Social Security does not have quick access to worker's comp or SDI info. Through the normal request channels, it can take 5 weeks for SDI and 5 months or longer for worker's comp if they respond at all. If there is any indication that worker's comp or SDI was paid in the past (and it is part of the first set of questions asked on your initial application 2, 3, 4, 5 years ago), then that has to be verified BEFORE retroactive benefits are determined and before the fee is determined because the fee is based on retroactive benefits.

Also, if there was any SSI claim paid or even often if an SSI claim was filed, an offset computation has to be done by the local office based on information supplied by the central office, so there can be lots of going back and forth between the two and each time, there are cases in front of yours waiting for the same thing.

I know you don't want to hear this, but you should be able to see that there are two main reasons that payment of a claim, especially one that has so much retroactivity, takes so long. One reason is that the payment data systems are both complex and a bit archiac. Second, is that at every step along the way, there are other claimants who have been in that line as long or longer than you.

It is reasonable to expect first check 30-60 days after a favorable decision, and retroactive benefits 60-90 days after the decision. A written decision is important, but it is just a piece of paper issued by the hearings office. The operations part of SSA (field office and payment centers) don't start on their part of the processing until AFTER the written decision.

Employees have varying levels of expertise so when you call the 800# you may get a teleservice rep or sometimes a payment center benefit authorizer who is pulled from paying claims to answering phones. When you go into your local office, you may get a service rep or you may get a technical expert who is pulled from paying claims to helping take care of everyone who walked in the door. So, unfortunately, you can get somewhat different answers depending upon the knowledge base of the employee you are speaking to.

Not what you all want to hear, I know. I'll stay out of the rest of the discussion. There does seem to be a band of buddies here.