Expediting the Disability Claim Process

It can take many months for your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application to be approved or denied; first-time applicants are often denied benefits. Wait times for the Social Security Administration’s initial decisions regarding disability claims are increasing significantly at a time when applicants most need benefits. Delays can devastate those who lack other household income or have health problems serious enough to shorten life expectancy.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) can expedite claims processing for disability applications under certain dire personal circumstances, medical conditions, or if an applicant has served in the US military. Even without these qualifications, other steps can be taken to speed up your claim. The first is getting help from a disability attorney.

Two fast-track processes use technology to identify applicants with the most severe disabilities, expediting decision-making on those cases. These claimants have medical conditions that immediately meet disability standards.

A computer-based predictive model processes and screens initial applicant claims, identifying cases where medical evidence is readily available and favorable disability determinations are very likely. QDD’s early identification of these cases helps prioritize workload and expedite processing. The SSA provides online information about the QDD process on its  Quick Disability Determination  page.

The CAL process can quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that meet the SSA standards for disability benefits definitions. This reduces wait time for individuals with severe disabilities. The SSA provides online information about the CAL process on its  Compassionate Allowances  page.

Both programs use text-scanning software to flag potentially eligible applications.

The SSA identifies those diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death and automatically considers the case for faster processing and determination. Some of the qualifying circumstances and conditions for the TERI program include the following: