How Long Does It Take To Get Social Security Disability?

How Long Does the Social Security Disability Process Take?

Published On - October 29, 2025

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If you are disabled and unable to work, you may be experiencing significant financial stress. It can be overwhelming to face a mounting stack of bills without any income to pay them. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder if you should seek disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, and if so, how long it might take to receive those benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits available and how long it may take to receive them.

What Social Security Disability Benefits Are Offered?

Those considering filing a claim for disability benefits should know that the Social Security Administration offers two types of benefit programs that may be available depending on your circumstances. These include:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance: Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or SSDI benefits for short, are benefits that the Social Security Administration pays to applicants with a disabling condition that has rendered them unable to work for at least one continuous calendar year or more. In addition, the applicant must be “insured” to receive benefits. The Social Security Administration considers an applicant “insured” if they work a job through which they regularly paid employment taxes into the Social Security system for a sufficient amount of time. The calculation of SSDI benefits will depend largely upon an individual’s work and earnings history. In 2025, the maximum amount of SSDI benefits that an individual can receive is $4,018 per month.
  • Supplemental Security Income: Supplemental Security Income benefits, or SSI benefits for short, are intended for individuals with a disability that has rendered them unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more, and who have income and resources below a specific limit established annually by the Social Security Administration. Applicants need not be “insured” in order to receive SSI benefits. In 2025, the maximum monthly amount of SSI is $967 for an individual, and $1,450 per couple.

Sometimes, those who are disabled wonder if they can receive SSDI and SSI benefits simultaneously. In certain cases, this is possible, and is known as receiving “concurrent benefits.” Consulting with an attorney regarding this possibility and your particular circumstances is always a wise decision.

How to Seek Social Security Disability Benefits

Regardless of which type of benefit you decide to pursue, you may wonder what the application process consists of and how long it will take. These are understandable questions to ask, and knowing the basics of the application process ahead of time can provide much-needed peace of mind.

The essential steps of the process of applying for disability benefits include:

  • Finding the right attorney: The importance of having the right attorney to help you through any complicated legal matter cannot be overstated. The right attorney will be able to discuss your circumstances with you and provide personalized guidance regarding the best path forward for your situation. At Muse Disability, we’re here to help.
  • Gathering necessary evidence: In the process of pursuing benefits, you will be required to submit evidence regarding your disability and its effect on your daily life. This will typically include medical evidence regarding your condition, its duration, its symptoms, and its impact on your ability to engage in usual activities, including work. You may also need to provide evidence from your employer regarding your inability to perform your job as you otherwise would.
  • Completing the application: This part of the process consists of obtaining the necessary application material from the Social Security Administration and completing and submitting those materials with the assistance of your attorney. After doing so, you will await an initial decision on your claim. Depending on how busy the Social Security Administration is at the time, this could take several months, so patience will be important.
  • Receiving your decision and appealing if necessary: Sometimes, benefit claims are denied on the first attempt. If this happens to you, you should know that it is not unusual and shouldn’t panic. Instead, you should consult with your attorney regarding whether or not you want to pursue an appeal. If you do, your attorney can guide you through the necessary steps of that process.

Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to receive benefits will depend upon how long each of the various stages of the process takes in your particular case, and the complexity of your unique situation. Consulting with an attorney regarding your circumstances is always a wise decision, and at Muse Disability, we’re here for you.

Call Muse Disability Today

At Muse Disability, we know that when you’re disabled and unable to work, you want to do all you can to pursue the disability benefits you need as quickly and effectively as possible. That’s why we’re here to help. We know the significant difference that benefits can make in relieving financial stress. We also know and understand every aspect of the law that pertains to the process of pursuing benefits. Our talented and experienced team of attorneys will help you each step of the way, and we’re ready to get started. If you are too, give us a call. We look forward to helping you soon.

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