How To Check On Your SSDI Status (5 Ways)

What if you haven’t heard anything about your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim in months? It may take up to two years before you start receiving payments after you apply for SSDI and SSI benefits. Many people often wonder how to check their status after applying for SSDI or SSI.

While there are many ways to check your SSDI status, the most common is to log in or create a “My Social Security account.” Once you hover over to the “My Home” section, scroll down to the “Your Benefit Applications” section, and select “View Details” under the “More Info” heading. You can view your application status here in the “Current Status” section.

This article will explore several ways to check your SSDI status.

Getting An Update On Your SSDI Status

People frequently get impatient while waiting for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to decide their case. If you just submitted your application, the SSA can take up to 3 to 6 months to issue an initial decision in your case.

If they reject your claim, you will have 60 days from the date of their rejection to submit a request for reconsideration. Then, another decision, which might be a denial of benefits, could be made after another three to six months. Then you have to request a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge, and the wait time for a court hearing day can be up to a year. 

Learning how to monitor the status of your case will alleviate your concerns if you are waiting at one of these Social Security procedure steps.

1. Check The Status Of Your Case Online

On the SSA website, you can look up the progress of your application. Use the search tool on the SSA website and search for “application or appeal status”.

Once you sign in, type in your social security number and click “Check Your Status.” The status of your claim will then be indicated in the following notice. When you look up the status of your claim, it typically states “pending.” This indicates that the SSA is still considering its response to your application.

Make sure to note on your application if your situation falls within the compassionate allowance requirement. The SSA will process your case more quickly as a result.

You can also change your address on the SSA website if your information changes during appeals. Once you get your benefits, you can check your monthly benefit payments and update your direct deposit details.

Medical Conditions That Are Considered As Compassionate Allowances

Compassionate allowances are for medical conditions that are so severe that you should receive SSDI and SSI compensation as soon as possible. The SSA feels that if you have one of these serious medical problems, you should immediately be eligible for benefits. 

The program for compassionate allowances recognizes claims that satisfy the Social Security Administration’s legal definition of disability. You should submit medical documentation supporting your diagnosis with your application to be eligible for this program.

2. Check Your SSDI Claim Status By Calling The SSA

Calling the SSA is another approach to finding out the status of your case. We do not advise calling the Social Security Administration, as the wait time is very long. You might be on hold for several hours.

Although, you can call them if you don’t have access to computers or the Internet. There is automated phone support available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You can get assistance through this phone system in English and Spanish.

Dial +1 800-77-1213 to use the phone system. When asked, “How can I help you today?” respond with “Application status.” You can then see your status. If you’re hard of hearing or deaf, dial 800-325-0778 for TTY service.

3. Calling Your Local Social Security Office To Check The Status Of Your Claim

Calling your local Social Security Office is another way to determine how your SSDI or SSI case is progressing. You will speak with a claims representative when you call. The Social Security Office Locator tool can be used to find the Phone number for your local SSA office if you are unsure.

When you speak with the claims examiner, you must give your name and social security number so they can tell you about your case.  They ought to be able to inform you of the stage your claim is in, i.e., whether it is still in the beginning or if you are awaiting a hearing.

However, the SSA employee won’t be able to tell you when the SSA will decide anything. You might obtain a better response if your case is handled by Disability Determination Services (DDS), the state agency that examines your medical documentation.

4. Check Your Claim Status After You File Your Application For Benefits

You can talk to an examiner at DDS about cases that are still pending at the initial level, which is right after you submit your application. When your case is at the reconsideration or second level of appeal, you can also speak with an examiner.

Since the examiner is typically the one gathering and examining your medical information, you might want to speak with them. They can let you know what is pending or if certain records are missing, so you have a chance to submit them.

Phone calls to the DDS examination are simple to make. Their phone number is available from the Social Security Office in your area. View a list of all 50 DDS offices by selecting your state. When you call the DDS, you must provide your name and Social Security number.

The receptionist will forward your call to the DDS examiner handling your case once you have provided them with this information. The DDS examiner will be able to let you know how your case is progressing.

If you need to present anything to support your case, you can also inquire with the examiner. For instance, if you’ve undergone multiple back operations, the DDS employee could demand to see a copy of every procedure. In addition, you can send DDS medical certificates.

5. File a Request for Hearing To Check The Status Of Your Claim 

Request a hearing within 60 days of the date of the refusal if your case is rejected at the reconsideration stage before an administrative law judge. Your case will be transferred to the Office of Hearing Operations once you have submitted your request. 

Before a hearing date is scheduled for your case, it could take up to a year or more. After submitting a request for a hearing, you can also go months without hearing back from the SSA. Most Social Security hearing offices have a backlog of cases causing the long wait.

After requesting a hearing, you can still determine how your case progresses by contacting the neighborhood hearing office to find out the status of your hearing request. Most of the time, the Office of Hearings Operations staff will only be able to inform you that your case is pending and that a date will be set for it.

How To Tell If The SSA Is Working on Your Case During The Appeal Stages

If the SSA sends you to the doctor throughout the appeals process, they will pursue your case. DDS has physicians who compile written reports regarding your physiological and psychological conditions for them. These medical practitioners conduct consultative examinations.

You are not required to pay for the exam. So, all you have to do is go, arrive on time, respond to the questions, and describe your symptoms to the doctor. The SSA will reject your claim if you do not show up for the test. 

Use the examination to discuss with the doctor the physical and mental health difficulties that prevent you from working a full-time schedule. Bring your medical documents to the exam, for instance, if you have breast cancer, liver cancer, or any other ailment, so the doctor can review them. However, you cannot rely on the SSA If you need to send your records.

You go to the psychologist for a mental evaluation. The psychologist will speak with you in order to determine whether you have PTSD, anxiety, depression, or another mental health disability that may qualify for SSDI. 

Everything You Need To Know About Consultative Examination

You may get a notice in the mail following your application for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability benefits. This notice arranges for a consultative exam for you. During the initial six months of the appeals process, the SSA often arranges a visit with one of their doctors.

For instance, they will arrange for your exam to occur during your appeal’s first or second stage. The SSA typically schedules a physical or mental examination for further medical documentation. Your eligibility for SSDI and SSI benefits will be determined using medical evidence. 

Physical and mental illnesses must be determined to be debilitating by a recognized medical source to qualify for social security benefits. A doctor with an M.D. or a Ph.D. is typically regarded as a reliable medical source.

The SSA does not deem certain healthcare providers to be reliable medical sources. However, the SSA will take the medical advice of physical therapists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and physician assistants into account.

Therefore, provide the records if you see a social worker for mental health issues. You should also submit those records if you visit a physical therapist for back problems.

Reasons Behind Scheduling a Consultative Exam

The SSA has scheduled you for a physical examination or a psychological evaluation to record your medical status. As a result, you have to take this exam. In order to do so, the physician will perform the required physical examinations. 

For instance, the doctor will watch how you enter the office if you have a back ailment. They will also watch you in the waiting area to see if you exhibit any signs of pain. The doctor will discuss how you stand, sit, bend, and walk. They will note if you can sit on the test bed. The doctor will also record your concerns and any symptoms noted during the examination.

SSDI Benefits For People With Disabilities Listed Under Depression

If your mental health symptoms are severe, you may be eligible for SSA benefits for depression under SSA Listing 12.04. Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental 

Social Security Income payments if your mental health symptoms keep you from being able to work.

The SSA may provide benefits if your mental health issues prevent you from working. Your former income determines the amount of your SSDI benefits each month. 

WAIS-IV Test Conducted by the SSA To Test For Intellectual Disability

The SSA utilizes the WAIS-IV test to gauge your IQ. The SSA will often schedule a psychological evaluation, or consultation test, for you to attend. You will be tested by a psychologist at the appointment.

Furthermore, you will respond to inquiries and discuss your educational background. For instance, do you have a GED or a high school diploma? If you do not have a diploma, did you drop out of high school? Why did you not finish school? 

The WAIS-IV test is not administered to everyone by the SSA. There might be evidence that you have an intellectual disability if they make you take the test. This test is for people who are filing for SSDI benefits for an intellectual disability.

Conclusion

While you wait, your anxiety and worry might be reduced by checking the status of your Social Security Disability Insurance claim. You can check your status online by creating a “My Social Security” account, by phone by contacting the Social Security Administration, or in person by visiting your local SSA office.

If your case is still pending at the original or reconsideration level, you can also consult with an examiner at Disability Determination Services. However, there can be a lot of waiting and no exact decision date from the examiner.