My SSDI Benefits Were Denied After Reconsideration – What Now?
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be a stressful process for anyone, especially given that applicants are dealing with serious physical or mental disabilities while contending with the application process. Further, the application process through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be complicated, and it is easy for anyone to make an error in an application or to provide insufficient evidence to support their application. A large percentage of initial applications are denied, especially when the applicant does not work with an attorney. There are multiple stages of appeal, and the first stage is known as “reconsideration.” While being denied benefits after an initial application can be frustrating, being denied again after reconsideration can be panic-inducing for many disabled adults who are counting on these benefits.
It is important to know that there are additional stages of appeal after reconsideration. Even if you have not worked with an attorney up to this point, it is critical to have an experienced disability benefits lawyer on your side who routinely handles appeals for SSDI applicants and disabled adults. Our national SSDI lawyers can tell you more about appeals options, and we can speak with you today about the next steps for appealing your denial of benefits.
Initial Stage of Appeal: Requesting Reconsideration
If you have already been denied SSDI benefits, you likely have a clearer understanding than many people of the initial application stage and appeal options. However, our attorneys want to make sure you understand how the early stages work so that you have clear knowledge of how the appeals stages become increasingly more complicated and require assistance from a lawyer. Although you should seek legal help with all aspects of your SSDI application — even when initially applying — appeals after reconsideration truly are complex and anyone seeking benefits should get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.
With the initial application, a disabled adult provides information to the SSA about their medical condition that qualifies them for benefits, and about their work record that qualifies them for benefits (there are two components of the application — medical evidence and work history). When an initial application is denied, the first stage of appeal is to request reconsideration. The type of reconsideration you request will depend on the reason for denial: you will request either a medical (disability) reconsideration or a non-medical reconsideration. This is typically done online with a form, and it often seems relatively straightforward. However, the appeals process becomes significantly more complicated and stressful beyond reconsideration.
Appealing After Reconsideration
If you are denied SSDI benefits after requesting reconsideration, you still have options for appeal, but these are not done by submitting forms or materials online or through the mail. Instead, they involve appearing before a judge in a hearing or court case. These are the next stages of appeal:
- Hearing with Administrative Law Judge (ALJ);
- Review with the Appeals Council (if the ALJ does not decide in your favor); and
- Court case in federal district court (if the Appeals Council does not respond in your favor).
To be clear, you still have options for appeal, but it is more important than ever to have an experienced lawyer handling your case.
Contact a National SSDI Attorney Today
If you need assistance with any stage of the SSDI appeals process or initial application process, one of the experienced national SSDI benefits lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz is here to assist you. Contact us today.
Source:
ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made
