It can take the Social Security Administration weeks and even months to make a final determination regarding your claim for disability benefits, but there are things that you can do to help expedite the process.
One of the most effective ways to speed up the process has to do with medical records and treatment information. You will want to provide detailed medical documentation about your condition and care, including the names of past and current doctors who were/are involved in your treatment, as well as the facilities where you’ve have procedures. Detailed information will make it easier for the examiner to follow up on the sources that you have cited and verify the information upon which your disability is based.
In addition, try to keep all of your doctor appointments and avoid rescheduling them if at all possible. Remember, if you ask for a change in the scheduled appointment, you may have to wait weeks or months, which could add significant time to the claim process.
Always respond quickly to any communication or requests from the disability examiner. Frequently, examiners require additional information, and providing it to them quickly and in a well-organized manner can help you receive your benefits faster.
If you suffer from a terminal illness or medical condition that is so severe that it requires financial help immediately, you may apply under the Compassionate Allowances initiative, a program designed to significantly reduce the claims timeline.