How long does it take to get SSDI in Virginia?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 05/27/2025
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a long and uncertain process—especially if you’re dealing with a serious medical condition and need support right away. In Virginia, the timeline to receive SSDI benefits depends on several factors, including how complete your application is, whether you need to appeal, and how backlogged your local Social Security office is.
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Typical SSDI Timeline in Virginia
The SSDI process involves multiple steps, and each comes with its own estimated timeline:
- Initial Application Decision: 3 to 6 months
After you submit your application, it typically takes 90 to 180 days for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make an initial decision. This varies based on how quickly they receive your medical records and whether additional information is needed. - Request for Reconsideration (if denied): 2 to 4 months
If your initial claim is denied (as many are), the first appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration. This review usually takes another 60 to 120 days. - Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge: 12 to 18 months
If your reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). In Virginia, hearing wait times can exceed a year, especially in busy areas like Richmond or Norfolk. - Appeals Council and Federal Court: Variable
If your case proceeds beyond the ALJ hearing, the timeline becomes more unpredictable and can stretch over additional months or even years.
What Can Delay Your SSDI Decision in Virginia?
Several common issues can slow down your case:
- Incomplete or missing medical records
- Failure to respond to SSA requests
- Delays in scheduling Consultative Exams
- High caseloads at local SSA field offices or hearing offices
Is There a Way to Speed Up the SSDI Process?
While you can’t fully control how long the SSA takes to process your application, there are ways to help avoid delays:
- Submit a complete and accurate application
- Include detailed and up-to-date medical records
- Check your SSA portal regularly and respond promptly to any requests
- Consider requesting a “Compassionate Allowance” if you have a qualifying condition (e.g., terminal illness or specific serious diseases)
How Back Pay Works
Even though it can take months (or years) to get approved, once you’re approved, you may receive back pay. This includes retroactive benefits starting from your established onset date (EOD)—the date your disability began—minus a mandatory five-month waiting period.
How Hogan Smith Can Help
Navigating SSDI timelines can be frustrating—especially when you’re waiting for support you desperately need. At Hogan Smith, we help you:
- Submit a complete application to reduce delays
- Track and follow up with SSA offices in Virginia
- Gather strong medical evidence to speed up approvals
- Represent you throughout appeals, including ALJ hearings
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you're applying for SSDI in Virginia or stuck waiting on a decision, let Hogan Smith help you through the process. Contact us for a free consultation, and we’ll make sure your claim stays on track and moves forward as quickly as possible.
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