Recent nationwide statistics from the Social Security Administration show that:

a) Initial Applications are denied approximately 71% of the time and these take 4-6 months on average to process, but can take eight months or longer.

b) Requests for Reconsideration (the first appeal) are denied about 90% of the time and these take 3-4 months on average to process, but can take six months or more.

c) Hearings before a Social Security ALJ (the second appeal) are approved about 42% of the time - the wait to get to a hearing varies greatly depending on which hearing office you are dealing with (the time varies from 7 to 24 months at the various hearings offices around the country.) In our area the current wait is approximately 14 - 16 months (it has been as high as 25 months in the past ten years).

d) Appeals of unfavorable ALJ decisions to the Appeals Council are denied 74% of the time, dismissed 2% of the time, benefits are awarded 2% of the time, and 22% of such appeals are remanded (sent back for another ALJ hearing.)

e) Appeals of unfavorable Appeals Council decisions to United States District Court were denied 40% of the time, dismissed 9% of the time and remanded 47% of the time.

According to the General Accounting office of the US Government, the percentage of ultimately favorable decisions for claimants with attorney representation was about 61% compared to 39% without representation.  With representation you are more likely to win your Social Security Disability benefits.

In my opinion you should get an attorney as early in the process as possible as there is no fee unless you are awarded benefits (contingency) and the fees are set by Social Security law and would be the same regardless if you hire the attorney the week before your hearing or the day you applied originally.

---

Clients, PLEASE Stay in Touch with Cascadia Disability Law!
 

Thank you so much for staying in touch with us, it is important to your claim and, by doing so, you make our advocacy on your behalf much more effective.

To make it easier, we have a feature on both of our websites that allows our clients to update us electronically with any new information, correspondence  or address they have regarding their claim.
 

LEARN MORE

Social Security Benefits Client Update Form

Veterans Benefits Client Update Form

Of Course, one always can contact us via telephone, fax, email or regular mail, too!

Office: 503-891-8376
Toll Free: 800-891-0867
Fax: 888-988-0014
Email Us: Help@CascadiaDisabilityLaw.com
Mailing Address:
Cascadia Disability Law
P.O. Box 12028
Portland, OR 97212