SSI Associates Denial Assistance for Social Security Disability Claims
The first thing you should know is that most people are turned down at the application stage.
This does not mean you should stsop and give up.
Request For Reconsideration - Disability Appeal Process
In most states, the next step is to appeal through a document called a Request For Reconsideration. This appeal must be filed within 60 days of the date of the application denial. Reconsideration is done by the same state agency that denied the application so the odds are that the application will be denied again. The Reconsideration decision is usually issued within approximately 90 days.
Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge
After denial of the claim at the Reconsideration level, you must request a hearing. At this point the claim leaves the State agency level and is handled by the Social Security Administration. The hearing is held before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
The Administrative Law Judge is not bound by the prior decisions. The wait-time for a hearing depends on the office and ranges from 6 months to, unfortunately, more than 2 years. Prior to your hearing you can and should submit new or updated medical evidence. A social security disability attorney can help gather and refine the evidence you will need.
Attorneys and Disability Laws and Regulations
You should also be aware that the laws and regulations that govern Social Security disability (SSDI and SSI Disability) are extremely complex. It is never enough to simply show that you can’t perform your old job. The simple fact is that people that are represented by attorneys during the process are approved at a much higher rate than folks who go it alone. For these reasons you should strongly consider retaining an experienced social security disability lawyer to assist you. Click for a free evaluation of your Social Security disability benefits case.
