Yes there is. I am the lead eligibility specialist for a organization that assists folks with applying and obtaining Social Security Disability benefits. (SSI and SSDI). I will briefly outline the process your application goes through then you can decide where you want to check:
Typically, an application for SSI is made either in person at your local SSA office -or- over the phone. Depending no which way he applied there might be some forms he would fill out sent by the local office (if he did it by phone) to turn back in with the enclosed envelope. if he did it in person, they already have the forms they need cause he would have signed them while he was there. After the application is completed, it goes to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) which is the people who make the MEDICAL decisions on the SSI claims. A disability examiner will assess the info, look at the records, request additional records, and most likely send your BF a "Function Report" (SSA-3373-BK) asking him questions about his daily living activities. Sometimes they also send you a letter asking him to attend a mental exam (if you claimed mental illness) or a physical exam (if he claimed physical disability) or BOTH. This is usually if they dont get sufficient records or the records dont clearly indicate the illness/injury is as bad as what you say it is, OR if the records they receive are not signed by an actual MD, DO, or Phd (they dont really like or accept nurse practitioners or counselors or physician asst.'s records if they treated him instead of a doctor). Once they gather what they like, the disability examiner at DDS will make a decision and forward it to their docs for review and if the docs sign off on it (another words, agree with the examiner's decision) it can either go straight back to your local SSA office where it originated -or- it can be picked up for "federal review" for quality assurance (some applications, after decision is made, get randomly selected for Q&A). In either case, it will eventually go back to your local office and a SSA representative will be assigned to the case and if its an "allowance" (APPROVED) they usually call and write a letter. They conduct what is called a "PERC" appointment, which basically means they have to verify his living situation is the same as when it was when he applied, address/ph # correct, and if he needs a "representative payee" (someone over his $) they will discuss that too. If it is DENIED, he has 60 days after the date on the denial letter to appeal it (called a "Reconsideration"). The letter will discuss how to do this. Easiest way is online at www.ssa.gov. The main SSA hotline is 1-800-772-1213. They can tell you the status and also if you received info from the Disability Examiner like discussed above you can always find their name, #, and extension on the cover letter of any correspondence they send you, that way you know who it is working on his case if it is still in the decision-making process. Hope this helps.