News

Should I wait to apply for SSDI Benefits because of COVID-19?

June 25, 2020

By Shelley W. Elovitz, Esquire

SSDI Benefits will take a long time to be approved. Never wait – start as soon as possible

With many Social Security offices closed, social distancing still in effect, and long wait times to reach anyone by phone, you may think it better to wait to start your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits. Actually, the opposite is true. If you need assistance and believe you may be eligible for SSDI benefits, you should start your application process as soon as possible. Don’t wait to apply for SSDI Benefits! Here is why.

• Many people wait, sometimes for months, after their initial diagnosis to apply. That time is precious – if you have a serious illness diagnosis and believe you might be eligible, start the process as soon as you can.
• Over 2 million people apply for SSDI Benefits each year. As we learn more about the long term damage COVID-19 can do to people’s health, that number could conceivably climb even higher.
• It takes, on average, four to six months to receive a yes or no decision. Almost two thirds of applicants are denied on their first request, often due to technicalities. So add another few months for the appeals process. A second denial will require an in person hearing and an appearance before a Judge can take well over a year to be scheduled!

The application and appeals process for SSDI benefits is lengthy, confusing, and sometimes tricky. As mentioned above, many claims are initially denied because of technicalities. We strongly advise engaging an attorney to help you. At Rothman Gordon, we have helped hundreds of people get the benefits due to them. We know the process and can be with you the whole way: to answer questions, work with your physician, and help with paperwork, calls and getting the right medical documents. Contact us online or call (412) 338-1183 to have a free case review today.