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How long it takes to get Social Security Disability in South Carolina depends on various factors. Some of the most important are:
- How much of a backlog the Social Security Administration (SSA) faces
- The amount and quality of evidence you send in to support your disability claim
- Whether the SSA approves or denies your initial disability application the first time
- Whether you hire a Rock Hill Social Security Disability lawyer to help you through the application and/or appeals process
Processing Social Security Disability Claims Takes Time
The SSA is very busy with processing thousands of cases yearly. It takes time to get through these cases because:
- It must analyze and follow up on information from disparate pieces of evidence from each claim.
- It must decide if the submitted evidence proves the claimant’s medical condition.
- It must respond to and adjudicate cases where the claimant disagrees with its decision.
Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), in the fiscal year 2020, the federal agency received 19,454 new court cases from people who disagreed with its decisions. During that same fiscal year, they only processed 11,874 new court cases.
This backlog can fluctuate from year to year.
Is My South Carolina Social Security Disability Case Taking Too Long?
It can be helpful to know in advance that the processing time for your case will take a while. Knowing what to expect can keep you from worrying as your case proceeds.
That said, you might want to know how long is too long. You may have to take action if a delay is caused by:
- Lost or misplaced paperwork
- An administrative error on the SSA’s part
- A mistake or misprint on your paperwork
If you are concerned about how long your Social Security Disability case will take, you can talk to your attorney in South Carolina immediately. They can tell you if you are still within a “normal” period and even talk to the SSA to check your case status.
Finding Evidence to Support Your South Carolina Disability Claim
You should aim to provide as much evidence as possible to prove your eligibility to receive Social Security Disability benefits. The evidence the SSA wants to review depends on the benefits you apply for. If you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it requests you send evidence showing the following:
- Your disabling illness or injury
- Your employment history (SSDI recipients must have worked in a qualifying job for a certain number of years)
- Your financial history, including tax filings and any financial benefits you receive
- Your U.S. citizenship or permanent residence status
- Your bank account information
- Your military history (if applicable)
- Your relationship to the qualifying party (if you are filing for benefits as the spouse of a disabled person)
If you apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must prove:
- You are not working, and/or you earn less than the current maximum the program allows.
- You have no alternative source of income (e.g., stocks) or resources you can use to make ends meet.
- You meet the age and/or disability requirements (you do not necessarily have to be disabled to receive SSI).
To keep the claims process running efficiently, you must send in relevant evidence that allows the SSA to evaluate your initial application thoroughly and fairly. If the SSA must request more information, your case could take longer, delaying or leading to a denial of your benefits.
How Long It Takes to Appeal Denial of Benefits in South Carolina
If the SSA denies your initial claim for any reason, you can appeal that denial. Doing so will increase the time it takes to complete your claim, but appealing a rejection is the only way forward in many cases.
There are four stages of appeal that you and an attorney can work through:
- Ask the SSA to reconsider your case by giving it to another Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- Request an administrative hearing
- Request an Appeals Council review
- File a legal action with the U.S. District Court
As you may expect, the more steps you must go through, the longer your case will take. This is frustrating and time-consuming, but you can rely on a Social Security Disability attorney for advice and support whenever you need it.
How South Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help You Navigate the Claims Process
When you are sick or injured and need benefits now, it is natural to wonder how long it will take to get Social Security Disability in South Carolina. Only some factors contributing to your case’s length are within your control. One of these factors is whether you hire a Social Security Disability attorney.
Social Security Disability lawyers help clients like you manage the complexities of benefits claim cases. Hiring a disability law firm in South Carolina comes with many benefits, including:
- Having someone to determine and gather the evidence you need to prove your claim
- Ensuring you apply for the federal benefits program you qualify for
- Being able to ask them questions about the application process, your claim’s progress, and how to deal with unexpected challenges
- Enabling you to avoid mistakes (e.g., using the wrong application) that could delay your claim
- Learning ways to expedite your case
- Having a legal advocate who can lead the appeals process, should you want to challenge SSA’s denial of your claim
Even with a disability lawyer on your side, the application process may take a while. However, with a law firm’s help, you could leave your case in its hands and be confident that you are moving through the system as smoothly as possible.
Getting Social Security Disability in South Carolina – Call Our Team Today
Schiller & Hamilton is committed to providing personal, attentive legal service and keeping our clients informed throughout the legal process.
Get in touch with our firm today for more information on how long it takes to get Social Security Disability in South Carolina—and how we can fight to get you the benefits you deserve as soon as possible.