SSDI Claims Backlog: 10 Tips for Disability Applicants

Author: Allsup
Published: 8 Feb 2010 - Updated: 23 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information looks at the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims backlog during a period when applications hit a record 2.8 million in 2009, and the Social Security Administration projected 340,000 more claims for fiscal year 2010 than it had expected just a year earlier, with pending initial applications estimated to reach 964,000. It affects working-age adults who can no longer hold a job because of an injury, illness, or condition expected to last at least 12 months or to end in death, and who have paid FICA taxes and worked five of the last 10 years. Written by Allsup, a company that has represented thousands of disability claimants, the guide lays out 10 practical steps covering eligibility, filing early, getting a doctor's written support, documenting work history, and preparing for a long wait. While the figures reflect conditions at the time of publication, the advice remains useful for people with disabilities, seniors approaching full retirement age, and family caregivers trying to avoid the common mistakes that slow a claim down or cost someone part of their retroactive benefits.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Denied claimants have only 60 days to file an appeal.
• 2 - Medicare coverage begins only after a two-year waiting period on SSDI.
• 3 - The national average wait for an appeals hearing was 491 days at the time of publication.
• 4 - More than 60 percent of initial applications are denied, yet two-thirds of those who appeal eventually receive benefits.

Topic Definition

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration that pays monthly benefits to people who can no longer work because of a serious medical condition. Unlike Supplemental Security Income, which is based on financial need, SSDI is an earned benefit - workers qualify by paying Social Security (FICA) taxes over enough years to build up work credits. To be approved, a person must be under full retirement age and have a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death and that prevents them from doing substantial work. Benefit amounts are tied to past earnings, and after two years of eligibility recipients also qualify for Medicare.

Overview

Tips to help people with disabilities as applications for Social Security disability benefits soar to 2.8 million. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications reached an unprecedented 2.8 million claims in 2009, signaling the continuing challenge for applicants.

The Social Security Administration now expects 340,000 more disability claims in fiscal year 2010 than anticipated one year ago. By the end of this year, the estimated pending SSDI backlog will be 964,000 for initial applications.

SSDI is a federally mandated insurance program overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that operates separately from the retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. SSDI provides monthly benefits to individuals under full retirement age (65 or older) who can no longer work because of a disability (injury, illness or condition) that is expected to last for at least 12 months or is terminal. Individuals must have paid FICA taxes to be eligible.

Tips for Breaking Through the Disability Backlog

• 1. Determine eligibility. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, claimants must have been disabled before reaching full retirement age (65-67) and meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled, which generally means being unable to work due to a medically determinable mental or physical impairment expected to result in death or last for at least 12 months. Individuals also must have worked and paid into the program for five of the last 10 years.
• 2. File immediately. If an initial claim is denied, Allsup notes that the national average wait for an appeals hearing is 491 days. There is no time to lose.
• 3. Obtain doctor's agreement. Claimants need written medical confirmation of their qualifying conditions when they apply. Not having a doctor's support when filing could delay the process a month or more.
• 4. Get help. Filing for disability benefits is a complicated process akin to preparing a difficult income tax return. The earlier applicants seek help, the more support they can get to help put them back on the right track.
• 5. Prepare an accurate medical record. A comprehensive factual record is required to convince the government to provide benefits.
• 6. Establish your work history. Compile records of dates and tenure of previous employment. As noted above, individuals must have worked for five of the previous 10 years to qualify for benefits. A 15-year work history is needed.
• 7. Meet deadlines. If benefits are denied at any stage of the process, claimants have only 60 days to file an appeal. If the deadline is missed, the process starts over from the beginning. In addition, there is a risk of reducing the amount of retroactive benefits to which someone is entitled.
• 8. Reduce spending. The long wait for benefits means that people lose their savings, possessions and sometimes their homes. Eliminate unnecessary spending as quickly as possible and prepare for the long haul. And don't use credit cards. Applicants that high-interest debt will add to long-term problems. There may be other, more affordable options for handling expenses.
• 9. Maintain health insurance. There will be a temptation to cut spending on insurance, but even after individuals begin receiving disability benefits there is a two-year waiting period for Medicare eligibility.
• 10. Don't give up. The Social Security Administration denies more than 60 percent of all initial applications, but two-thirds of the people who appeal eventually will receive their disability benefits. By the time applicants reach the hearing level of appeals, about 90 percent are receiving representation assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

How long does it usually take to get a decision on an initial SSDI application?

Initial decisions commonly take several months, though wait times vary by state and depend on how quickly medical records are gathered by the disability determination office.

Is there a waiting period before SSDI payments begin?

Yes. SSDI has a five month waiting period, so benefits generally start with the sixth full month after the date Social Security determines the disability began.

Can some disability claims be approved faster?

Yes. The Compassionate Allowances program fast tracks claims for certain severe conditions, such as some cancers and rare diseases, and terminal illness cases can also be flagged for quicker handling.

Can I work while my SSDI claim is pending?

You can work a limited amount, but earning above the substantial gainful activity limit set each year by Social Security can lead to a denial because it suggests you are able to work.

What is SSDI back pay?

Back pay covers benefits owed from your established onset date or application date, after the waiting period, up to the month you are approved, and it is usually paid as a lump sum.

How much does a disability representative or attorney charge?

Most work on contingency and are paid only if you win, with fees generally limited by federal law to 25 percent of past due benefits up to a set dollar cap.

What are the stages of the SSDI appeals process?

After a denial, the steps are reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and finally a lawsuit in federal district court.

Where can I apply for SSDI benefits?

You can apply online at the Social Security website, by calling the Social Security Administration, or by visiting your local Social Security field office in person.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: What stands out most in these tips is how much of a disability claim comes down to paperwork and patience rather than the severity of the condition itself. A missing doctor's letter can add a month or more to the process, and a missed deadline can send someone back to the start, which is why roughly 90 percent of claimants have representation by the time they reach a hearing. The financial warnings are just as important - cutting spending early, avoiding high-interest credit card debt, and holding on to health insurance can keep a person from losing their savings or their home during the wait. Backlog numbers rise and fall over the years, but the lesson holds: people who prepare their records carefully, get help early, and keep appealing stand a much better chance of receiving the benefits they earned.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Allsup and published on 8 Feb 2010, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.