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Social Security Appeals

Appeals can be made on any decision that may affect a claimant’s disability claim or the benefit amount.

Social Security appeals are often the most critical stages in one’s claim. Hence, in any level of the appeals process, decisive, effective and aggressive representation is crucial to the outcome of one’s claim.

Generally, a social security appeal has four levels:

• Reconsideration


• Hearing by an administrative law judge (ALJ)


• Review by the Appeals Council


• Federal Court review

Reconsideration

When a claim is denied after initial determination, a claimant may ask for a review of the case by requesting for reconsideration. This is an opportunity for a claimant to present additional evidence to support his claim.

ALJ Hearings

A claimant may disagree with the reconsideration decision and may request hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). During the hearing, a claimant may present new information and will be asked to present expert witnesses.

Appeals Council

This is the final level of administrative review in a claimant’s case. Here, the Appeals Council may review the request for review or deny it. If the Council decides to review the claimant’s case, it may either decide on the case or return it to the ALJ for further review.

Federal Court Review

If the Appeals Council decides not to review a case or the claimant disagrees with their decision, he/ she may file a lawsuit with the federal district court.