Retirement Social Security

Social Security’s Disability Backlog Could Delay Your Retirement or Force You Into a Smaller Benefit

A growing hearing backlog might mean financial strain for SSDI applicants.

By Paige Cerulli , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 25, 2026

Add Us On Google

A growing Social Security disability hearing backlog may have implications for individuals relying on those benefits before they're able to collect Social Security senior benefits in retirement. As the backlog increases, wait times may also stretch out, leaving applicants in a tough financial spot and facing difficult choices.

Here's what to know about the disability hearing backlog, what it might mean for your application, and what you should know about navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

A home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

The growing SSDI backlog

The Social Security Administration's new projections indicate that the backlog of SSDI hearings may increase by the end of the current fiscal year. According to SSA data, pending hearings may rise from approximately 281,000 to 349,000 by the end of fiscal year 2026. The SSA projects that hearings may decline to 323,000 in fiscal year 2027.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

The SSDI hearing process

The SSDI hearing process is part of the appeals process. If an applicant's initial application is denied, they have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration, during which time a different examiner and medical consultant review the application. The applicant may also provide additional information to be reviewed.

If the application is denied during the reconsideration process, the applicant has 60 days to request a hearing with an administrative law judge. During the hearing, the application is reviewed again, and the judge makes a decision to approve or deny the application.

How a hearing backlog affects near-retirees

The backlog of SSDI hearings may have a particularly significant impact on near-retirees. A stalled disability claim might force a near-retiree to try to keep working past the point their health allows for it out of financial necessity. Doing so might make some health conditions worse, taking a toll on an individual's physical and emotional health.

Alternatively, some applicants who are near retirement age might choose to claim Social Security benefits early. Individuals may claim Social Security benefits beginning at age 62, but if they claim before they reach full retirement age, their benefits are reduced by a small percentage. Those applicants may find their budgets are stretched thin because of the reduced benefits while their disability appeal drags on.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.

Factors that improve your odds in an SSDI hearing

To maximize your chances of being approved during an SSDI hearing, submit your medical records on time, and try to provide any new medical evidence that might strengthen your case. Be sure to read your denial letter to understand just why you were denied, and look for ways to address that issue.

Provide plenty of detail on your function report, since your limitations help the SSA determine whether you're able to perform any work, and always make sure to promptly respond to any SSA communication. If the SSA requests more information or asks you to attend a consultative exam and you don't respond, the SSA might deny your claim because of lack of contact or cooperation.

You may also consider professional representation for your hearing. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, individuals represented by an attorney during the hearing were approved at rates nearly three times higher than individuals who did not have legal representation.

How long it takes to get approved for SSDI

Getting approved for SSDI may be a lengthy process. The SSA indicates that the initial decision may take six to eight months, though appeals may extend that process. July 2026 data indicates that the average SSDI hearing takes about 275 days, or roughly nine months.

The data on denial rates for first-time SSDI applicants

Keep in mind that the majority of SSDI applications are initially denied. According to SSA data, approximately 36% of initial SSDI applications are approved during the first review stage. Approval rates average just 15% during the reconsideration phase, but requesting a hearing may significantly improve your odds, as national approval rates average about 50% during the hearing stage.

This data means that most of the people who were ultimately approved for SSDI were denied at least once, and it emphasizes the importance of fully understanding and following the appeal requirements.

Retirement News: Almost 80% of Americans fear a retirement age increase — here’s the real reason why

Bottom line

If your initial SSDI application is denied, don't panic. Instead, remember that you have 60 days to appeal the denial and spend some time gathering any additional information that might help strengthen your case, including new medical information. Double- and triple-check your application and supporting documentation for accuracy, and pay close attention to any deadlines that you need to meet to keep your case on track.

Waiting on an SSDI approval may be emotionally and financially stressful, and given the potentially long timeline for a review, it may be a good idea to find additional income sources if possible. If you're near retirement age and considering claiming Social Security early, do some calculations to see how much you might lose in benefits and whether it makes sense to claim early, or if there are other ways you may stay on track for retirement.

More from FinanceBuzz: