You send money to the Social Security Administration (SSA) every week from your paycheck. Typically, people make use of those contributions later in life when they claim retirement benefits to augment their pension or retirement savings.
However, some people need financial support before they are old enough to retire. Those who suffer major injuries or who develop debilitating medical conditions, like multiple sclerosis or cancer, may require Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Unfortunately, many applicants get rejected instead of approved when they first apply.
Learning that you won’t receive benefits can cause strong negative emotions like fear and anger. It can be hard to know how to react when your last resort falls through. Can you appeal after the SSA rejects your claim?
Yes, SSDI appeals are permissible and quite common
SSA has a well-earned reputation for rejecting even qualified applicants. People with severely disabling conditions sometimes get rejected for paperwork technicalities or issues with their medical records. Thankfully, there are multiple stages of appeal possible for those who need SSDI to cover their basic cost-of-living expenses.
The first kind of appeal involves an internal reconsideration. A different worker from the Disability Determination Services (DDS) can review your application and decide if your rejection was unfair. If that doesn’t work, then you can attend an appeal hearing where an administrative law judge reviews your application and other medical evidence to decide if you qualify for benefits.
Even after an unsuccessful hearing, you can pursue additional levels of appeal. While you may have handled your initial application on your own, that may have contributed to its rejection. Getting help could make all the difference when you need to file an appeal for your SSDI benefits.
