An Initial claim for social security disability is filed at the local Social Security Office (the SSD or SSI disability application can be initiated over the phone, by walking into a local social security field office, or even online).
Sometime later, usually several months later, the case is denied and the claimant is sent a denial letter (social security claims reps--the individuals who take disability applications--will typically tell claimants that they should expect a decision in 90-120 days; however, deadlines do not exist for SSI and social security disability claims so a decision can take one month or several months).
At this point, a disability applicant has three options:
- Give up (Generally a bad idea)
- File a brand new social security claim (Also a bad idea), or
- Appeal the denial
It's always best to appeal by requesting itwithin the 60 day deadline and, after the appeal forms are received, completing the appeal forms out and returning them to social security promptly.
