Social Security Disability Decision Process

The social security disability process is fairly convoluted, not to mention complex. However, it can be broken down into very distinct and separate aspects.

Essentially, there are two aspects of the social security disability and SSI system that a person who is filing for benefits will have to deal with: The application process and the appeal process.

Obviously, everyone who files for benefits will have to deal with the application process. How many individuals will have to deal with the appeal process? Only thirty percent of all SSDI (social security disability insurance) and SSI claims are approved at the application level. This means that potentially seventy percent of all claimants will have to file appeals.

However, not everyone files appeals. It is distressing to hear, but a large percentage of applicants simply give up on the process after they have been denied on their claims. Should you ever give up? Absolutely not. The fact of the matter is that claimants who file appeals have a statistically significant chance of winning benefits if they pursue a claim as far as the disability hearing level.

The following pages provide information on A) social security disability applications, B) social security disability appeals and C) the social security disability decision process.

Applications

Application for Social Security Disability
How to apply for Disability
Should you apply for disability online?
Does social security deny you the first time you apply for disability?
Reasons to apply for disability
Are you allowed to work while you apply for disability?/a>


The disability process

How long is the social security disability process?
An overview of the social security disability and SSI process
The disability determination process used for social security disability and SSI
Why is the social security disability process so long?


Disability Appeals

The appeals process for social security disability and SSI claims
Levels of the social security disability appeals system
How long do social security disability appeals take?
How do you start a disability appeal?
social security disability award letter
social security disability award letter