Allsup Inc., the nation's leading Social Security disability representation company, researched and answered one of the most common questions about disability and Social Security.
Belleville, Ill. -- June 19, 2007 -- Allsup Inc., a company that specializes in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications, is now providing some free advice on some common questions about disability and Social Security. One of the top questions is, "When will I get paid after an award?"
For a majority of claimants who get awarded their SSDI benefits, the time between being awarded and actually seeing a check is 60-90 days. In a small percentage of cases Allsup has seen payments in as little as 1-2 weeks. This is typically for simple cases awarded at level one or two in the claims process.
Allsup's extensive experience with the Social Security's Payment Centers shows that they typically need at least 60 days to process an award.
As for reasons why awards are delayed - the reasons are many.
In California for example, Social Security offsets (reduces) disability benefits by how much a person receives from state disability. This adds time to the process as SSA has to figure out how much that offset will be, and thus a delay.
In most other states, SSA offsets disability benefits by workers' compensation benefits. Again, this delays payment. A similar situation occurs with Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
There are also delays that can be inadvertently be caused by the individual.
Once an award is made, SSA has to verify citizenship through original copies of birth certificates or naturalization documents. Allsup knows this and follows up with SSA to see if any of these documents are needed. If applying alone a person will probably have to wait for a letter instructing them to bring these documents to the local SSA office. This may be months after the award.
Additionally, if there is a large amount of retroactive benefits (back-pay) coming, SSA needs multiple signatures before releasing the check, which delays payment. It is also possible on large awards for the payments to arrive in multiple checks over a period of a few months.
As a general guideline however, people should not expect anything before 60 days after an award and be prepared for a longer wait. With SSA being over-worked, over-loaded, under-budgeted and under-staffed they are working as hard as they can, but delays are inevitable, and can be lengthy.
Remember, Allsup is always here to help. It is all they do, and they have helped tens of thousands of people get the benefits they deserve. You stay at home. We do the work (sm).
Press Contact:
Dan Allsup
800-854-1418 x5760