Add one more frustration to the experience of applying for social security disability – both SSDI and SSI – the length of time it takes to get a decision from the Appeals Council.
The process includes:
1) Application: typically in Portland, Oregon, a claimant will wait 4-6 months for a decision
2) If denied, Request Reconsideration: typically in Portland, Oregon, a claimant will wait 4-6 months for a decision
3) If denied, Request a Hearing: typically in Portland, Oregon, a claimant will wait 15 months for a hearing to be scheduled
4) If Unfavorable decision, request Appeals Council Review: typically, a claimant will wait 18-19 more months for a decision
5) If review is denied; seek federal court review: typically in Portland, Oregon, a claimant will wait 14-16 months for a decision.
What makes this horrendous wait even worse is that it doesn’t just happen to a few folks. It happens to a lot of people who will ultimately win their cases, provided they can live that long.