Your Post-Hearing Review Status Tells You Where Your Case Stands

After an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) holds your hearing, the Social Security Administration assigns your case a post-hearing review status. This status is not a decision—it is a tracking code that tells you whether the judge has finished writing the decision, whether it has been sent to the Appeals Council, or whether it is waiting for something else. The status appears in your online My Social Security account and in letters SSA mails to you.

The status changes as your case moves through the system. Understanding what each status means helps you know whether to expect a decision soon, whether you need to take action, or whether something has stalled. Most cases move through these statuses in a predictable order, though the time spent at each stage varies widely.

Key Takeaways

  • Post-hearing review status is a tracking code, not a decision—it shows you where your case is in the process after the hearing ends.
  • The most common statuses are "Decision in Progress," "Decision Issued," and "Case Remanded"—each means something different about what happens next.
  • You can check your status in My Social Security online or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask where your case stands.
  • If your status has not changed in more than 90 days, contact your representative or SSA directly, because delays sometimes signal a problem.
  • A remand means the Appeals Council or a higher court sent your case back to the ALJ to hold a new hearing or gather more evidence.

The Most Common Post-Hearing Review Statuses and What They Mean

Decision in Progress means the ALJ has finished the hearing but has not yet written the formal decision. The judge is reviewing the evidence, the testimony, and the medical records, and is drafting the written opinion that explains why he or she approved or denied your claim. This status can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how complex your case is and how busy the judge's office is.

Decision Issued means the ALJ has written and signed the decision. The decision has been mailed to you and to your representative (if you have one). This is when you learn whether the judge approved your claim or denied it. If you were approved, the decision also says when your benefits will start. If you were denied, it explains the judge's reasons and tells you how to appeal to the Appeals Council.

Case Remanded means the Appeals Council or a federal court has sent your case back to the ALJ because the judge made an error, did not gather enough evidence, or did not follow the correct legal standard. A remand does not mean you won or lost—it means you get another chance. The ALJ will hold a new hearing, gather more medical evidence, or issue a new decision based on what the Appeals Council or court said was wrong the first time.

Awaiting Further Action or Pending means your case is waiting for something—perhaps waiting for you to send in more medical records, waiting for a medical informed's report, or waiting for the judge to schedule a new hearing. If you see this status, check any letters SSA has sent you to find out what is needed and by when.

How Long Each Status Usually Takes

There is no fixed timeline for post-hearing review statuses. The time depends on how busy the ALJ's office is, how complex your medical evidence is, and whether the judge needs to order new medical exams or vocational informed reports.

Decision in Progress typically lasts 30 to 120 days, though some cases take longer. If your case involves rare medical conditions, conflicting medical evidence, or questions about your work history, the judge may take more time to write a thorough opinion.

Decision Issued is not a waiting period—it is the moment the decision is final at the ALJ level. From that point, you have 60 days to ask the Appeals Council to review the decision if you disagree with it.

Case Remanded restarts the process. The ALJ will schedule a new hearing, which usually happens 30 to 90 days after the remand order. After the new hearing, you go back through "Decision in Progress" again.

What to Do If Your Status Has Not Changed in More Than 90 Days

If your case has been stuck on "Decision in Progress" for longer than 90 days, or if you see "Awaiting Further Action" but do not know what action is needed, contact SSA. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with someone who can look up your case. Have your Social Security number ready.

If you have a representative—a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate—call them first. They have direct access to the judge's office and can often find out what is causing the delay faster than you can by calling SSA's general line. If the delay is because SSA is waiting for medical records or other evidence, your representative can push to have it sent.

Long delays sometimes happen because the judge's office is understaffed, because medical evidence is missing, or because the case was assigned to a judge who is no longer working there. Asking about the delay does not hurt your case and may speed things up.

What Happens After Decision Issued

Once the ALJ issues a decision approving your claim, SSA processes your case for payment. You will receive a notice showing your monthly benefit amount, the date your benefits start, and information about Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Benefits usually begin the month after the decision is issued, though the exact timing depends on when in the month the decision was signed.

If the ALJ denied your claim, the decision letter explains the reasons and tells you that you have 60 days to file a request for Appeals Council review. You do not have to file within 60 days, but if you do not, you lose the right to appeal to the Appeals Council and your only option becomes filing a new claim or going to federal court.

If you disagree with an approval decision (for example, if you think your start date is wrong or your benefit amount is miscalculated), you can also ask the Appeals Council to review it, though this is rare.

What Happens If Your Case Is Remanded

A remand means the Appeals Council or a federal court found a problem with how the ALJ handled your case. Common reasons for remand include: the judge did not properly weigh the medical evidence, the judge did not follow the correct legal rules for evaluating your condition, or the judge did not gather enough evidence to make a decision.

After a remand, the ALJ will schedule a new hearing. You will receive a notice with the date, time, and location (or whether it will be by phone or video). You can bring new medical records, new witness testimony, or new vocational evidence to this hearing. The ALJ will reconsider your entire case based on all the evidence, old and new.

After the new hearing, the case goes back through "Decision in Progress" and then "Decision Issued." A remand does not may provide approval, but it does mean you get another chance to present your case, and the ALJ must follow whatever instructions the Appeals Council or court gave about how to evaluate your claim.

Checking Your Status Online and by Phone

You can check your post-hearing review status in My Social Security, the online portal at ssa.gov. Log in with your username and password, go to "My Requests," and look for your hearing case. The status will be listed there, along with the date the status was last updated.

If you do not have a My Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or address on file).

You can also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative to tell you your post-hearing review status. Have your Social Security number ready. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon on weekdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a decision after the hearing?

Most decisions are issued within 30 to 120 days after the hearing, but some take longer. The time depends on how busy the judge's office is and how complex your case is. If your case has been in "Decision in Progress" for more than 90 days, you can call SSA or your representative to ask about the delay.

What does "case remanded" mean for my benefits?

A remand means you do not have a final decision yet. The Appeals Council or a court found a problem with the ALJ's decision and sent your case back for a new hearing or new decision. You will get another chance to present your case, but you are not approved or denied until the ALJ issues a new decision after the remand.

Can I work while my case is in post-hearing review?

Yes. Your post-hearing review status does not affect your right to work. If you are working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity limit (which changes each year), SSA may use that as a reason to deny your claim, but the work itself is allowed. Tell your representative if you start working so they can advise you on how it might affect your case.

What if I disagree with the ALJ's decision?

You have 60 days from the date the decision is issued to file a request for Appeals Council review. Your representative can file this for you, or you can file it yourself by contacting the Appeals Council at the address listed in your decision letter. Filing within 60 days preserves your right to appeal; if you miss the important date, you lose the right to Appeals Council review.

Will my status update if I get a new medical record?

If your case is still in "Decision in Progress," sending new medical records may cause the status to change to "Awaiting Further Action" while the judge reviews the new evidence. If your case is already "Decision Issued," new medical records do not change the status—you would need to file an Appeals Council request or a new claim to introduce new evidence.