skip to Main Content
Smith & Godios Inc. 411 Wolf Ledges Parkway, Suite 400, Akron, OH 44311Toll Free: 877-230-5500

Why does it take so long to have my disability hearing scheduled? Do I really need representation?

Disability HearingPeople often ask why it takes so long to have a hearing to determine if they are disabled. You may have seen the article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer last month – http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2017/12/wait_for_a_social_security_dis.html which asked this question. The number of claims filed has decreased, yet the wait time for hearings has increased. Last year a person had to wait approximately 16 months for a hearing to be scheduled in Akron, 14 months in Cleveland, 20 months in Columbus, 18 months in Cincinnati, 13.5 months in Dayton, and 14 months in Toledo. One year later, the wait time is approximately 18 months in Akron, 16 months in Cleveland, 20 months in Columbus, 20 months in Cincinnati, 18 months in Dayton, and 17 months in Toledo. This is not the wait time from when you file your claim, but the wait time once you request a hearing.

In our office, we do everything we can to make sure that you have a hearing as quickly as possible. We keep your medical information updated so if we are called with a hearing date, we are ready to proceed.

As for whether you should be represented at a hearing – a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that a person who is represented is nearly 3 times as likely to be awarded benefits as someone without representation. If you want representation, please give us a call or contact us through our website.

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top