Social Security disability exists to protect those who can no longer earn a living wage. There are a variety of reasons why someone may find themselves in need of Social Security disability benefits. Many people require benefits after developing a debilitating illness, such as cancer or a degenerative disease like multiple sclerosis.
Others may suffer a sudden traumatic injury, perhaps in a workplace accident or motor vehicle collision. Even those with serious mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, could find themselves unable to work and in need of Social Security disability.
Thankfully, residents of Georgia have the right to connect with a basic income if they can establish that they are in need of benefits. However, there is a difficult application process, as well as an extended waiting time before applicants can receive benefits.
The average wait time in Georgia is over one year
The Social Security Administration handles applications on a rolling, ongoing basis. Hundreds of people apply for benefits every week, and each one must be carefully evaluated for medical and legal validity.
Unfortunately, the careful attention to detail, as well as a large number of applications, means that the SSA often has significant lag between when someone sends in an application and when they finally receive a hearing. Wait times vary across the country, but they are often between one and two years.
For those applying for benefits in Georgia, there are several different facilities which may eventually process the paperwork and set a date for a hearing. The average wait times for these facilities range from 13 months to 17 months. In other words, the average applicant in Georgia waits anywhere from a year to a year-and-a-half before finally having a hearing.
Try to plan for the financial needs of your waiting period
You wouldn’t be applying for Social Security disability if you didn’t need the benefits to ensure financial solvency. Typically, when you receive your benefits, you will receive a payment backdated to the date of the injury or application. However, you will need to go many months without the income you likely need.
Planning carefully for your Social Security disability benefits application is important. You want to make sure that you get everything right and that your doctors’ documentation is clear and thorough enough to ensure that the SSA knows why you need benefits.
You also want to plan for your financial needs while you wait for a hearing for your benefits. The right help can make the process go more smoothly and ensure that you connect with the benefits you deserve after a disabling illness or injury.
