If you have applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and been rejected, you may be concerned about what to do. Fortunately, there is an appeals process to review your application and potentially get you benefits you were initially denied. But what exactly is involved in an appeal for SSDI or SSI benefits?
What is an Appeal for an SSDI or SSI Application?
In simple terms, appealing an SSDI or SSI application means that you are looking to have your application reconsidered after it is rejected. You are effectively asking someone else to look over your application, with each step of the appeal involving a higher level of review by the relevant authorities. A successful appeal means that your application would then be accepted, and you would be able to receive SSDI or SSI benefits.
Why Might You Need to Appeal?
By far the most common reason that people wind up needing to appeal their SSDI or SSI application is due to simple paperwork errors, due to missing or incorrect information. There may also be a lack of medical evidence to prove the nature or extent of your disability. You might also be disqualified due to economic reasons, such as lacking enough work credits (for SSDI) or having too high of an income from gainful employment.
What is Involved in an Appeal?
There are four basic steps to appealing an SSDI or SSI application. The first step is simply requesting reconsideration, meaning a different agent reviews the application. If that fails, you can request a hearing before an administrative judge working for the Social Security Administration (SSA), and then request a review of the hearing by the Appeals Council if that fails. Beyond that, you can also seek a lawsuit in federal court, taking the appeal from inside the SSA to the court system beyond.
What Should You Do?
Ultimately, the question of whether or not to appeal an SSDI or SSI decision depends on your personal circumstances. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability applications like yours, who can advise you on your potential options. The sooner you call, the sooner they can begin working on your case.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
