The Social Security Appeals Process

Many Social Security Claims and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claims are refused on initial consideration. After a Social Security Claim has been refused, and you receive a letter explaining the decision you can ask to have your case reviewed again on appeal.

These appeals must be made in writing within 60 days from the date the letter is recieved (assumed to be 5 days after the date on the letter) Your decision letter should include information on how to appeal the decision.

Generally, there are four levels of appeal. They are:

Reconsideration

Hearing by an administrative law judge;

Review by the Appeals Council; and

Federal Court review.

We will go into more detail on each level of appeal in further posts. This information is current as of March 3, 2011. For more information, contact an attorney or go to the Social Security Website (http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10041.html)