Social Security Disability is not always granted on the first time you apply. This money is important to your health and welfare and if you have a right to it, you shouldn’t have to face this kind of rejection. Unfortunately, because of the way the Social Security Administration works, it’s possible to have your application denied for a number of reasons or to be given fewer benefits than you believe you deserve.
If your application has been rejected, there are four different levels of appeals you may go through. First, you may go through a process of reconsideration. Second, if you don’t get the outcome you want, you may have to go through an administrative law judge hearing, also known as an ALJ. You will need to file for an ALJ hearing within 60 days of your reconsideration decision. If you don’t file in time, you may lose the option to appeal the SSA’s ruling.
The next possible way to appeal a ruling is to head to the appeals council for a review. After your ALJ hearing, you can file for the appeals council to look at your case. You must do this within 60 days as well. Your request may be denied if the appeals council agrees with the ruling of the ALJ.
If you still disagree with the ruling, then you can head to the Federal District Court for a review. This is the last possible way to file for an appeal to challenge the decision by the SSA. Your SSD decision will only be overturned if it can be proven that the SSA was unreasonable or made a decision that was not based on facts.
Source: FindLaw, “Basics of Social Security Disability Appeals” Oct. 16, 2014