From filing the initial application through having a hearing and getting a decision from a judge it can take up to a year and a half or longer. The Social Security Administration will issue an initial decision within 90-120 days of filing your application. If denied, a request for hearing will be filed and it can then take 13-14 months to get a hearing date. Typically it will take the judge another 30-90 days to issue a written decision. The entire process can range anywhere from 18 months to two years.