Dire Need

A dire need request is a request made to the Social Security Administration asking them to expedite the request for benefits because the claimant faces a crisis: a potential loss of a home, loss or utilities or a loss of medication. Experts suggest the dire need letter does little at the application and reconsideration levels because there are so many applicants facing a dire need, but the letter may help at the hearing level and could allow for the claim to be expedited while waiting for a hearing.

If you want to expedite your hearing you could write a dire need letter and send it to the proper ODAR hearing office. The letter should provide detail about your situation and outline your specific situation, including proof. If you have hired a disability lawyer or advocate they should be able to provide information about a dire need letter or another method to expedite the hearing called an on the record review.