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HEARING WAIT TIME IS FALLING

According to the latest statistics, the waiting time for a disability hearing with Social Security is decreasing slightly.  


The national average is 11.4 months. 


 In Tennessee, there is remarkable improvement with an average waiting time of 10.7 months.


Nashville still has one of the longest waiting times in Tennessee at 15.0 months.  The ODAR office in Franklin, TN is now down to 11.0 months.


In Alabama, claimants will wait an average of 14 months for a disability hearing.  Here are a couple of examples of Alabama ODAR offices:


Florence 14.0 months
Birmingham 15.0 months


The use of video conferencing also seems to be increasing as a means of scheduling hearings sooner.


I see no evidence that using an attorney or non-attorney advocate reduces the waiting time for the average case. There are exceptions for unusual cases, however.  I had a case this year where the original decision maker had obviously made an error in denying the case.  The evidence was very compelling.  I petitioned and received a review of the case by an ODAR senior attorney who quickly reversed the denial and awarded a fully favorable decision.  Rather than waiting a year for a hearing, this case was resolved in less than 60 days.  That clearly would not have happened had the claimant been unrepresented.


Clicking here will take you to my free webpage where you can find out more and even send me a confidential e-mail if you wish.

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