Direct answer
How long does the Appeals Council take?
Appeals Council review of an SSDI case typically takes many months to more than a year, depending on caseload and the complexity of the issues — the SSA publishes current average processing times on its appeals performance pages.
You can check current averages before filing to set realistic expectations.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
Where can I see current wait times?
The SSA publishes Appeals Council average processing times online and updates them regularly.
Can Appeals Council review be expedited?
In limited critical-case circumstances such as terminal illness or dire need, similar to earlier appeal levels.
What happens if I miss the 60-day deadline?
You can ask for a good-cause extension; otherwise the ALJ decision becomes final and you would need to file a new application.
Topics
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA — Appeals Process (Appeals Council) (ssa.gov)
- SSA — Appeals Council Processing Times (ssa.gov)