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How long will my claim take?

Processing a claim is a slow-moving, three-step process.

The initial decision takes 6-8 months and is more often than not a denial.
The second step, called reconsideration, is an appeal that takes 3-5 months and, again, is typically unsuccessful. Also see questions 18 and 19 for additional information.
The third stage, where the claim is finally presented to a Social Security Administrative Law Judge located within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court Southern District Ohio, is currently taking 15 to 18 months, depending on the particular judge assigned.

Occasionally, on particularly strong claims, the Ohio Social Security Disability attorney can convince the judge to grant an “on the record” decision. This is done by letter and does not involve a hearing. If successful, this takes about six months.

Residents in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana, click here for a Free Evaluation.

Back to FAQs

Question: How is Social Security disability different from private disability benefits?

Answer: Social Security provides disability insurance to insured workers who are totally disabled. Benefits are not payable for short-term or partial disability. You must be unable to do any work to be considered disabled & your disability must be expected to result in death or last for at least one year.

Alternative public and private disability insurance programs may offer disability benefits for injuries or illnesses over a truncated time period, or for partial disability.

Should someone meet the criteria for both Social Security and other disability benefit programs, that person should be aware of a few facts: First, the law states that disability payments from private insurance plans don't affect your Social Security disability benefits. Second, if you receive both Social Security disability benefits & Veterans Administration benefits, your Social Security benefit won't be reduced.

Workers' compensation & other public disability benefits however, may reduce your Social Security benefits.

Other public disability payments that may affect your Social Security benefits are those paid by a federal, state or local government for disabling medical conditions that are not job-related.

If you receive workers' compensation or other public disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits, generally the total amount cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before you became disabled. You may want to contact your private or state disability insurance program for more information about how Social Security could affect those benefits.