How long will the social security disability appeals process take?

The length of your appeal process will depend on the stage of your appeal.  The stages of appeal past the initial application are the request for reconsideration, hearing by administrative law judge, appeals council review, and federal court review.  The request for reconsideration may take at least three months especially if the reason for your denial was lack of medical information.  You may need to see additional doctors or have a consultative examination.  If you have requested a hearing before an administrative law judge, you could be waiting anywhere from six months to two years because of the backlog of cases.  It is important that you continue to update your file with medical changes while waiting for your hearing.  If your appeal is from the decision of the administrative law judge to the appeals council, it could take an additional six months, if the appeals council decides to review your claim.  Appeals to the federal court are dependent upon the federal court schedule be prepared to wait a year if not longer.

You should consider contacting an attorney who specializes in disability law and has experience in handling Social Security cases.  He or she could give you more information about the appeals process when filing for Social Security Disability.