People who have developed a life-altering disability are already mentally and physically stressed. Their work, daily activities, and lifestyle have all been forced to change, along with their overall wellness. Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) should deliver some peace of mind, but with the current wait times for approval for SSDI claims, there is anything but relief.
What’s Causing Lengthy Wait Times?
As of August 2022, the average wait time for initial disability decisions was 198 days. A decade ago, that number was three times shorter. Even the Social Security Administration’s 800 number has wait times of about 30 minutes, which is 10 times longer than a decade ago. The scariest part? While the typical disability claimant can expect to wait over two years for a final decision, more than 10,000 people die annually waiting for an answer.
What’s causing these delays? High employee turnover rates play a role. Not surprisingly, COVID has played a part with hiring freezes at the start of the pandemic causing a decline in staffing. But it’s also an issue of funding, according to experts, and that’s the biggest hurdle.
Life Is Hard for Those Who Filed SSDI Claims
There are no appropriation bills in place for the 2023 fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2022. This means Congress would have to pass a continuing resolution to prevent the SSA services from experiencing a partial shutdown. A consequence like this could be catastrophic for applicants, especially with the current massive delays in approving or denying applications. If a resolution passes, there could be a temporary budget increase of $800 million.
What You Can Do to Minimize the Wait
Above all, when you know you’re ready to file for SSDI, hire an SSDI attorney. Getting help from the very start will ensure that all your paperwork is properly collected and filed. If you attempt to file on your own and miss an important detail or fill out a form incorrectly, your wait will only be extended. When you already don’t feel good and your life has been turned upside down by injury or illness, the last thing you want is to have your big hope of receiving financial support doused because of one wrong checkmark or one absent document.
Working with an attorney on your SSDI claims will also give you confidence and patience. You’ll know that everything the Social Security Administration wants is done correctly and submitted on time. Your attorney also has the knowledge and experience to keep you informed about timelines and manage your expectations about when to expect an answer to your claim. These benefits of getting legal help are huge for your self-esteem and mental health as you wait.
Contact Thurswell Law to get help right away in securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and the getting the compensation your family deserves. Call us at (248) 354-2222 today. We do not charge any fees until we win.