Cyndi...Do you have a lawyer? You really really really need a lawyer! I cannot say that enough times.
I just won my disability hearing at the ALJ stage on May 11. I got the decision letter last saturday and am awaiting my awards letter now.
If you want a good attorney let me know. Mine is out of atlanta but works nationally. He is really nice.
Ok..now about your question. I did wait awhile for the hearing. I applied in 2005 the second time. My first application was in 2003 but I got denied and failed to appeal it. Then I applied again in June of 2005 I think. At least that is what this letter I have in front of me says...lol. Well I got denied of course but when that happened I got the lawyer to handle the reconsideration and the ALJ hearing. The reconsideration appeal was due in early 2006...like January and I was denied by febuary 06 and I appealed to the ALJ immediately.
In April of 07 I found out that I was going to have some tax problems with my house because I was stupid about property taxes. They were threatening to foreclose. I called my lawyer and he had me send him the letter they sent me and he sent that into the hearings office to ask for an expedited hearing and lo and behold I was granted one! I was sent a letter about two weeks later telling me that I was having a hearing on May 11 and one week later they sent out my favorable decision. I couldnt believe it!
Now if they will get me my money that fast it will be a miracle. They even went back and set my disability date to March of 04.
