SSDI Appeal - What Next?

Receiving a denial letter after months of waiting to hear the results of a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim can be discouraging, especially when your personal finances are becoming increasingly uncertain. You may wonder whether an appeal is truly worthwhile or if it will reach the same exasperating outcome. Don't give up on the process out of frustration; about 40% of SSDI applicants are initially denied, but many of these claims are eventually approved. Applying for an appeal offers you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and build a stronger case the next time you have to defend your medical condition.

Educate Yourself on SSDI Requirements

The approval or denial of your SSDI application is often directly related to your personal understanding of the process. Minor errors on an application, such as vagueness or incomplete records, can limit the reviewer's ability to comprehend the extent to which an applicant is incapacitated by the disability. Consulting someone with an extensive knowledge of SSDI laws and requirements--such as a SSDI attorney--is one option for improving your understanding of the methods the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to assess applicants.

Review Your Information

You have 60 days following the denial to submit an application for an appeal. Use that time productively to review your first application in order to correct errors and adjust any information that may be incomplete. It is particularly helpful to look at the statements and clinical records written by your doctors. It is not uncommon for doctor's records to report that the patient is "doing well", "doing better" or "improving", which the SSA reviewer interprets as an indication that the condition has improved and/or is not disabling.

You should update your application with any recent medical attention you received, and make a note of any significant decline in health. If you decide to hire a SSDI attorney, he or she may contact your physician to explain the situation and obtain a statement that more accurately reflects your limitations.

SSDI Appeals Hearings

Completing paperwork for an appeal is a fairly simple process, but after your paperwork is submitted you will likely wait weeks, or even months, before a hearing date is set. A great deal of time may pass before you receive another notification from the SSA, but it is possible to have your hearing expedited if you can prove that there is "dire need."

Before awarding SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration must determine that your disability prevents you from continuing your current work or pursuing other types of employment. Try to evaluate your application from the point-of-view of a judge, and use those considerations to prepare for the hearing. Do not approach the situation with an exaggerated statement, but be careful not to downplay your disability either. A different reviewer or judge will evaluate the appeal, eliminating the chance of having your case compromised by personal bias.

While it may be upsetting when you first get that denial letter and face preparing for an appeal, working with an SSDI attorney can help explain the process to you, lessen your anxiety, and, most importantly, improve your chances for a successful outcome.