1. Initial Application Timeline

For most applicants in Ohio:

• The initial application review takes approximately 3 to 6 months (90 to 180 days)
• Processing times depend on:
• How quickly your doctors respond to SSA requests for medical records
• The complexity of your medical conditions and work history
• Current backlogs at Ohio’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices

2. If Your Application Is Denied

It’s common for initial SSDI claims to be denied. If this happens:

Reconsideration Stage

• You must file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days
• This stage typically takes an additional 2 to 5 months, as a new examiner reviews your claim and any updated evidence

Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

• If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing
• In Ohio, the average wait time for a hearing is 8 to 14 months, depending on your local hearing office’s caseload

3. Total Timeline if You Appeal

If your case proceeds through reconsideration and a hearing, the entire SSDI approval process can take from one to two years or longer. While this can feel overwhelming, many applicants are approved at the hearing stage.

4. Ways to Minimize Delays

Although some factors are outside your control, you can reduce delays by:

• Submitting a complete, detailed application with all medical records included
• Following up with doctors and SSA promptly to ensure records are received
• Responding quickly to SSA requests for additional information
• Staying organized and keeping copies of all submitted documents

5. Compassionate Allowances for Faster Decisions

If you have a condition on SSA’s Compassionate Allowances list, such as ALS or certain aggressive cancers, your application can be fast-tracked, resulting in approval within weeks instead of months.