How long will this process take?

Initial level decisions take, on average, 12+ months.  Reconsideration level decisions also average 12+ months.  It then takes an average of 6-12 months, depending on the region, for a hearing to be scheduled from the time the hearing is requested.  If denied at hearing and you appeal to the Appeals Council (AC), it can take 12+ months to get a decision from the AC.