To win Disability benefits, you may have to appeal a denialThis title of this post would seem obvious. However, a significant percentage of applicants for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits do not appeal their claim after they have have received a notice of denial. As a disability examiner working on SSD and SSI claims at disability determination services (the agency that makes disability claim decisions for the social security administration), I was able to see, firsthand, that an astonishing number of cases are turned down and are never appealed. What happens to those cases? They generally fall into one of the following categories. 1. The applicant is denied for disability benefits and then gives up entirely. 2. The applicant decides to do nothing after they receive their notice of denial, basically allowing their appeal period to expire (the appeal period is sixty days from the date of the denial). In some cases, those same individuals decide that this was a bad move on their part and later decide to revisit their case. However, at that point, they learn that their claim is effectively dead in the water and that they must start fresh with a brand new claim...which includes having to go through another disability application interview, filing out the forms for a new claim, possibly being sent to consultative medical exams once again, and having to wait weeks or months to receive another decision. 3. The applicant decides "to appeal" but somehow proceeds from the mistaken assumption that starting a new disability application is the same thing as filing an appeal. As a disability examiner, I saw this phenomenon occur thousands of times. Why does it happen? I frankly do not know. It may be that many individuals simply do not understand that they are allowed to appeal a denial of a claim. Others may not understand that appealing is far more beneficial than starting a new claim because it dramatically improves the chances of being approved for benefits. And others...may actually think that when they are initiating a new claim, they are doing the same thing as appealing. And this is absolutely not the case. Individuals who receive a notice of denial and then pass up the chance to file an appeal, instead choosing to start a new disability application will simply get denied again. On the other hand, individuals who decide to utilize the appeals process will eventually get their case heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ) at a hearing and will probably be approvedn -- even more likely if they are represented by someone who has done the proper preparation on their case and effectively presents their claim before the ALJ (administrative law judge). continued at: Receiving a notice of denial on a disability case 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 long do I have to be off work before I can apply for disability in North Carolina? How can I win Social Security Disability benefits? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? What kind of cases win disability benefits? How Likely are You to Win Your Disability Case? Winning a Social Security Disability Appeal or SSI Appeal What Will a Disability Lawyer Do to Win a Social Security Case? What are the chances of winning a Social Security Disability Benefits hearing? Preparing for a Disability Hearing to Win Social Security or SSI Benefits If I get approved for disability on the second application Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders Can I get disability with anxiety, IBS, asthma, migraines, OCD, bad vision, and depression? What medical conditions get you approved for disability? Social Security Disability qualifications How to claim disability benefits How to file a disability appeal in New Jersey If you apply for disability in in New Jersey |
