Social Security Disability Appeals Process

Learn More from our Detroit SSD Attorneys!

Did you know that only roughly 30 percent of all Social Security Disability claims are accepted after the first application? The Social Security Administration receives hundreds of thousands of applications in a year, and it’s usually a wait of several months before most people hear back, only to find out their initial application has been denied. When this is the case but you still need Social Security benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Detroit social security disability lawyer from Goodman Acker, P.C. for assistance with the long and often-complicated appeals process!

At Goodman Acker, P.C. we understand how important your claim is to you, and that’s why we make sure that you are in charge of your case. We listen to you and how your condition has affected your life, and we put our years of experience and extensive record of success to fight for your best interests. We know how stressful it can be trying to cope with a denied claim, and that’s why we help our clients through every step or obstacle they face on their journey. Whether you’re simply petitioning for reconsideration or taking your case to a full trial, we’ll be there with you every step of the way.

The SSD Appeals Process

There are four different stages you can take your appeal to, each one consisting of another opportunity for your claim to be accepted. We’ll discuss them in just brief detail here.

Reconsideration

Reconsideration is a simple petition to the Social Security Administration asking for them to re-evaluate your case and determine if the initial decision was correct. Generally, this is done by a different evaluator, and takes anywhere from three to five months to complete. Less than 15 percent of all cases submitted to this process are approved through this process.

Hearing

The hearing is the second step in the appeal process. When your reconsideration request is denied, you’ll have 60 days to ask the SSA for a hearing, at which point you’ll plead your case before an administrative law judge. The judge will either accept your claim, send your case back for review, or deny your claim once again. This stage can take upwards of two years to finish, but the effort may be worth it: 63 percent of all cases are decided in favor of the applicant at this point.

Appeals Council

The appeals council is the next step if you don’t agree with your administrative law judge’s decision. The appeals council takes a look at these cases and can decide whether to accept it, send it for further review, or deny the claim further. This process takes between six months to a year and less than two percent of all cases are won at this point.

Federal District Court

Finally, if your case still hasn’t been accepted, you can bring your case for review before a Federal District Court. This is the last chance your claim has of being accepted, and the court may either accept your claim, deny it, or send it for review. Roughly 30 percent of all cases that reach this point are decided in favor of the appellant.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]