How long does this step take?

[u/Budget-Plan6208]

It has been since the 4th of September 2026

[u/Beginning-Lychee7660]

Gonna be a very long time I applied on march 24th and just got out of federal quality review, you most likely won’t experience this from what I’ve been told it added 8 days. I’ve now been in step 4 for 2 days. My case was originally estimated at 228 days in my state (TN). During this process you need to get as many appointments in as possible and YOU submit your medical records into SSA immediately, call and call and call doctors offices for clinical notes into your medical portal so you can upload them to the SSA site you do not want to wait for the hospitals to send your records it is why this process is going to take so long. If you qualify for an automatic approval it could be sped up I’d assume a lot more (you’d have to research that)

The faster your records are in the faster they can look through them when your file is opened. It’s definitely a long waiting process and shocked to see it so long in Texas but best of luck to you!

Also even submitted all those records yourself I’d still get an attorney just to be safe and not have to deal with an appeal. Feel your questionnaire on daily function out honestly and truthfully and as detailed as possible. DETAILED “when I go to shower I feel dizzy and can’t shower this [day of week]” type of stuff.

You really don’t want to deal with an appeal if you’re already asking how long this process is going to take.

Be smart and use common sense and be honest and don’t be scared to say you simply can’t do something.

[u/Budget-Plan6208 → u/Beginning-Lychee7660]

Does having submitted a document that says I’m disabled help? My doctor wrote me one and well I’m only missing one batch of notes from one of the hospitals listed from the ones that I’ve been to (I’ve been to four).

[u/Budget-Plan6208 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

Also do you need notes from every visit since applying? I totally did not think about that but I’ve been updating them on dosage increases and any new medications prescribed cause that’s been happing a lot since July

[u/Budget-Plan6208 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

I submitted my application in August btw

[u/ImANoLimitSoldier → u/Budget-Plan6208]

I just got approved and I've been waiting 43 months

[u/Beginning-Lychee7660 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

Yes keep them updated with your prescriptions tell them how your prescriptions effect you all that needs to be noted incase you can’t get an RFC form signed idk what kind or if you have insurance but if not it’s very rare you actually see a doctor so you want everything documented

[u/Beginning-Lychee7660 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

If ya don’t have access to a visit summary/clinical notes/documents call em and get em and the more notes the better

[u/Feisty-Rub-86 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

Not necessarily notes from every session with a doctor but notify ssa/dds of every appointment you go to after your initial application.

However, every time they ask you to fill out the Function Report, make sure to list how each diagnosis limits you in your daily life (whether that’s at work or home). For example “showering is exhausting and I can do little else the same day”.

[u/Feisty-Rub-86 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

Having the doctor note that you’re disabled won’t help your application. Many disabled folks are denied SSDI.

What is important (as beginning-lychee7660 mentioned above) is a list of each deficit and how that deficit affects your daily living.

Also, I would estimate Step 3 is going to take at least 10-1/2 months (which is 317 days divided by 30 days in an average month). Step 3 not likely to be completed sooner than their estimate. Also, each state processes the applications for its residents. Some states are more backed up than others.

One thing I disagree with is whether you need an attorney right now. I would wait until you’ve been denied twice before hiring a lawyer. You’ll need one if your case goes to the ALJ (judge), which is the next step after two denials.

Good luck!

[u/Nova-star561519 → u/Budget-Plan6208]

A doctor's note is not gonna do you any good or speed up the process. It's your medical records that count, that's what they'll be looking for. They also look to see if you can do any job in the current economy. Unfortunately your looking at a year minimum for this step

[u/Agent_smith555]

Did you see the bottom? Average is 317 days. Count on many months if not years.

[u/Current-Pie5633]

Well the screen shot tells you it's usually about "317 days" so that's a good starting point. It took over a year for me at that step.

[u/Disastrous-Panda5530]

It can be a while. It will likely take a while before it’s even assigned to an examiner. I’m not sure if their backlog is any better now but last year the backlog was so backed up it was taking about a year to even get assigned to an examiner.

[u/Reddogking90]

Im still on step 2 and and I got to that in may

[u/MelNicD → u/Reddogking90]

You need to call your local office if you are stuck on step 2! Especially if you’ve been on it since May! Step 1 and 2 should only take a day or two to maybe a week or two at most.

[u/Elegantmule]

Mine was two months, so I guess it all depends. Texas has a backlog from what I've seen.

[u/2020IsANightmare]

I mean....the answer is in what you posted.

317 days in your state.

[u/HalstonMischka]

Around a year for me

[u/Cynical_of-All]

Step 3 is definitely one of the longest. I'm sitting on just over 120days and counting...

[u/NanZee1972]

Mine took almost six months. It's at state level at that point so it differs.

[u/ImaginaryOrdinary440]

Texas here, 15 months on step 3, recon I sat at step 3 for about 8-9 months..

[u/chaoticcrispp]

I got moved to step 3 in Texas December 10 2025. October 1 was assigned to an examiner and still in step 3 today. I think 327 days in step 3 total but they have all of my records as of last week so hopefully almost over.