I advise my clients to do everything they can to shorten this timeline as much as possible. What steps can a disability applicant take to minimize the amount of time it takes to go from application to final approval? In the simplest form, I call this strategy “hurrying up to wait.”
This requires certain steps to be taken at each stage of the process. First, and before your application is filed, I advise all of my clients to create a MySSA Account so they are able to electronically sign their application upon filing. You may create an account through the SSA website at the following URL: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/create.html. Otherwise an applicant may waste up to a few weeks of time as SSA’s system mails out a paper application summary to the person’s mailing address for their signature if you do not electronically sign through your MySSA account. The applicant then signs and returns the application for a member of SSA to scan and upload their signed application to the system. Given the SSA is so short-staffed, I advise all of my clients to electronically sign their application through their MySSA account to shorten the timeline as much as possible. The MySSA account also allows an applicant to check the status of their application.
Second, an applicant should return the function report and work history report to their adjudicator as quickly as possible while still fully completing those with specific information.
Third, unless other factors direct otherwise (such as a judge needing to see your impairment) I advise my clients to agree to a telephone hearing with SSA to allow flexibility to receive the soonest hearing available.