Social Security Disability Appeals: Reconsideration, Hearing, Council, Court

Appeals are offered to Social Security disability and SSI claimants after all levels of decisions, save the last—the U.S. Supreme Court. Here are the various levels of appeal.

Reconsideration

The first appeal available to a disability claimant is the request for reconsideration ("recon" in Social Security lingo). If a claimant requests a reconsideration, a second disability claims examiner will take a look at the file and make a new decision.

A reconsideration must be requested within 60 days of the denial of an initial disability claim. You can request a reconsideration for either a medical denial or a technical denial.

Learn more about the reconsideration review.

ALJ Hearing

The second level of appeal available to a disability claimant is the hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). An "ALJ hearing" may be requested after the denial of a reconsideration (again, within 60 days from the date of the recon's denial). It can take anywhere from 9 months to 24 months for a hearing to be scheduled. You will receive a notice of hearing date 75 days before your hearing.

Learn more about the appeal hearing.

Appeals Council

The third appeal available to a disability claimant is a review by the Appeals Council of an ALJ's decision.

At the Appeals Council, a judge's decision may be reviewed for errors that are either technical in nature (for example, applying the wrong "age rules" to a claimant and denying their claim on that basis) or more substantial (such as failing to consider medical evidence that was available at the time of the hearing).

The Appeals Council has several options available to it:

• reversing a judge's decision and granting an approval
• remanding a case (that is, finding fault with a judge's decision and ordering that a second hearing be held)
• issuing another denial (the wording of this type of denial letter states "your request for review is denied"), or
• dismissing the case.

Most Appeals Council reviews are denied or dismissed, while about 10% are remanded back to the hearing level. Only 1% of cases are approved by the Appeals Council.

Learn more about the Appeals Council process.

Federal Court

The final level of appeal available to a disability claimant is a suit filed in federal court. This option can be utilized when a claimant's case has been denied by the Appeals Council.

For additional information regarding Social Security Disability appeals and SSI disability appeals, the following links may be helpful:

• How to Start an Appeal for Social Security Disability
• Denials and Appeals Overview
• Improving Your Chances of Winning an Appeal
• Preparing for Your Appeal Hearing