How to Appeal a Denial of Social Security Disability
The first thing you should know is that you need to move fast to appeal a denial.
Once You Receive a Denial Notice, You Have 60 Days to File Your Appeal.
Here’s what happens next:
- Ask for a Reconsideration: Your first step is asking for a fresh look by Social Security. You’ll need to update your medical evidence on file and send new information addressing the reasons you may have been denied.
- Get an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing: Reconsiderations usually still result in denials. The next step, talking live to a disability judge, may be a better option for you. It’s a chance to explain directly to a human being why you need benefits.
- Ask for an Appeals Council Opinion: If the judge still denies you, you can send a reviewing group at Social Security, called the Appeals Council, your reasons why the judge’s decision was wrong.
- Federal Court Lawsuit: Finally, you can file a request to overturn your disability denial with a U.S. District Court judge. You need an experienced lawyer for that. You can find one at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor.
The reality is that a large majority of people get denied when they apply for Social Security Disability.
Appealing a denial is common part of making a Social Security Disability claim.
To see where you stand, you can talk to our disability attorneys for an evaluation of your claim, at no cost to you.
How Does Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor Help Appeal a Denial?
When you’re appealing a denial with Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor, here’s what you’ll experience:
- You’ll work directly with a lawyer on your case. You won’t be hearing only from support staff.
- You’ll get the same lawyer throughout the process instead of being bounced to different people and having to explain your situation over and over.
- You’ll get Oregon attorneys who are familiar with Oregon Social Security offices and disability judges.
- Your lawyer will meet with you and help you prepare before your disability hearing with a judge.
- We’ll gather new medical evidence, file legal briefs, and plan your arguments before your hearing.
- We’ll prepare to question medical or vocational experts who may testify about you at your hearing.
- Most importantly, we’ll make sure you’ve got someone supporting you through this process.
Statistics show that your chances of winning benefits go up when you have a disability lawyer. The U.S. Government Accountability Office studied disability hearings and found that people were nearly three times more likely to get a favorable decision from a judge if they had a representative with them.
You don’t have to risk much by getting a lawyer, either, because THERE’S NO ATTORNEY FEE UNLESS YOU WIN.
Our attorneys chose this work because we love meeting people, learning about you, and helping you tell your story. And if you’re denied disability, we fight for you to have a better financial future.
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you’re trying to determine if you’re qualified for disability benefits, you need help filing your application, or you received a denial notice and want another chance, our law firm helps from the beginning and stays by your side.
Have a Question about Disability Benefits?
Your health is bad. You can’t work. Your financial stability is threatened. So your head is swimming with questions. How will you get by? How does Social Security Disability work? We’ve gathered answers. See them here:
Disability FAQs »
Hear from a Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor Client
“They work hard for people who struggle because of mental and physical abilities. Highly recommend . . . I got the call I was awarded benefits. . . . When he called me I was so happy I was crying. . . . Thank you so much for giving me hope when I lost it. Thank you for fighting so hard.”
