By the time you decide to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you likely have already incurred substantial medical expenses and may have also missed out on many days of work. The fact that you find yourself struggling financially can be the motive for filing for benefits when you don’t know if you will ever be able to return to work because of an injury or illness.
Once you submit a claim to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you may assume that your wait time won’t be very long. Unfortunately, every year, reasonable claims for Social Security Disability benefits wind up denied for any of a number of reasons.
Those with a denied claim will likely have to file an appeal, which could include a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. That can mean a substantial wait for the benefits that you need.
How long is the average weight for an SSA hearing in Philadelphia?
As a major metropolitan area, Philadelphia has major demand for the services provided by the SSA. As a result, there are actually two SSA offices that review applications and offer hearings to those applying for SSD benefits.
Those going through the main Philadelphia office will likely have a wait time of 10 months prior to a hearing with an administrative law judge, while those getting processed through the Philadelphia East office will have an average wait time of 11 months.
The good news is that if your appeal and hearing are successful, you can connect with benefits that accrued unpaid between when you applied and when you receive your approval. The sooner you initiate your application or appeal, the quicker you can get the benefits you need.
If your application for benefits has been denied, an attorney can help you file your appeal. They are experienced in these matters and can provide you with the information you need.