SSDRC




Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?


 
If your initial Social Security disability claim is denied, you must contact the Social Security Administration and file an appeal. You must file your appeal within the appeals period (you have sixty days from the date of your last denial to file a disability appeal); if you are late you may have to start the disability process again with a new claim.

Once you have filed your appeal, your disability claim will go back to the state disability agency (in many states, this agency is known as DDS) for another decision with a different disability examiner.

However, do not be discouraged if you do not receive an approval. Even though the claim has a different decision maker on the appeal, the fact is that the rules for processing the disability claim remain the same. This makes it likely that the first appeal you file (known as a request for reconsideration) will be denied. In fact, in many states eight or nine out of ten reconsiderations are denied.

If your reconsideration is denied, you must file a hearings request with the Social Security Administration. This appeal is formally known as a request for hearing before an administrative law judge. Administrative law judges hold hearings at which claimants and their disability attorneys may appear. This is very unlike the application level or the reconsideration level in which the claimant never gets to see the decision maker for their SSD or SSI case.

Disability judges, i.e. administrative law judges, are allowed to take more factors into consideration while making their decisions and they are not bound by the strict rules and regulations that the state disability agency uses. What does this mean? It means more disability claim approvals. For example, while only about a third of all disability applications are approved at the first step in the process, disability judges typically approve more than half of all cases heard by them. And this percentage is even higher for claimants who go to hearings with attorneys.














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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers












    Individual Questions and Answers


  • Why is it Taking so Long to get a Court Date with the ALJ, the Social Security Disability Judge?

  • Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal ?

  • When Are You Allowed To Ask For A Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?

  • The SSD, Social Security Disability Date of Application

  • If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?

  • How Long Does Your Attorney Have To File Your Social Security Disability Appeal?

  • How do you appeal your denial for disability?

  • Will you be notified if you receive an Approval for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • The Social Security Disability Medical Review

  • How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

  • The Social Security Disability Decision and Your Ability to Work

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Mental Disability Benefits and What Social Security will Consider

  • How to File for SSI

  • How much time does it take to get an SSI Decision?

  • Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

  • Glaucoma, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • Social Security Disability Medical Evaluation Form, Can A Doctor Be Forced to Complete One?

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?














    Special Sections


  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • How to Qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Medical Examinations for Disability Claims

  • The Decision Process and what gets considered

  • Social Security Disability Questions







    Return to Social Security Disability Resource Center


    Or click to one of the following:


    Return to -- Social Security Appeals Time Limit

    Return to -- Can I Talk To the Disability Examiner Working On My Case?

    Return to -- What Expenses Will A Social Security Attorney Charge In Addition To The Fee?

    Return to -- Do Most People Need To See A Judge To Get Disability Benefits From Social Security?

    Return to -- Social Security Disability Lawyers and 25% Back Pay

    Return to -- Will Social Security Attempt To Get A Letter From Your Doctor To Help Your Case?

    Return to -- What Is The Difference In SSD and SSI?

    Return to -- How is Social Security Disability and SSI Awarded?

    Return to -- Will my children get benefits if I get approved for disability?

    Return to -- Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Call Back From The Social Security Office?

    Return to -- Does Being Represented On A Disability Claim Win The Case Faster?

    Return to -- Applying for Disability according to state of residence

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI Blog ,

    Return to -- Social Security Disability and Money in the Bank

    Return to -- How long do you have To Be Out Of Work Before You Get Social Security Disability (SSD)?

    Return to -- The first appeal in a social security disability or SSI case

    Return to -- Using a Lawyer for an SSDI Disability Case

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI, Medical and Mental Conditions and Problems

    Return to -- Disability Lawyers - Questions about Hiring a Disability Attorney

    Return to -- Disability Lawyers in Various States