Someone applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is likely already in a difficult position financially. After all, SSDI benefits are for those with long-term medical issues that prevent them from engaging in any consistent form of gainful employment.
If someone’s medical condition is severe enough that they believe they qualify, they have likely been unable to work for some time and are still too young to make use of their retirement savings or benefits without incurring major penalties for doing so before reaching retirement age.
SSDI benefits are a crucial financial safety net for working adults who suddenly find themselves unable to continue their employment because of lasting medical issues. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of those that apply for SSDI benefits get rejected, at least initially. If you received a negative response to your benefits application, can you appeal that decision?
Yes, there are multiple types of appeals available
The Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects many applicants, and some of those rejected applicants eventually get benefits thanks to the appeals process. Applicants who believe that the SSA made an error or who made a mistake in the paperwork themselves can appeal and eventually get benefits.
The first stage of appeal is reconsideration, and it involves a worker for the SSA who did not play a role in the prior consideration of your application reviewing it, along with any corrections you may have made and any supplementary medical documentation you have since submitted.
If reconsideration is not successful, then an applicant will have the option of seeking a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Most applicants will only pursue one of these two stages of appeal, but there are additional levels of appeal available if a judge does not rule in an applicant’s favor.
The appeals process requires proper support
Navigating an SSDI application without help may largely be the reason that you have to appeal in the first place. Trying to handle the appeal without support might mean that you fail or must endure a much longer weight to get the benefits you require.
Bringing in the right help will increase your chance of success when appealing a decision about SSDI benefits.
