection rate. But if you have been approved in one of the programs offered, you can expect to receive your Social Security Decision Letter within days. There are instances when the letters are delayed, and this happen when manual benefit computations are used to arrive at the decision. And if in case the contents of the letter are not favorable to the applicant, this does not mean that assistance is no longer possible. Individuals are given the right to appeal the decision, and an appeal may be heard by the administrative law judge. If the approval comes from the administrative law judge, then the release and the arrival of the letter will take some time. The reason for this is that the judge will have to pen its decision before payment claims can be processed.