SSDI application timeline - SSA asking for medical info with only 4 days to respond - normal?

This is actually pretty standard for SSA, though the 4-day timeframe is on the shorter end. What they're asking for is supplemental medical evidence for her SSDI claim. It's a good sign - it means they're actively working on her case rather than letting it sit. I'd recommend she call them ASAP with whatever information she has on hand. Even if she can't gather everything in 4 days, calling to provide what she has and explaining she needs more time is better than missing the deadline entirely. They can sometimes extend it if you communicate with them. Regarding an attorney - many people successfully navigate SSDI without one at this stage. If she gets denied initially (which happens to about 65% of applicants), that would be the ideal time to get representation for the reconsideration and appeal process. SSDI attorneys work on contingency - they typically take 25% of backpay up to a maximum of $7,000 if she wins. They don't get paid if she doesn't get approved.

They ALWAYS do this!! Give you barely any time to respond and then take MONTHS to make decisions. So frustrating! When I applied last year, they gave me 5 days to submit additional info. I panicked and called them 8 times before finally getting through. Make sure she calls EXACTLY when they open (check the office hours) because if she waits until afternoon, she probably won't get through. And yes, they'll just want the contact info for doctors - they request the actual records themselves. But if she already has copies of medical records, she should mention that during the call! Good luck - the SSDI process is a NIGHTMARE of waiting and random urgent requests followed by more waiting.

I'm an SSDI advocate, and I want to clarify a few things: 1. This is a standard request called a "Consultative Exam Development Request" - they're gathering info to determine if they need more medical evidence. The 4-day timeframe is unusually short but not unheard of. 2. During this call, they'll ask for: - Names, addresses & phone numbers of all treating doctors - Dates of treatment/appointments (approximate is fine) - Hospital visits and procedures with dates - Current medications - Any changes in condition since filing 3. About attorneys: While many people successfully navigate the initial application without one, having representation from the beginning can improve approval chances. The benefit of waiting is saving money if approved initially, but the risk is potentially missing important details. 4. For finding a good attorney: Look for one who specializes exclusively in Social Security Disability, has at least 5+ years experience, and offers a free consultation. Your state bar association or local disability advocacy groups can provide referrals. 5. Fee structure: It's regulated by SSA - typically 25% of backpay up to $7,000 maximum. No upfront costs and no fee if no approval.

@profile7 That's a common misconception. Many attorneys are willing to take cases at the initial application stage, though some prefer to wait until reconsideration or hearing levels where their expertise adds more value. In my experience, having representation from the beginning can be beneficial because: 1. They ensure the application emphasizes the right medical details that align with SSA's disability criteria 2. They can help gather and submit medical evidence in the most favorable light 3. They can spot potential issues early and address them proactively 4. They understand how to frame the case in terms of the Social Security Blue Book listings Since the fee is capped at $7,000 regardless of when they take the case, some attorneys prefer later stages where less work might be needed for the same maximum fee. But many will take initial applications, especially for severe conditions with strong medical evidence.

hey my brothers wife went thru this exact thing last summer!! the 4 day thing is super normal, theyre just trying to keep cases moving. she should just call asap and give whatever info she has. it's not the end of the world if she doesn't remember every single date perfectly they just want a general idea. my SIL forgot some doctors and called back the next day to add them and it was fine. also fyi if she misses this deadline they don't automatically deny her! they'll likely just send another letter or try calling her. the SSA moves slooooow trust me lol

I was denied TWICE before getting approved!!! 4 days is RIDICULOUS!!! This is how they try to DENY people by making impossible deadlines!!!! I had to call at 7:30am for THREE DAYS IN A ROW just to get through to a human!! The whole system is DESIGNED to wear you down until you give up!!! TELL HER TO GET AN ATTORNEY NOW!!!! I didn't get one until my second denial and I REGRET IT! They know exactly what medical info to focus on and what the SSA is looking for. The free consultations are WORTH IT!

When I was struggling to reach someone at Social Security for my disability review last year, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an SSA agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. It saved me so much stress during an already stressful time. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Given the short 4-day deadline your daughter-in-law is facing, it might be worth checking out if she has trouble getting through on the phone. I know how frustrating it can be trying to reach SSA, especially when there's time pressure involved.

To answer your question about deadline extensions - yes, they can and often do extend deadlines when you communicate with them. The key is to call before the deadline passes and explain the situation. When she calls, she should: 1. Have as much information ready as possible 2. Be clear about what she has and what she still needs to gather 3. Ask politely for a specific amount of additional time (1-2 weeks is reasonable) 4. Get the name of the representative she speaks with 5. Take detailed notes about the conversation The SSA generally understands that gathering complete medical information takes time, especially for complex conditions. They're much more likely to work with claimants who communicate proactively rather than those who miss deadlines without explanation.

Update: She called SSA this morning right when they opened (thank you all for that tip!) and was able to get through after about a 20-minute wait. The representative was actually very understanding and said the 4-day timeframe is just their standard language, but they'd be happy to give her more time to gather complete information. She provided the contact details for her primary doctors and specialists, and they're giving her until next Friday to submit any additional information she remembers. The rep also explained they'll be contacting her doctors directly for the actual medical records. Thank you all for the advice and reassurance! We're still considering whether to get an attorney at this stage. She has very clear medical evidence of her disability, but I've heard the process can be complicated regardless.

Great update! One thing I learned the hard way: keep a disability journal!!! Write down EVERY doctor visit, medication change, bad day, symptom flare, etc. It helps SO MUCH when they ask for these random details months later. I got denied partly because I couldn't remember exact dates of certain procedures and treatments, and the SSA claimed that meant I wasn't receiving "regular treatment" (even though I was!). Also - has she listed ALL her conditions on her application? My biggest mistake was only listing my main condition but not including my secondary conditions that also affect my ability to work.

That's wonderful that she was able to get through and get an extension! I'm currently going through the SSDI process myself (filed 3 months ago) and this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add - when she follows up to make sure SSA contacted her doctors, she should also ask her doctors' offices if they've received the records request. I learned that some medical offices require patients to sign additional release forms even after SSA contacts them, especially for mental health records or records from hospital systems. My psychiatrist's office called me to come in and sign a specific form before they would release my records to SSA. Also, if any of her doctors have retired or closed their practices since she started treatment, she'll want to track down where those records went. That happened with one of my specialists and it took weeks to figure out the records had been transferred to another practice. Best of luck with her case! The fact that SSA is actively requesting medical information is definitely a positive sign that they're working on it.

I'm glad to hear she got through and received an extension! As someone who works in healthcare administration, I wanted to add that when SSA contacts doctors' offices for records, the process can sometimes take longer than expected due to staffing shortages and high volume of requests. A few practical tips that might help: - If she has patient portal access to any of her medical records, she could download/print copies as backup in case there are delays with the official requests - Some larger hospital systems have dedicated disability coordinators who handle SSA requests more efficiently - she could ask if her providers have this - Keep copies of any imaging reports (MRIs, CT scans, etc.) and lab results that clearly show her condition, as these are often the most compelling evidence for SSA The medical records request is actually a very positive sign - it means her case is being actively reviewed rather than sitting in a pile. Many people don't realize that SSA requesting additional medical evidence usually indicates they're seriously considering approval but need more documentation to support their decision. Good luck with the rest of the process!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently helping my elderly father navigate his SSDI application, and reading about everyone's experiences has been invaluable. One thing I learned from our local disability advocacy group is that if your daughter-in-law's case gets approved at this initial stage (fingers crossed!), the approval letter will include important information about Medicare eligibility timing. SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare 24 months after their "disability onset date" (not the application date), so it's worth understanding that timeline early on. Also, I wanted to mention that some community health centers and legal aid organizations offer free SSDI assistance programs where trained volunteers help with paperwork and process navigation. It's not the same as having an attorney, but it can be a good middle ground if she's still deciding about legal representation. Your local Area Agency on Aging might have information about these resources. The fact that she has family support (you!) helping her through this process is huge. The SSDI system can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with health issues that affect cognitive function. Having someone advocate for her and keep track of deadlines makes such a difference.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process successfully last year. The medical records request phase can feel overwhelming, but you're handling it exactly right by staying proactive and organized. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet with all my medical providers, their contact info, and the approximate dates of treatment. I shared this with SSA during my call, and they seemed to appreciate having everything organized. It also made it easier for me to follow up later and ensure they'd received responses from each provider. Since she's dealing with brain fog, I'd also suggest having her write down a few key points about her daily limitations before any future calls with SSA. Sometimes they ask unexpected questions about how her conditions affect her ability to work, and it's easy to get flustered and forget important details when you're on the spot. The fact that SSA is actively requesting medical records after 5 months is actually a pretty good timeline - many people wait much longer before hearing anything. Keep up the great advocacy for her!

As someone who works with SSDI applicants, I'm really glad to see she got through and received an extension! That 4-day deadline language is standard but they're usually flexible when you communicate proactively. A few additional things to keep in mind as her case progresses: 1. **Function Report importance**: If SSA hasn't already sent her the "Function Report" (Form SSA-3373), they likely will soon. This form asks detailed questions about her daily activities and how her conditions limit her ability to work. Take time with this - it's one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle. 2. **Treating physician statements**: If her doctors are willing, having them complete a "Medical Source Statement" or "Residual Functional Capacity" form can be incredibly helpful. These forms specifically address work-related limitations rather than just treatment notes. 3. **Vocational factors**: At her age and with her work history, SSA will also consider whether there are other jobs she could potentially do given her limitations. This is where having comprehensive documentation of ALL her functional limitations becomes crucial. The medical records request is definitely a positive sign that they're moving forward with her case rather than just sitting on it. Keep doing exactly what you're doing - staying organized, meeting deadlines, and advocating for her throughout the process!

I'm so glad to hear she got through and received an extension! This thread has been incredibly informative - I'm actually bookmarking it for future reference since I may need to help other family members navigate this process. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience working in medical records: when SSA contacts doctors' offices for records, sometimes there can be delays if the office has questions about what specific time period or types of records they need. If your daughter-in-law has particularly long treatment histories with any providers, she might want to proactively call those offices to let them know SSA will be contacting them and clarify that they need records related to her disability conditions from [whatever date range is relevant]. Also, some smaller practices are slower to respond to these requests simply because they don't handle them as frequently as larger hospital systems. If she doesn't hear back from SSA about having received all the records within a couple weeks, it might be worth following up. The collaborative approach you're taking - staying organized, communicating proactively, and considering all the advice from this community - is exactly what increases the chances of a successful outcome. Wishing her the best with the rest of the process!

This has been such a valuable discussion to read through! As someone who's completely new to the SSDI process, I'm taking notes on all the practical advice shared here. One question I haven't seen addressed - should she be documenting this entire interaction with SSA (the initial request, the phone call, the extension they granted)? I'm wondering if keeping a detailed log of all communications with SSA throughout the process is important for her records, especially if there are any discrepancies or issues down the line. Also, has anyone had experience with SSA following up if they don't receive responses from some of the medical providers within a reasonable timeframe? I'm curious whether they typically reach out to the applicant to problem-solve or if they just move forward with whatever records they're able to obtain. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise - this thread is going to help so many people navigating this complex process!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently in month 3 of waiting after submitting my SSDI application, so reading about everyone's experiences with the medical records request phase is really reassuring. One thing I wanted to add that helped me prepare early on - I created a comprehensive list of ALL my medical providers going back 5 years, including specialists I only saw once or twice. I included their contact info, approximate treatment dates, and what conditions they treated. My disability attorney suggested this approach because SSA often asks for more comprehensive medical history than people initially expect. The 4-day deadline does seem standard but stressful! I'm glad your daughter-in-law was able to get an extension. For others reading this thread, I'd also recommend asking SSA for their fax number during the call in case you need to send any additional documentation quickly. Sometimes faxing supplemental information can be faster than waiting for mail to arrive within tight deadlines. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and professional insights - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes this intimidating process feel more manageable!