Statistics show that your chances of obtaining benefits are better if your claim or appeal is handled by a professional with experience in SSDI and SSI claims and appeals.
1
What Appeals Are Available Following A Denial of Social Security Disability Benefits?
After your initial application for Social Security Disability Benefits is denied, and your application for reconsideration has also been rejected, the next step is a formal appeal of the denial. The appeal involves a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, who provides an independent review of the decision to deny benefits.
If the initial appeal is also denied, you can next appeal to the Social Security National Appeals Council in Washington, DC.
If that appeal also fails, you may file a lawsuit to try to obtain benefits. The lawsuit would be filed in federal court.
2
What Happens At The Administrative Hearing?
Your formal appeal will result in your case being scheduled for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The ALJ is an employee of the Social Security Administration. The ALJ makes an independent review of your application after a relatively informal hearing, and makes a decision on your claim.
The only people who are likely to be at the hearing are the ALJ, an administrative assistant who records the proceeding, the claimant (you), the claimaint's attorney (us), and any witnesses the claimaint has brought to the hearing. The ALJ may also call a medical or vocational expert to testify at the hearing. There is no "opposing counsel" at the hearing to claim that you don't qualify for benefits.
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