Over 60% of Initial Social Security Disability Benefits Applications are Denied
Posted on:6/10/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| In most states, the next step after being initially denied Social Security Disability Benefits, 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. |
Are you one of the over 60% of Social Security Disability Benefits applicants who've been denied? In most states, the next step after being initially denied 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. After denial of the claim at the Reconsideration level, you must request a hearing. This would be a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. 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.