Appealing Your SSD Claim

Experienced Representation in Atlanta

If you have been denied SSD benefits, you have several opportunities to appeal your claim. The first appeal is called reconsideration and your request for it must be made within 60 days of the denial of your first application. A new individual within the SSA will make a review of your claim. There is an average waiting time of 3-5 months for the letter that either approves or denies your appeal. At any of the appeal steps, your chances for approval are greatly enhanced when you use an experienced Atlanta Social Security disability lawyer. He or she can help to evaluate your claim and determine the best way to present your appeal.

The second appeal is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Your request for this appeal must also be made within 60 days of being denied your first appeal. At the hearing you will be able to present evidence and witnesses for questioning and, you may be questioned by the judge. Our office provides a skilled and seasoned attorney to attend the hearing with you. We will also make sure you are fully prepared to answer any questions confidently that the ALJ may have for you. The entire hearing process can take 1 to 2 years to complete. As you can see, the entire process to obtain benefits can be very lengthy. There is another opportunity for appeal, as long as you request it within 60 days of a denial by the ALJ.

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The third appeal only averages a 3% approval rate. The average waiting time for this stage of the process is about 8 months. An Appeals Council will review the decision made at your hearing to establish if it was made according to the laws that govern this process. If your appeal is denied at this step, there is one, final appeal at the Federal level, but few people exercise this option.