Process

Those who have been denied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have the right to send the application for reconsideration, and, if it is denied again, to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It can take up to a year or more to get a hearing date, but the good news is that, according to the Social Security Administration nearly 50 percent of those who take their case to this level will be approved. It is imperative to be well-prepared for your ALJ hearing, particularly regarding medical evidence to support your claim for disability benefits.

If you have applied for Social Security Disability (sometimes known as Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI), and have been denied, don’t give up hope. You have options for appealing the SSDI denial—in fact, there are four appeal levels in the SSDI process. Unfortunately, many people decide to file a new application, rather than appealing their original denial. It is important to know that when you file a new application, it could also be denied, just like your first application and you could also lose out on past due benefits. In fact, according to https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2019/index.html a full two thirds of initial applications are denied, whether due to insufficient work credits, lack of a qualifying medical condition, or other factors.

Unfortunately for those who may desperately need disability benefits, the process for filing a disability claim with Social Security can be a lengthy process. Even more disheartening, during the initial application and reconsideration stages, many applicants will be denied.