Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Update on Hearing Office Average Processing Times and Approval Rates

One of the toughest things I have to do when explaining to people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose application has been denied is the length of the process. I try to regularly provide an update on processing times and approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims at some hearing offices (ODAR). However, it has been since February of 2018.

Please remember that these statistics are only for claims pending at the hearing level or Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. The claims at a hearing office have already been through the Application and Reconsideration steps (typically 6-12 months of waiting already).

Nationally:

• Average processing time: 577 days (down from 582 in February of 2018, but still up from 573 in July of 2017, 525 days in January of 2017 and up from 444 in May of 2015)
• 43% of cases approved (down from 45% of cases approved in February of 2018)

Asheville, North Carolina – Kingsport, TN hearing office

• Average processing time: 573 days (up from 540 days in February of 2018, 532 days in July of 2017, 512 days in January of 2017, 454 days in October of 2016 and 339 days in April of 2015)
• 62% of cases approved (up from 60% in February of 2018, but down from 64% of case approved in January of 2017)

Chattanooga, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 493 days (down from 556 days in February of 2018, 553 in July of 2017 and 535 days in January of 2017)
• 54% of cases approved (up from 50% in February of 2018 and slightly from July of 2017, but down from 60% in January of 2017)

Charleston, South Carolina

• Average processing time: 688 days (up from 675 days in February of 2018, 656 in July of 2017 and 617 days in January of 2017)
• 36% of cases approved (down from 39% in February of 2018, 40% in July of 2017 and 49% in January of 2017)

Columbia, South Carolina

• Average processing time: 604 days (down from 655 days in February of 2018, 654 days in July of 2017 and 664 days in January of 2017)
• 54% of cases approved (up from 49% in February of 2018)

Franklin, Tennessee

• Average processing time: 581 days (up from 567 days in February of 2018, 552 days in July of 2017, 521 days in January of 2017 and 475 days in December of 2015)
• 46% of cases approved (down from 53% of cases approved in February of 2018, 55% in July of 2017 and down from 62% of cases approved in January of 2017)

Kingsport, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 573 days (up from 540 days in February of 2018, 532 days in July of 2017, 512 days in January of 2017, 454 days in October of 2016 and 339 days in April of 2015)
• 62% of cases approved (up from 60% in February of 2018, but down from 64% of case approved in January of 2017)

Knoxville, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 540 days (down from 576 days in February of 2018 and 565 days in July of 2017, but still up from 521 days in January of 2017)
• 47% of cases approved (down from 51% in February of 2018)

Memphis, Tennessee

• Average processing time: 639 days (up from 600 days in February of 2018, 591 days in July of 2017, 578 days in January of 2017)
• 47% of cases approved (up from 45% in February of 2018, but down from 52% of cases approved in January of 2017)

Nashville, Tennessee

• Average processing time: 456 days (down from 509 days in February of 2018, 508 days in July of 2017, 491 days in January of 2017, 484 days in October of 2016 and 465 days in December of 2015)
• 51% of cases approved (up from 49% of cases approved in July of 2017)

Lexington, Kentucky

· Average processing time: 639 days

· 45% of cases approved

Middlesboro, Kentucky

• Average processing time: 436 days (down from 458 days in February of 2018)
• 41% of cases approved (down from 46% in February of 2018 and 45% in July of 2017)

The hearing office staff work hard and understand the frustrations of the claimants and representatives, but they are hamstrung by the workload and budgetary restraints.

If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website.