How Does Memphis Fare in SSDI Application Wait Times?

If you’ve sent in a Memphis SSDI application to cover your financial needs from a disability, you may wonder how long you’ll have to wait.

Across the country, some districts have reported outrageous wait times which leave applicants in an infuriating position.

So how does Memphis compare, and what can you expect?

Different Wait Times for Different Districts

In general, SSDI approval takes some time. However, some districts require more time than others.

Each district has its own office, staff, and bureaucracy to deal with. Some offices have more staff than others. Some are better managed than the district just next door. And across the board, the SSA lacks funding for much-needed staff increases.

These offices also have to deal with a variety of applications based on geography. For example, some rural districts have fewer applicants than in the big cities. And areas with high populations of blue collar and industrial workers typically gets more applicants than an extremely high income neighborhood, where physical issues may not impact income in the same way. 

The Long, Long Wait for SSDI Approval

While anyone applying for SSDI should expect a wait, there’s no denying parts of the system currently have more delays than normal.

For example, over the past few months, the SSA’s 1-800 number had wait times over 30 minutes, which is ten times longer than it was just a decade ago.

And for the applicants waiting months to get approved, these benefits are too important for major delays. Over 10,000 people die each year while waiting for much-needed help.

What Our SSDI Attorneys Have Seen in Memphis

In Memphis, we haven’t seen a significant change in the timeline compared to reports out of other regions. It’s never been a quick process, but in some cases, it may take less time for Memphis applicants.

That said, applying for SSDI is always a waiting game. That shouldn’t be how it works—and a lot of people get hurt in the process—but for now, that’s how it is.

Some people who need disability figure there’s no point in filing right now if approval will take a long time. But I would think of it as a reason to file as soon as possible. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can receive the benefits you need and deserve.

What to Do If You’re Denied

If after waiting on your initial approval, you instead get a denial, don’t let that stop you. The SSA actually denies the majority of applications. Once you find out, you have 60 days to appeal the decision, and that’s how a lot of people ultimately speed up the process and finally get approved.

Our firm works with you to improve and fix your initial application. We support and represent you through every step of the appeal, and we don’t make a dime unless we win for you. Even then, it’s limited to a small fraction of your past-due benefits—everything you make moving forward is yours.

Remember, you only have 60 days to get started. While the SSA expects you to wait on them, they don’t wait on you. So don’t delay in getting a qualified, dedicated attorney for your appeal.

Call us today at 901-327-2100 or fill out the form below.

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