Found out the average wait time for a disability hearing is 12 months

I was browsing the SSA's own website last night and stumbled on their latest data. Turns out the average person waits over a year just to get in front of an ALJ after their initial denial. In some states like Texas, it's more like 14 months. I knew it was slow, but that number really hit me. My own appeal has been pending since October, and I'm already exhausted from the paperwork and doctor visits. How are folks supposed to survive that long without income while waiting on a decision? Has anyone else here gotten stuck in that year-long waiting game?

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allen.iris1mo ago

Get a lawyer, they can speed things up sometimes.

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aaron7401mo ago

@allen.iris mentioned getting a lawyer and yeah that can help sometimes but even with an attorney the wait is brutal. I'm in a similar boat honestly, applied last August and still haven't gotten a hearing date. The part about surviving without income is the scariest thing, I had to move back in with my parents just to keep the lights on while waiting. Some folks end up losing their homes or going into massive debt, it's just not right. The system feels broken when you're already struggling with your health and they make you wait over a year for a basic decision.

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