# How long is the wait for an SSDI ALJ hearing?

The wait covers the time from your hearing request until the ALJ issues a written decision; local backlog, judge availability, and case complexity all affect the timeline.

**Direct answer:** The wait for an SSDI ALJ hearing varies by hearing office and typically spans many months to more than a year — the SSA publishes current average processing times for each hearing office on its appeals performance pages.

## Where can I see current wait times?
The SSA publishes hearing-office average processing times online and updates them regularly.

## Can the wait be shortened?
Yes — under critical-case procedures for dire need, terminal illness, or certain military and Compassionate Allowance situations.

## What can I do during the wait?
Keep medical treatment ongoing, submit updated records to the hearing office, and respond promptly to any SSA requests.

## Sources
- SSA — Hearing Process — https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/hearing_process.html
- SSA — Hearing Office Average Processing Time — https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_Average_Processing_Time_Report.html

## Related questions
- [What happens at an SSDI hearing?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-happens-at-an-ssdi-hearing)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSDI Appeals — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals
- ALJ Hearing — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-happens-at-an-ssdi-hearing

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