how do a lawyer file a appeal for you social security

by Kim VonRueden 7 min read

If you disagree with the judge’s decision, you (or your representative) may request an appeal by writing to us requesting an Appeals Council review, or by completing a Form HA–520 (Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order). Go to www.ssa.gov to complete an online request for Appeals Council review. We can help you complete this form.

Go to www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.html to complete an online request for a hearing. If needed, we can help you complete this form. You or your representative must request a hearing within 60 days after you get the notice of reconsideration determination (or, in rare cases, the initial determination).

Full Answer

How to dispute SSI overpayment?

May 05, 2020 · You can do this online or through the mail. During your appeal, the Social Security office lets a different examiner review your application. If this examiner determines that the first reviewer made a mistake, they approve your appeal. Applications denied in this step must apply for a disability hearing to argue their case in front of a judge.

How to fill out form ssa-561?

May 14, 2019 · The experienced attorneys at Thurswell Law can examine your situation and determine if you are eligible to file an appeal. If so, our legal team can assist you with every step of the appeal filing process, up through the date of your appeal hearing. To schedule a free consultation or case evaluation with a Michigan Social Security disability lawyer, please call us …

How to appeal a SSI denial?

According to the SSA website, the first step in an appeal for Social Security Disability Insurance is known as reconsideration. Reconsideration involves a complete review of your file by another individual that was not a part of the first determination cycle.

How to appeal a Social Security benefits decision?

You can find these forms on the SSA website or by stopping in to your local Social Security office. Write an Appeals Letter . The Social Security forms for appealing a decision give you only a few lines to write your explanation on why you think the decision was wrong, but you should feel free to write the phrase "see attached page" on the form and submit a letter along with the form that …

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What is a Social Security reconsideration?

If we recently denied your disability claim for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online. A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first determination. We will look at all the evidence submitted used in the original determination, plus any new evidence.

How long does a Social Security reconsideration take?

between three to five monthsOn average, it will take between three to five months to complete the Social Security Disability reconsideration process and receive this letter of decision. Here are some tips on how you can get your reconsideration request approved.

Who makes the final decision on Social Security disability?

An applicant can receive payments for up to 6 months while the Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews the claim and makes the final decision.

How do you win SSI reconsideration?

7 Tips for How to Win a Disability Reconsideration AppealFile a Timely Appeal. ... Submit the Right Paperwork. ... Draft an Effective Appeals Letter. ... Provide Additional Medical Evidence. ... Be Honest and Transparent. ... Get a Written Opinion From Your Doctor. ... Hire a Reliable Attorney.Sep 20, 2021

What happens if your reconsideration is denied?

If you are denied at the reconsideration, you can ask the SSA for a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). This request needs to be in writing within 60 days of your reconsideration notification by filling out the form online, printing and mailing them, or by writing a letter stating your desire for a hearing.

What is difference between appeal and reconsideration?

A claim reconsideration allows providers dissatisfied with a claims outcome/denial to request an additional review. Reconsiderations must be requested and completed before filing a formal appeal. For adjudicated claims to be reconsidered, provide adequate supporting documentation.

Can a decision by the ALJ be overturned?

ALJ decisions are not binding legal precedent. Courts or federal agencies can overturn their decisions under certain circumstances such as where those decisions are unsupported by substantial evidence in the record.Nov 5, 2020

What should you not say in a disability interview?

Do not say things like, “I want to work” or “If I could work, I would.” By saying such statements, a judge may get the picture that you could possibly work. The point is that there are some people with extreme disabilities who do work but this is not the point that you should be making at your hearing.

What percentage of SSDI is reconsideration approved?

The reconsideration approval rate in California is 11. 5, which again is slightly above the average national approval rate of 11.0 percent. For disability applicants, the reconsideration appeal is just a necessary step toward a disability hearing.

How do I write a Social Security appeal letter?

Writing the Disability Appeal LetterIndicate Your Name and Claim Number at the Top. ... Point Out Any Mistakes or Oversights. ... Supply Missing Medical Information. ... Attach Medical Records or Any Additional Evidence. ... Stick to the Point. ... Be as Detailed as Possible. ... Be Polite and Professional.May 5, 2020

What questions do administrative law judges ask?

The administrative law judge will likely ask you for your name, Social Security number, age, mailing address, height and weight. After that, you should be prepared to answer questions such as: What is your formal education? Do you have any vocational training?

How do I get a Social Security denial letter?

If you applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits and were denied for medical reasons, you may request an appeal online. If you do not wish to appeal a medical decision online, you can use the Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration.

How long does it take to appeal SSI?

The notice will tell you how to appeal. If you file an appeal within 10 days of the date you receive your notice, your SSI benefits may continue at the same amount until we make a determination on your appeal. The notice will tell you if you are entitled to continued benefits.

How long does it take to file an appeal in the US?

You must file an action in U.S. District Court within 60 days after you receive the notice of Appeals Council action. We consider that you receive notice of the Appeals Council action 5 days after the date on the notice. The U.S. District Court will review the evidence and the final Agency decision.

What are the levels of appeal?

The levels of appeal are: Reconsideration; Hearing; Appeals Council Review; and. Federal Court.

What happens if you don't attend a hearing?

If you do not attend the scheduled hearing, you may lose your appeal rights and benefits. We may pay you for travel costs if the distance to the hearing from your home is more than 75 miles one way. If you need money for reasonable and necessary travel costs, tell the judge as soon as possible before the hearing.

How long does it take to get a hearing decision?

We consider that you receive the hearing decision 5 days after the date on the hearing decision. The Appeals Council will examine your case and will grant, deny, or dismiss your request for review.

What to do if the appeals council denies your request for review of a judge's decision?

If the Appeals Council issues a decision or denies your request for review of a judge’s decision, and you disagree with the action of the Appeals Council, you may file a civil action with the U.S. District Court in your area. We cannot help you file a court action. You may want to contact a lawyer or a legal aid group to help you.

Can you appeal SSI?

You can appeal most determinations and decisions we make about whether you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or if we make changes to your benefit amount. That means you can ask us to look at your case again.

What to do if the SSA denies your appeal?

If the SSA denies your reconsideration appeal, you must request a hearing with one of their official hearing offices. The SSA then sends your case to the office serving your area and sets up a hearing date.

How long do you have to appeal a disability claim?

If the SSA denies your initial application for benefits, you need to submit an appeal 60 days after your denial. You can do this online or through the mail. During your appeal, the Social Security office lets a different examiner review your application. If this examiner determines that the first reviewer made a mistake, they approve your appeal. Applications denied in this step must apply for a disability hearing to argue their case in front of a judge.

What to expect at a disability hearing?

Questions to Expect During Your Disability Hearing. The disability hearing usually intimidates claimants, especially if they decide to represent themselves. At your hearing, the judge will hear testimony from a vocational expert (VE) hired by the SSA.

How long does it take to get a disability hearing?

Usually, this part of the disability benefits application process takes the longest. Some claimants must wait upwards of two years in some states to get a hearing.

What to do if your Social Security claim is denied?

If your claim gets denied by the judge during your hearing, you can request a review from the Social Security Appeals Council. The council reviews your case to see if the judge decided your case correctly. If they decide to review your claim, they either make a final decision or send it to another judge for review. After this review, if the SSAC denies your claim, you have the option to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. However, very few claims ever make it this far.

What is another piece of evidence that helps improve your claim?

Another piece of evidence that helps improve your claim is a written statement from your doctor. If you have issues obtaining notes from your original doctors, you should try to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Eligibility for SSDI Benefits

One of the main reasons why Social Security disability applications are denied is because the applicant is simply not eligible for benefits. One reason why a person might not be eligible is that the disability is not serious enough or does not preclude him or her from working. This inquiry is extremely fact-sensitive.

Reasons for Not Qualifying

In some instances, an applicant may not, in fact, qualify for SSDI benefits. Those instances could include:

Social Security Disability Appeals

The denial of a claim for Social Security disability can be especially heartbreaking. Fortunately, however, you have 60 days from the date of your initial denial to file your appeal. If you do not file your appeal within that 60-day time period, the Social Security Administration could deny your appeal because of the late filing.

Reach out to an Experienced Michigan Social Security Disability Attorney Today

If you have been denied social security disability benefits, the clock is ticking on the time you have to file an appeal with the Social Security Administration. The experienced attorneys at Thurswell Law can examine your situation and determine if you are eligible to file an appeal.

What is the Difference between Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance?

The SSA administers Supplemental Security Income benefits, but doesn’t fund them. The benefits are rather dispensed from the general U.S. Treasury and are federal welfare designed to monetarily assist an elderly population age 65 and above or recipients who are blind or otherwise disabled.

What Is The First Step In Filing An Appeal For Social Security Disability Insurance?

If you receive a denial notification for your social security disability claim, not all hope is lost. According to the SSA website, the first step in an appeal for Social Security Disability Insurance is known as reconsideration.

What Are Subsequent Steps Involved In Filing An Appeal If My Reconsideration Is Denied?

The next step in the appeals process is requesting a review by an administrative law judge. Again, this judge will not have had a hand in any part of the original application and denial or reconsideration and denial.

How Long Does an Appeal Take?

An appeal for social security disability can take anywhere from months to years, depending on how far a person needs to take their claim through the process.

Will Benefits Continue During the Appeals Process?

According to the Social Security Administration, benefits will not continue during the appeals process, unless the claimant requests continuation and the claim meets certain criteria.

Get Help With Your Social Security Disability Benefits Application

If you plan to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits or your application was denied, you may be eligible for a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Fill out the form on this page for a free case evaluation.

Who can help with disability appeals?

The disability appeals process can be a complicated and confusing maze. You have the right to hire someone -- either a disability lawyer or a nonlawyer representative -- to help you with your claim and appeal, and it is common for people to do that.

How long do you have to appeal a decision?

Request Appeal on Time. After every decision, you have only 60 days to submit your appeal in writing. If you wait more than 60 days to request an appeal, your appeal will probably be dismissed.

What happens if you get denied Social Security?

If your application for Social Security disability was denied, you still have a good chance of being approved for benefits through the appeals process. Here are some important things to be mindful of.

The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Social Security Disability Appeal

It is best to hire an attorney before you file your SSD claim. By getting your application right the first time, an attorney can help you increase your chances of initial approval and decrease the amount of time it might take to receive a determination.

The Cost of Hiring a Social Security Disability Appeal Lawyer

The number one reason why SSD applicants do not hire a Social Security Disability appeal lawyer is financial. Although it is logical that if you’re already struggling to make ends meet without a steady income, you may not be able to afford to pay for professional legal counsel, it is not usually accurate.

The Social Security Disability Appeals Process: Reconsideration

Waiting to find out if your SSD application is approved can make for a long and stressful several months. Finally getting your reply, only to learn that you are among the up to 70 percent of applicants that the SSD initially denies, can feel like a massive defeat.

The Social Security Disability Appeals Process: ALJ Hearing

After the Disability Determination Services agency completes its review of your reconsideration request, the SSA will issue a written decision on reconsideration. If your claim is once again denied, your attorney will formally request an administrative hearing.

The Social Security Disability Appeals Process: Appeals Council

If the ALJ denies your claim based on the hearing, your next option is to appeal to the Appeals Council (AC). This is done by filing a Request for Review of Hearing Decision (HA-520). The focus of the AC is to review the decision made by the ALJ to determine if they committed substantial errors.

The Social Security Disability Appeals Process: Federal District Court

The last avenue to get your SSD approved is at Federal District Court. Within 60 days of receiving the decision of the AC, you or your SSD lawyer must file a complaint. At the Federal court level, you cannot submit additional evidence, there is no trial, and the court simply looks at whether the ALJ made a mistake or not.

Get Help with Your Social Security Disability Appeal

While the best outcomes occur when SSD applicants hire an attorney before they submit their SSD application, all hope is not lost if you hire one during the appeals process. Having an attorney on your side at this step can still help increase your chances of success. Our lawyers are here to help every step of the way.

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Appeals Process

How to Appeal Social Security Determinations and Decisions

Initial Determination

  • We call the determinations we make that you can appeal “initial determinations”. These determinations are SSA’s written findings regarding any legal or factual issue, including but are not limited to: After you file an application for SSI, we will mail you a written initial determination. This is your first “initial determination”, but each time we make a determination about your eligibi…
See more on ssa.gov

Reconsideration

  • If you disagree with the initial determination, you may request reconsideration by writing to us or by completing a Form SSA‑561-U2 (Request for Reconsideration) or a Form SSA-789 (Request for Reconsideration - Disability Cessation). Go to www.ssa.govto complete an online request for a reconsideration on a disability claim or non-disability issue. You or your representative must ask …
See more on ssa.gov

Hearing

  • If you disagree with the reconsideration determination, you or your representative may request a hearing before a judge by writing to us or by completing a Form HA–501 (Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge). Go to www.ssa.govto complete an online request for a hearing. If needed, we can help you complete this form. You or your representative must request a hearing …
See more on ssa.gov

Appeals Council

  • If you disagree with the judge’s decision, you (or your representative) may request an appeal by writing to us requesting an Appeals Council review, or by completing a Form HA–520 (Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order). Go to www.ssa.govto co...
See more on ssa.gov

Federal Court

  • If the Appeals Council issues a decision or denies your request for review of a judge’s decision, and you disagree with the action of the Appeals Council, you may file a civil action with the U.S. District Court in your area. We cannot help you file a court action. You may want to contact a lawyer or a legal aid group to help you. You must file an action in U.S. District Court within 60 da…
See more on ssa.gov