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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How to speed up Disability approval?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Humble, TX
August 23
 · 
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A myRAteam Member

In Canada, it took me over 2 years, 3 refusals at which point I chose to appear before a tribunal and judge to speak for myself. My pain specialist spoke too. Photos of my hands, which my son took, were critical. The judge felt I should never have been refused disability with hands like mine and how it affected my ability to function. He granted back payments from the day I first applied.
Advocates are crucial. My husband, doctor and employer were all involved or I would have given up.

August 23
myRAteam

Getting approved for disability benefits with RA can feel like running a marathon with sore joints — slow and exhausting. While there's no guaranteed way to fast-track the process, being well-prepared can make a real difference. On average, it takes three to five months, though some people hear back much sooner.

Here are Show Full Answer

Getting approved for disability benefits with RA can feel like running a marathon with sore joints — slow and exhausting. While there's no guaranteed way to fast-track the process, being well-prepared can make a real difference. On average, it takes three to five months, though some people hear back much sooner.

Here are steps that can help move things along:

- Gather medical records early — Include X-rays, blood tests, MRI scans, and any RA-related test results
- Document everything — Keep a detailed list of all medications, past and present
- Show how RA affects daily life — Describe how symptoms impact cooking, cleaning, shopping, and your ability to work
- Hire a disability attorney — A specialist in disability law can significantly strengthen your case, especially during appeals
- Apply online if eligible — This can be faster than applying by phone or in person Don't be discouraged if denied the first time — only about 21% of applicants are approved initially. A myRAteam member shared that persistence paid off: "I got accepted after my second go. I got help from a free legal aid system."

Keep appealing and lean on support around you — it can make all the difference.

August 23

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