How Long Does It Take To Get A Decision On My Disability Claim?

The honest answer: it depends on where you are in the process. The Social Security disability system has multiple stages, and the timeline at each is different. Here is what to expect at each level.

Initial Application

After you file an application, SSA sends it to your state's Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency for an initial medical review. In Georgia, this typically takes three to six months. SSA reports a national average of around 200 days for initial decisions, though this fluctuates. Approximately two-thirds of initial applications are denied.

Reconsideration

If denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration — a second review by a different DDS examiner. Reconsideration decisions generally take two to four months. Reconsideration approval rates are low — most claimants who ultimately succeed do so at the hearing level.

ALJ Hearing

The hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is where the majority of successful cases are decided — and where wait times are longest. After requesting a hearing, claimants in Georgia typically wait twelve to eighteen months for a hearing date, depending on the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) office handling the case. After the hearing, a written decision typically follows within one to three months.

After the Hearing — Further Appeals

If the ALJ denies the claim, you can appeal to the Appeals Council (typically 6–12 additional months) and then to federal district court. These stages extend the timeline but are sometimes necessary and can result in remands that produce favorable outcomes.

Expedited Processing

Certain conditions qualify for faster handling. Compassionate Allowances (CAL) — available for many serious cancers, ALS, and other conditions — can reduce initial processing to days or weeks. Terminal Illness (TERI) cases are also prioritized throughout the system. If you believe your condition qualifies, contact us immediately.

What You Can Do to Avoid Delays

• File promptly — back pay begins from your application date (or alleged onset date, subject to rules)
• Respond to all SSA requests quickly — missing deadlines stalls your case
• Keep your contact information current with SSA
• Attend all scheduled medical examinations
• Retain an attorney early — represented claimants have better hearing outcomes and fewer procedural delays