How long does an appeal take for disability? It’s an important question, as the waiting period for Social Security Disability benefits can create financial strain for those unable to work. If you’re initially denied benefits, the appeals process only lengthens the period you must wait before receiving support.
Recent data shows delays are worsening, with nearly 300,000 Americans currently waiting for their disability appeal decisions. Let’s break down the current timeframes for each stage of the Social Security appeals process and talk about factors that might extend them.
Initial Application Decision Timeframes
Before we dive into appeals, it’s worth noting that the initial application review process typically takes 3-5 months. However, some applicants receive decisions in as little as 30 days, while others might wait 7 months or longer. This variation depends on the complexity of your medical condition, the completeness of your application, and current Social Security Administration (SSA) workloads.
How Long Does the Appeal Process Take in 2025?
According to recent data, the national average waiting time for a disability hearing has reached 291 days (over 9.5 months). Nearly 300,000 Americans are currently waiting in the backlog. These timeframes are expected to increase due to staffing reductions at the Social Security Administration.
How Long Does a Reconsideration Request Take for Disability?
If your initial application is denied (which happens to about 62% of applicants), the first step in the appeals process is reconsideration.
Many people ask, “How long does it take for a reconsideration for disability?” The short answer is that you can expect to wait anywhere from 3-9 months for a decision.
During reconsideration, a different disability examiner reviews your claim along with:
- Your original application materials
- Any new medical evidence you’ve submitted
- Any additional information requested during the reconsideration
Unfortunately, in 2024, the denial rate at this stage was even higher than the initial application stage. About 84% of reconsideration requests resulted in denial.
How Long Does an Appeal Take for SSDI or SSI at the Hearing Level?
If your reconsideration request isn’t successful, the next step is requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where things become more complicated.
The SSA usually receives between 20,000 and 40,000 hearing requests every month. For an ALJ hearing, it could take 7-12 months or longer to have your hearing and receive the judge’s decision. While this stage had a 51% approval rate in 2024, the extended waiting period can cause hardship for many applicants.
How Long Does an Appeal Take at the Appeals Council Review Level?
If the ALJ denies your claim, you can file an appeal with the Social Security Appeals Council. But how long does it take for an SSI appeal or SSDI appeal to go through a review?
An Appeals Council review typically takes 6-12 months or longer. This waiting period is particularly frustrating because the Appeals Council rarely reverses an ALJ’s decision outright. More commonly, they either deny the claim or remand the case back to the ALJ.
How Long Does It Take to Appeal SSI or SSDI at the Federal Court Level?
The final level of appeal is filing a civil action in Federal District Court. For those wondering how long an appeal takes at the Federal Court level, you should expect to wait 12-24 months for a resolution.
While only about 1% of cases receive direct approval at this level, in 2024 over half were remanded for reconsideration. This creates a potential path for eventual approval but adds significant time to the overall process.
Factors That Affect SSA Disability Appeal Timeframes
Several factors can impact how long your SSA disability appeal takes:
- Geographic Location: Processing times vary significantly by state and even by local office.
- Case Complexity: Claims involving multiple medical conditions or rare disorders often take longer.
- Evidence Gathering: Delays in obtaining medical records can extend timeframes.
Recent developments also suggest waiting times may soon increase for all claimants:
- SSA Staffing Reductions: The SSA is facing a workforce reduction, with a staffing target of 50,000 (down from about 57,000). This will likely extend processing times across all appeal levels.
- Office Closures: Plans to close 6 regional offices (out of 10) may further impact disability claim processing.
- Growing Backlogs: As of February 2025, the appeal backlog has grown to over 271,000 and continues to rise.
The Financial and Emotional Toll of Waiting
These extended waiting periods create many hardships for applicants who cannot work.
- Many have no income whatsoever
- Savings are often depleted
- Some applicants lose their homes, cars, and health insurance
- Access to medical care may be limited, potentially worsening health conditions
- Some may return to work out of financial desperation, despite medical risks
There are more than 11 million Americans under age 65 who rely on Social Security Disability benefits. For new applicants, approval delays can be devastating in many ways.
How An Attorney Can Help With Your Disability Appeal
Working with a lawyer can’t eliminate the waiting period for your disability appeal. However, our experienced disability appeals attorneys at O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group can help in several ways:
- Ensure your appeal is filed correctly and on time
- Help gather compelling medical evidence
- Prepare you thoroughly for hearings
- Request expedited processing in dire situations
- Keep your case moving by following up with the SSA
For all levels, you have 60 days from the date of denial to request an appeal. If for some reason you need an extension, we can help you file a written request for more time with the SSA.
The Final Answer On Appeal Timeframes
So, how long does an appeal take for SSI or SSDI disability? The brutal answer is that the process is lengthy and may be getting worse. As of today, from initial application to final appeal resolution, the review process can take up to 3 years.
At O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group, we understand the frustration these waiting periods cause. While we can’t eliminate the SSA’s processing delays, we can ensure your appeal contains the strongest possible evidence and arguments, increasing your chances of approval at the earliest possible stage.
If you’re facing a disability appeal, contact our experienced legal team for a free consultation. We’ll guide you through each step of this complex process and fight tirelessly for the benefits you deserve.
Call Us Today!