How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for Disability in Missouri?
The hard truth when it comes to applying for benefits is that applying for disability benefits in most states in the United States of America can be a daunting process. Especially in a state like Missouri, there is usually an 80% possibility that most applications will be denied at the initial stage. This may be a result of some inevitable factors.
The state of Missouri has a population of around 3.6 million people and is ranked 42nd in the United States of America for the highest percentage of approval at hearings. The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits to about 5.4 percent of these residents (SSA). A claim for Social Security Disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) does not have to be decided within a specific timeframe.
This is naturally aggravating for disabled people claiming for disability benefits in Missouri, as they are almost probably facing financial troubles (otherwise, they would not be seeking disability income) and would like to know when (or if) they would receive their first disability check.
Although some Missouri Social Security Disability applicants receive benefits in as little as a few months, the majority of applicants must wait more than a year to receive the benefits they so urgently seek. This is largely owing to the fact that before receiving benefits, most applicants must appear before an administrative law judge at a disability hearing. The time it takes for your hearing to be arranged in Missouri might range from 321 to 609 days. After you have been seen by an administrative law judge, you will have to wait for another two to three months to hear the judge’s verdict on your disability case.
In most cases, the large length of time it takes to approve a disability hearing is usually due to a backlog of disability claims at the offices that schedule the SSA’s disability hearings. The Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is in charge of scheduling hearings before an administrative law judge.
Missouri Disability Approval Rates by Year
This table show the approval rate for disability in Missouri by year in contrast with the national average.
| Initial Application Approval Rate | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
| Missouri | 40.4% | 41.1% | 36.8% | 35.8% | 33.1% | 34.5% | 34.6% | 33.2% | 34.1% | 33.5% | 32.6% |
| National Average | 38.4% | 37.9% | 35.6% | 34.7% | 33.7% | 33.1% | 32.8% | 33.0% | 33.4% | 33.2% | 35.1% |
Lastly, the area you stay in Missouri will determine the social administration office handling your case and it will be imperative to check which office is handling your claim so that you can check the amount of time it usually takes. I will list some offices that may aid you;
Creve Coeur, Missouri
The ODAR office located in Creve Coeur is responsible for managing the disability hearings for the Social Security field offices in Creve Coeur, Fenton, St. Louis (North County), St. Louis (South Side), St. Louis (Central West End), St. Peters and Union. It takes this office an average of 321 days to schedule a disability hearing for Missouri Social Security Disability applicants.
Kansas City, Missouri
The Kansas City ODAR office is responsible for managing the disability hearings for the Social Security field offices in Chillicothe, Gladstone, Independence, Kansas City (Euclid Street), Kansas City (Gateway), Maryville and St. Joseph. It takes this office an average of 463 days to schedule a disability hearing before an administrative law judge.
Springfield, Missouri
The ODAR office located in Springfield, Missouri is responsible for scheduling the disability hearings for the Social Security field offices in Lebanon and Springfield. It takes this office an average of 609 days to schedule a disability hearing.
St. Louis, Missouri
The ODAR office located in St. Louis manages the disability hearings for the Social Security field offices in Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, Kennett, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and downtown St. Louis. It takes this office an average of 475 days to schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Wichita, Kansas
The ODAR office located in Wichita, Kansas is responsible for scheduling the disability hearings for the Social Security field offices in Joplin, Missouri and Nevada, Missouri. It takes this office an average of nine months to schedule a disability hearing.
In the end, having the assistance of an attorney can help your chances of approval for benefits and help shorten the timeline to benefits approval. Seek the assistance of a St. Louis disability attorney today.
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