We do not request reimbursement of costs
(such as repayment for obtaining medical records)
from veterans nor from people who suffer from multiple sclerosis.
- Call today for a free evaluation
- 1-888-774-7243
What Not to Do While Waiting for an SSDI Decision
While the Social Security Administration is in the process of reviewing a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim, there are several common missteps to avoid, including:
- Discontinuing medical treatment
- Missing deadlines or requests for information
- Working above the substantial gainful activity limit
- Ignoring letters or calls from SSA
- Posting misleading content on social media
- Failing to report a change of address
- Giving up after an initial denial
- Trying to manage a complicated claim without guidance.
Any of these errors could slow a case down or give an examiner a reason to deny benefits that might otherwise have been approved.
Understanding the SSDI Waiting Period
Most SSDI applicants wait several months for an initial determination, and considerably longer if a claim moves to reconsideration or a hearing.
During that time, a disability examiner compares medical records and work history against the criteria SSA uses to evaluate SSDI eligibility.
Because the process can take over a year in some regions, it is tempting to assume nothing an applicant does in the meantime matters. In reality, the waiting period is frequently when claims are strengthened or quietly undermined, since it is often the only window an examiner has to see how consistently a condition is documented over time.
Applicants sometimes treat the wait as dead time between mailing an application and receiving a letter. In practice, SSA may be requesting records from multiple providers, routing a file between a state disability determination office and a claims examiner, or waiting on a scheduled consultative exam.
Every one of those steps can be helped or hurt by what an applicant does in the meantime.
The Waiting Period Isn't a Passive Stage
SSA can request updated medical records, schedule a consultative examination, or ask follow-up questions at almost any point before a decision is issued.
Claims examiners also watch for gaps in treatment, inconsistent statements, and unreported changes in income or living situation. Treating the waiting period as a formality rather than an active part of the claim is a common reason that an otherwise strong application ends up denied.
A claim that looks solid on paper at filing can weaken considerably by the time a decision is made if the underlying evidence is not kept current.
8 Mistakes to Avoid While Your SSDI Claim Is Pending
The following missteps come up again and again in pending SSDI cases, and each one is avoidable with a little planning.
1. Stopping Medical Treatment
A gap in treatment can significantly weaken a pending claim.
Examiners review ongoing records to see how a condition is progressing and how it limits daily functioning. Skipping appointments because of cost, transportation, or discouragement weakens the evidence that supports the claim, so it’s worth understanding the importance of consistent treatment records for a pending claim before letting care lapse.
Even short lapses can raise questions about how disabling a condition truly is, so applicants who face barriers to care are usually better off looking into low-cost clinics or payment plans than stopping treatment altogether.
2. Missing Deadlines or Requests for Information
SSA regularly sends forms, questionnaires, or requests for additional records with strict response windows, often just ten to thirty days.
Missing one of these deadlines can pause a claim indefinitely or, in some cases, lead to a denial for failure to cooperate. Setting reminders, keeping a folder for SSA correspondence, and opening every piece of mail from the agency promptly helps you avoid this outcome.
3. Returning to Work Above the SGA Limit
Earning above the substantial gainful activity limit the SSA sets each year suggests that an applicant is capable of full-time work, even if the attempt is brief or unsuccessful. Anyone considering part-time or trial work while a claim is pending should understand how the earnings could be interpreted before accepting the position, rather than finding out after a denial letter arrives.
4. Ignoring Letters or Calls from SSA
Unanswered calls or unopened letters from SSA or a state disability determination office are a common cause of unnecessary delay.
These contacts often request clarification, additional forms, or scheduling for a consultative exam, and a lack of response can be read as lost interest in pursuing the claim. Answering promptly, even just to ask for more time, keeps a file moving forward instead of sitting idle.
5. Posting Misleading Content on Social Media
Social media posts can influence a disability decision. Photos, check-ins, and posts that appear inconsistent with the limitations described in a claim can raise questions during review, even when there is a reasonable explanation behind them.
A photo from a good day out with family can look very different out of context. Examiners and, later, administrative law judges may take note of it, so be mindful of what gets posted while a claim is pending.
6. Failing to Report a Change of Address or Contact Information
A missed notice because of an outdated address is one of the more avoidable ways a claim stalls. SSA cannot forward information it cannot deliver, and a returned letter can pause processing until contact is reestablished.
Updating an address as soon as a move happens, rather than after mail starts bouncing back, helps keep a case on schedule.
7. Giving Up After an Initial Denial
Most SSDI applications are denied at the initial level, and many qualified applicants stop pursuing benefits at that point out of frustration or exhaustion.
Learning more about the appeals process and what happens after a decision helps applicants see that a denial is often one step in a longer process rather than a final answer, and that reconsideration and a hearing remain realistic paths toward approval.
8. Trying to Navigate the Process Alone
SSDI rules around medical evidence, vocational factors, and procedural deadlines are dense, and small errors can have outsized consequences.
Applicants who prepare for a hearing before an administrative law judge with organized records and a clear understanding of what a judge is looking for tend to fare better than those who arrive with little preparation and a thin file.
What to Do Instead While You Wait
A few consistent habits can help protect a pending claim far more effectively than any single action taken at the last minute:
- Keep every scheduled medical appointment and follow prescribed treatment as closely as possible.
- Respond to SSA requests as soon as they arrive, even if the full answer takes a few extra days to gather.
- Keep copies of all forms, letters, denial notices, and medical records organized in one place.
- Understand the SSDI application process from start to finish so each step and its purpose make sense as the case moves forward.
- Report changes in address, income, or household size promptly, in writing when possible.
- Ask questions before making decisions, such as accepting part-time work, that could affect the outcome of the claim.
How Long Does the SSDI Decision Process Take?
Timelines for the SSDI decision process vary by state and by how far a claim progresses, but initial determinations commonly take several months from the date of filing.
If a claim is denied and moves to reconsideration, and then to a hearing before a judge, the process can add a year or more before a final decision is reached.
Applicants can track where a claim stands using SSA’s online tool for checking application or appeal status, which shows the current stage of review and an estimated timeframe for the next update, so there is no need to guess or call repeatedly for status checks.
Protect Your SSDI Claim While You Wait
Waiting for an SSDI decision can feel like being in limbo, but the choices made during this period can have a big impact on whether a claim ultimately succeeds.
Attending appointments, responding promptly to SSA, and avoiding social media pitfalls all help protect the strength of a case while it sits in the review queue.
The disability attorneys at Chermol & Fishman work with claimants across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas locations to review pending applications, gather supporting medical evidence, and prepare for hearings when a case moves to appeal.
Whether a claim is in its early stages or facing a second denial, reaching out for guidance before a small mistake happens is almost always easier than trying to fix one afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my SSDI claim is pending?
Limited part-time work below the substantial gainful activity limit is generally allowed, but any work activity should be reported to SSA and discussed with a knowledgeable advisor first.
What happens if I stop medical treatment while waiting for a decision?
A treatment gap can make it harder to show that a condition is as limiting as described, and examiners may ask why care stopped before continuing to review the claim.
How long does SSA typically take to decide an SSDI claim?
Initial SSDI claim decisions often take several months, and cases that reach the hearing level can take considerably longer depending on the local caseload and court backlog.
Can social media activity affect my SSDI decision?
Public posts, photos, and check-ins that appear inconsistent with reported limitations can be reviewed by examiners or judges during the claims process and can affect your claim outcome, even if the information is taken out of context.
What should I do if I miss a request for information from SSA?
Contact SSA as soon as the missed deadline is noticed, explain the circumstances, and submit the requested information promptly to avoid further delay or a procedural denial.
Do I need to report a change of address while my claim is pending?
SSA needs a current address to send forms and decision notices, and a returned letter can pause processing until updated contact information is on file.
What happens if my initial SSDI application is denied?
A denial of an SSDI claim can be appealed through reconsideration and, if necessary, a hearing before an administrative law judge. For a qualified applicant, an initial denial isn't usually the end of the road.
Is it necessary to have an attorney while waiting for an SSDI decision?
Applicants for SSDI are not required to have an attorney, but an experienced legal professional can help applicants respond to SSA requests correctly, gather the right medical evidence, and prepare for a hearing if one becomes necessary.