Filing a new disability application with Social Security   A disability claimant who has been denied on a disability claim with social security should appeal the disability denial instead of filing a new claim. Why should you do this? Because cases that are adjudicated (decided) at the level of the state disability agency (depending on where you live, this agency will be known as disability determination services, the bureau of disability determination, or something similar to either of these) tend to have less of a chance of being approved than cases that are decided by a disability judge at a hearing. In fact, there is a substantial statistical differences between approval rates on cases handled by disability examiners (examiners decide cases at the initial claim level and reconsideration level) and cases handled by administrative law judges. Therefore, for this reason, it will be in a claimant's best interests to get their case heard by a disability judge. However, this can't happen until a claimant A. has been denied on a disability application, B. has filed a request for reconsideration, C. has been denied on a reconsideration, D. has requested a disability hearing, and, finally, E. has managed to get to a disability hearing after many months of waiting. Filing a new disability application every time a denial on a Social Security Disability or SSI claim has been received, of course, interrupts a claimant's progression through the disability appeal process. Are there situations in which you should actually start a new application instead of appealing. Yes, if you applied for disability but received a technical denial (for example, a denial in which you were immediately denied because you were still working and earning too much to be considered for disability, meaning that your medical records were never requested), then it would make little sense to file a disability appeal. However, in nearly every other scenario, the best course of action will be to file an appeal. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: How to file for disability in New Jersey NJ Filing for disability with HIV Winning a disability case for a child Appealing a disability denial by a judge Different types of Social Security Disability denials Social Security Attorneys and Disability Representatives Disability lawyers - basic questions for Social Security help Social Security Disability benefits for stroke Basic Facts about the Administrative Law Judge Social Security Disability Hearing Temporary Social Security Disability SSI Filing for retroactive disability benefits Can I qualify for SSI benefits due to having angina? Social Security Disability Approval and Denial Rates Social Security Disability SSI reviews What does Social Security Disability SSI pay, how much?