Appealing a denial of Social Security Disability Benefits

If you receive a notice of denial on your claim for social security disability or SSI benefits, you should, nine times out of ten, consider appealing the denial.

And here's why: if you are receive a denial on the initial claim (the application for disability) and choose to start over again with a new application, you will, mostly likely, receive another denial.

If, on the other hand, you start appealing, then you can eventually get your case in front of an administrative law judge at a disability hearing office where you have, statistically, about a one out of two chance of winning (individuals who are represented at a hearing have even a better chance of being awarded benefits).

Appealing a denial of social security disability benefits is almost always the wiser and more practical choice. The downside to appealing a denial, of course, is that appealing can take quite a long time. The first step in appealing a denial is the request for reconsideration and close to nine out of ten recons are turned down by the social security administration. However, the next step in appealing is the disability hearing. And, as we said, the odds improve substantially at that point.

If you are appealing your denial and have a hearing date scheduled, you are advised to find representation. Statistically, there is a significant difference in "win rates" between those who are represented at a hearing and those who do not have representation.

Is there ever a time when appealing a disability denial is not a good idea? Yes, and the next post will discuss this scenario.


Return to the Social Security Disability SSI Benefits Blog




Other Posts

Appealing a disability denial - how do you do it?
Tips on the process for appealing a social security disability denial
Appealing when you've received a denial for SSI disability
Appealing a denied disability claim - a checklist
The deadline for appealing on a social security disability claim
The chances of winning when appealing a social security disability denial
Appealing a denial when your condition is improving - should you?
Appealing social security disability or SSI - how many do not file an appeal?