What if I move while my Social Security claim is pending?

Posted April 23, 2015 by Premier Disability Services, LLC® After filing a claim for disability benefits, many claimants will inevitably face a situation where they are required to move for various reasons. Some claimants may move simply because they have found a better residence, and unfortunately some claimants will be required to move due to financial reasons. Regardless of the circumstances, claimants must remember to update the Social Security Administration (SSA) with their updated contact information.

Following an application for benefits, SSA will primarily communicate with a claimant via U.S. Mail. They will send forms for a claimant to complete, notices of any scheduled appointments, and notices of the decision. Most of this correspondence requires action on the claimant’s part, and failure to take the requested action may lead to a delay in the claim, or even a denial or dismissal. Because correspondence from SSA is so important, a claimant must make sure the Administration always has an up to date address on file.

In addition, if a claim reaches the hearing level, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) will schedule a claimant’s hearing location based on the address they have on file. If the address is not up to date, a claimant may be required to travel a long distance to their hearing or postpone the hearing altogether. For most claimants, once their claim reaches the hearing level they have been waiting for benefits for more than a year, sometimes even two. If a claimant is required to postpone their hearing for a change in location, they may be required to wait multiple months before it is rescheduled.

Considering how long it takes to receive benefits in many cases, it is important that claimants do everything in their power to avoid any unnecessary delays. If you have a claim pending and you recently changed your address or phone number, please take a moment to provide this information to your local SSA office if you have not done so already. This is a relatively simple step that could go a long way in speeding up your claim.

By: Thomas A. Klint of Premier Disability Services, LLC®