How Long Until My Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Hearing?

People applying for and appealing a denied claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are rightfully concerned with 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). 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: 525 days (up from 444 in May of 2015)
• 44% cases approved

Knoxville, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 521 days (down from 555 in October of 2016)
• 52% cases approved

Chattanooga, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 535 days (down from 567 in October of 2016, but up from 521 days in May of 2015)
• 60% approved (trending upward)

Kingsport, Tennessee:

• Average processing time: 512 days (up from 454 days in October of 2016 and 339 days in April of 2015)
• 64% cases approved

Nashville, Tennessee

• Average processing time: 491 days (up from 484 days in October of 2016 and 465 days in December of 2015)
• 50% cases approved

Franklin, Tennessee

• Average processing time: 521 days (up from 516 days in October of 2016 and 475 days in December of 2015)
• 62% cases approved (trending upward)

Memphis, Tennessee

· Average processing time: 578 days!

· 52% case approved

Middlesboro, Kentucky

• Average processing time: 436 days (down from 497 days in October of 2016!!! Still up from 410 in April of 2015)
• 47% cases approved (trending upward)

Columbia, South Carolina

· Average processing time: 664 days!

· 53% of cases approved

Charleston, South Carolina

· Average processing time: 617 days!

· 49% of cases approved

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.