Expediting Social Security Disability Insurance Claims

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSDI/SSI) benefits is a lengthy process. It can take anywhere from 6 to 36 months to get a claim resolved, depending on how many stages of the process your claim must go through. People often ask us if there is a way to shorten the timeframes. While the Social Security Administration must follow due process and not expedite one individual’s claim over another individual’s claim for arbitrary reasons, SSA does expedite certain cases if a claimant meets certain criteria. Below is a list of cases that receive critical designations.

 

1.       TERI Claim – A TERI case is a case that is expedited because an individual has a terminal illness that is irreversible, untreatable and expected to end in death. A claimant must present objective and clinical evidence proving his/her illness is terminal to receive this designation. Stage 4 cancer cases often receive TERI designations.

2.       Compassionate Allowance Claims – SSA has published a list of diseases and impairments that are so inherently severe that SSA deems them as disabling. Disabilities that comprise the Compassionate Allowance list represent the most serious disabilities that affect individuals. If an individual has one of the listed illnesses on this link https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0423022080, and fits the stated criteria, he/she will be awarded benefits, as long as he/she meets the technical requirements for the SSDI/SSI program.

3.       Wounded Warrior/100% Service Connected Veterans – Veterans who were either wounded in the course of active duty OR who are rated 100% Permanent and Totally (“P&T”) disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) will have their claims expedited. SSA will still require that the veteran meet SSA’s own definition of disability. However, the veteran will not have to wait the normal average timeframe of 120 to 270 days it takes SSA to process a claim.

4.       Potentially Violent Claims – Claimants who are homicidal, suicidal or potentially violent may have their claims expedited. There must be some legitimate indication that a claimant is violent. For example, records from hospitalizations of repeated suicide attempts can demonstrate the claimant has a real threat of violent behavior.

5.       Dire Need Claim – A case can be flagged as critical if a claimant can show that he/she lacks food and is unable to obtain it, lacks critical medication or medical treatment, or lacks shelter. A claimant can submit eviction notices, foreclosure notices, shut-off notices, and other items to substantiate the claim that his/her case meets the “dire need” standard. Due to the poor economy, many individuals meet this standard currently and request a “dire need” designation.  While the increase of “dire need” requests has meant that SSA is not always able to reduce the timeframes as much as we desire, SSA may be able to reduce the waiting timeframes by several months.

Got a question that you need answered? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to provide you with valuable information on our website that may help you navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to shoot us an email at info@westcoastdisability.com or call us at (800) 459-3017.