Statistically, around seventy percent of Social Security disability claims are rejected at the initial application level. Upon receipt of a denial letter, you have the option of filing an appeal of the decision. Filing a timely, effective and complete appeal is crucial. When the Social Security Administration rejects your claim, the agency will also mention the reasons for the denial, as well as the kind of appeal you need to file. There are different types of appeals that can be filed when your claim has been denied.
At the very basic level, you can ask for a reconsideration of your appeal based on the medical evidence you have provided. If you believe that your claim has been denied for reasons not related to your medical condition, you can ask for reconsideration of the decision based on non-medical reasons. In both of these cases, your file will be reviewed by an officer who was not involved in the earlier decision made in your case.
If you disagree with the decision by the officer reviewing your case, you can apply for a hearing before an administrative law judge. You are making a request for your case to be heard before a judge who will then deliver a decision based on the evidence you have provided in the hearing. A hearing can be conducted in – person or on video. A video- based appeal hearing is just as valid as an in – person hearing. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all live hearings have been suspended. Hearings currently take place by telephone or video.
If you receive a negative decision after the hearing, you also have the option of requesting a review by an appeals council.