Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits can be a long process. It typically requires you to wait for months before you get a response from anyone at the SSA.

Your wait is particularly difficult when you are struggling to pay your bills because you cannot work. You are anxious to receive your disability check and may be wondering "How do I check the status of my Social Security Disability claim?"

One of the most common questions I get from clients as a Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer is about the status of their claim. Below are instructions for how to check the Social Security application status of your disability claim at the different stages of the SSDI application process. 

How can I check my Social Security status:

How Can I Check My Social Security Status during the Initial Application?

SSA allows you to check the status of your application through your personal my Social Security account online. You will need your application number in order to process your request.

To check the status of your Social Security claim, you'll need to create a personal my Social Security account. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Visit the Website: Go to the official Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

  2. Sign Up for an Account:

    • Locate the section for creating a new account.
    • Click the link or button to start the registration process.

  3. Provide Personal Information: You will need to enter some personal details, like your name, Social Security number, and date of birth, to verify your identity.

  4. Create a Username and Password: Choose a secure username and password that you'll use for future logins.

  5. Follow Security Steps: Complete any additional security measures, such as setting up security questions or receiving a verification code.

  6. Access Your Account: Once registered, log in to your account.

With your new account, you can easily check the status of your claim and access other important information about your Social Security benefits.

Once logged in, you can access a wealth of information about your claim, including:

  • Date of filing: Know exactly when your application was submitted.
  • Current claim location: Track where your claim is in the processing pipeline.
  • Scheduled hearing date and time: Stay informed about upcoming hearings.
  • Incomplete applications: Identify any parts of your application that need attention.
  • Servicing office location: Find out which office is handling your claim.

You can also get a status update by contacting a representative at your local Social Security office.

Much of the delay during the initial application process is in waiting for a case worker to be assigned at the office of Disability Determination Services (DDS). While waiting for the DDS case manager to be assigned, little can be done to check on your case. The answer will always be "awaiting assignment at DDS". It can take a year or more to just be assigned a case worker.

Once a DDS case worker is assigned, you may also contact the disability examiner at the state agency reviewing your claim. This professional works at a disability office on the state level instead of with the SSA. It is typically easier to reach the disability examiner to ask questions about a specific application than it is to reach a representative at the SSA who can find information related to your application.

The disability examiner is able to tell you whether a decision is pending or complete, but the examiner cannot tell you whether the application was approved or denied. A disability examiner may also be able to assist you with expediting the review process. However, it is important to understand that applications can only be expedited in special circumstances.

By directly contacting the claims examiner for your case at the Disability Determination Service, you can bring your application to their attention, which may even speed up the review process. Engaging with the examiner not only provides you with updates but also highlights your case in their workload. While the examiner cannot disclose the outcome of your application, establishing this line of communication could potentially streamline the process, particularly if your situation qualifies for expedited handling.

Remember, maintaining open communication and providing any necessary documentation promptly can be advantageous. It's crucial to understand the limits of what can be expedited, ensuring you're prepared for all possible outcomes.

How Can I Check My Social Security Status After the Initial Application, but Before the ALJ Hearing?

Application status updates following the initial application (or a reconsideration) but before your scheduled hearing date and time can be obtained by contacting the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) disability examiner.

However, the disability examiner can only tell you whether the case is scheduled, ready to schedule, or currently being processed.  They do not make a decision on the case and cannot tell you whether the case is approved or not.

How Can I Check My Social Security Status Following the ALJ Hearing?

Once your hearing is held, again the ODAR disability examiner can help best. Again, however, they usually do not tell you if you were approved or denied, but only if the case was decided, is still being decided, or if further information is needed.

How Long Can It Take to Get a Decision on Your Disability Claim?

When you file a Social Security Disability claim in the United States, the timeline for a decision can vary. On average, it might take 12-18 months for each stage of the sequential evaluation process.

Here's a breakdown of the typical process:

  • Initial Review: This stage can take anywhere from twelve to eighteen months. Your application will be evaluated to ensure all necessary information is included.

  • Reconsideration: If your claim is denied initially, you can request a reconsideration. This review can add another twelve to eighteen months to your waiting time.

  • Hearing Level: Should you need to appeal further, a hearing before an administrative law judge could be necessary. The waiting period for this step can be extensive, often lasting close to a year

  • Appeals Council and Beyond: If further appeals are needed, such as escalation to the Appeals Council or federal court, this could extend the process significantly. Each level might take another year or more.

Each case is unique, so actual processing times can differ based on factors like the complexity of your medical condition and regional workloads. While waiting, it can be beneficial to provide any requested documentation promptly and follow up regularly to ensure a smooth process.

How Lost Paperwork Can Impact Your Social Security Disability Case

Lost paperwork can significantly disrupt the progression of your Social Security Disability case. When crucial documents go missing, it can lead to delays, as the progress of your application is put on hold until all necessary information is accounted for.

Without the complete set of paperwork, the Social Security Administration (SSA) might not have all the information needed to proceed with your case. In worst-case scenarios, if the SSA deems that appeal deadlines were missed because of missing paperwork, you might be required to start the application process all over again. This could occur even if the oversight was due to their error.

Such setbacks not only extend the timeline for receiving potential benefits but can also add stress and uncertainty to an already challenging process. To prevent these issues, it’s advisable to regularly follow up with the SSA to confirm receipt and status of your documents.

At every step in the process, gathering updated information related to the status of an application can help you discover whether there were errors or omissions in the application that require you to provide updated information to the SSA. Staying informed about your Social Security Disability application status is crucial for several reasons:

  • Expedite Review Process: By reaching out to the claims examiner handling your case, you can bring your application to their attention, potentially speeding up the review process.

  • Awareness of Denial: Sometimes, the Social Security Administration might not notify you about a denial. Since you only have 65 days from the date of denial to file an appeal, staying updated ensures you don’t miss this critical deadline.

  • Lost Paperwork: There is always a risk that paperwork could get lost, which can stall your case. In some instances, missing the appeal date, even due to SSA's oversight, could force a reapplication.

By routinely checking your application status, you not only safeguard against administrative errors but also maintain control over your benefits process, ensuring that your application is consistently moving forward.

Getting Help From a Professional

An experienced Metairie Social Security disability lawyer can help you complete paperwork in a timely manner and file appeals quickly. Application forms can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming, but completing these forms in the proper manner in a timely fashion can help make the decision quicker.

Beyond paperwork, your attorney can also be a crucial ally in tracking the status of your Social Security Disability application. They can contact the Disability Determination Services (DDS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA) on your behalf, ensuring you get the pertinent information you need. This proactive communication can relieve some of the stress, allowing you to trust that your case is being monitored closely.

Moreover, experienced disability attorneys maintain open communication lines with disability examiners. This ensures that you stay up to date on the progress of your case, providing peace of mind during what can often be a lengthy process. Having a lawyer by your side means you're not just another case number; you have someone actively advocating for your interests.

At our office, we contact DDS or SSA at least once every 60 days while working on your claim.

While some people think it is important for you to be proactive about seeking status updates, I believe it is more important to ensure that you have provided all of the information necessary to make a decision quickly. Whether or not you are being represented by a disability attorney, this is the most important thing to getting a timely decision.