Can SSA Place a Hold on My Claim?

At the initial and reconsideration stages of the Social Security Disability application process, a decision on your claim will generally be made within 3-6 months. The process can, however, take longer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) may place your case on medical deferment or “Medical Hold” when they have information showing that your disability is not yet stable and the expected change in your disability might affect the determination or decision. This is because the duration of many disabilities is subject to improvement directly related to the therapeutic regimen administered by the treating physician. Your disability must either last or be expected to last for at least 12 months, or result in death, to make you eligible for benefits.

In certain situations, a medical hold is needed to properly evaluate the severity and duration of your disability during or after a stabilizing period. For example, if you have had a recent acute event such as a heart attack or stroke; if you have cancer that may be amenable to treatment; if you have recently had a corrective procedure; or if you have started new drug therapy and your response to this treatment has not yet been established, then SSA may place your claim on medical deferment until more information is received. In these situations, the SSA will obtain more evidence 3 months following the event before evaluating your disability. However, SSA will not wait if enough information to make a determination or decision based on all of the relevant evidence in your case is available.

If you or someone you know is unable to work due to a medical condition, please contact us for a free evaluation of your claim!

Read more on Medical Holds here: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0425505035

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®