How Often Should I Expect an Update About My SSDI Case From My Attorney?

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a long and often frustrating process. Months can pass without a decision or movement, and it’s natural to wonder what’s happening behind the scenes, especially if you haven’t heard from your attorney recently. Many applicants ask the same question: How often should my attorney be updating me about my disability case?

The answer depends on where your claim is in the process and what’s happening at that stage.

Disability Claims Often Have Long Periods of Silence

One of the hardest parts of an SSDI or SSI claim is that nothing appears to happen for long stretches of time. After an application or appeal is filed, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may take months to obtain records, review records, request information or schedule the next step.

During these waiting periods, there may be no meaningful updates to report. A lack of news doesn’t necessarily mean your attorney isn’t working on your case—it often means the SSA hasn’t moved yet. A good attorney is monitoring your cases’ status by ensuring that it is progressing. Oftentimes, attorneys will check with the SSA monthly for updates. For time efficiency, attorneys don’t always convey that information to the client unless there is substantive progress to report.

When You Should Expect Updates

While constant updates aren’t realistic, you should expect your attorney to communicate when something important happens. This typically includes:

Confirmation that your application or appeal has been filed
Notice of a denial or approval
Requests from the SSA for additional information
Scheduling of a consultative exam
Notice of a hearing date
Preparation discussions before a hearing
Updates after a hearing

These milestones are key moments when communication matters most.

Why Weekly Updates Aren’t Common

Unlike other legal cases, Social Security disability claims don’t involve daily negotiations or frequent court appearances. Much of the process involves waiting for SSA decisions.

Providing weekly updates when nothing has changed can create confusion or false expectations. Most disability attorneys focus on substantive communication, not routine check-ins with no new information. Because the SSA can take months to complete even a single step in a case, it is not uncommon to not get a substantive update for a few months at a time. This does not mean your attorney is doing nothing. It just means the ball is in the SSA’s court at the moment.

Your Attorney Is Still Working—Even When You Haven’t Heard Anything

Behind the scenes, your attorney may be:

Monitoring deadlines and appeal windows
Requesting updated medical records
Reviewing SSA notices
Preparing future hearing strategy
Evaluating new medical evidence
Contacting the SSA to check the status of their decision or hearing date

Much of this work doesn’t require immediate client communication but is still critical to the success of your claim.

When You Should Reach Out

That said, you should never feel ignored. It’s appropriate to contact your attorney if:

Your medical condition significantly worsens
You start or stop working
You receive mail from the SSA you don’t understand
You have questions about benefits, timing or next steps
A long time has passed and you’re unsure of your case status

Open communication works both ways. You should feel comfortable reaching out to your attorney on a monthly basis and getting a prompt response with an update. That update may simply be to report that nothing has changed, which can be frustrating. You should be concerned about the work your attorney is doing when they refuse to respond to you in a reasonable amount of time. Flooding their voicemail or inbox with multiple contacts a week is not productive. But, an occasional email or call to a diligent attorney should result in a response to address your questions.

What Good Communication Looks Like

A strong attorney-client relationship doesn’t mean constant contact, it means:

Clear explanations of what to expect
Reasonable response times to questions
Transparency about delays and risks
Advance preparation for critical steps

If expectations are set clearly from the beginning, long waits feel more manageable.

Red Flags to Watch

While silence alone isn’t a problem, it may be concerning if:

Calls or emails go unanswered for extended periods, especially weeks or months
You’re not informed of denials or deadlines
Deadlines are missed

In those situations, asking for clarification is appropriate.

The Reality of SSDI and SSI Cases

Social Security disability cases move very slowly, even when they’re handled properly. Communication often comes in waves, clustered around important developments rather than evenly spaced updates.

Understanding that rhythm can reduce stress and help you stay focused on your health and recovery while the process plays out.

What Should I Expect From My Attorney

You should expect updates from your attorney at critical stages of your SSDI or SSI case—but long periods without news are part of the disability process, not a sign that something is wrong. Clear expectations, timely responses and meaningful communication matter far more than frequent check-ins when nothing has changed. At the end of the day, you should always feel comfortable reaching out to your attorney, even monthly for a quick update if you want one.

The team at Black & Jones is here to support you throughout your Social Security disability case. Contact us today at (815) 967-9000 or fill out this form to schedule a free consultation.