How do I appeal a denial?

Important:

You only have 60 days from the time you receive your denial letter to appeal, otherwise your denial becomes final and you’ll be forced to start over with a new application. If you have recently received a denial, contact the Disability Team at McDonald Law Firm today to get your appeal started.

Reconsideration (Recon)

If you have been denied at the Initial level, you must first file a Request for Reconsideration. Your case will be reviewed again (this time, by a different disability examiner) and you will be notified by mail of the decision. Most likely, you will be denied again, so prepare yourself.

Most Disability applications ― more than 65 percent ― are denied during the initial stage of the Social Security Disability process.

Request a Hearing

If you are denied at the Reconsideration level, the next step is to ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Again, you must file your request within 60 days of receiving your denial letter.

If for some reason you are denied again, it is still not over. You may ask for a review by Social Security’s Appeals Council ― the highest decision-making body within the Social Security Administration. If you are denied yet again, you have the right to file a lawsuit in federal court.

McDonald Law Firm can help you file your appeal and manage your claim moving forward.

While you are not required to hire an attorney to appeal your disability denial, we believe it is in your best interest to do so. The attorneys at McDonald Law Firm have helped thousands of people appeal denied disability claims and we would be privileged to help you, as well.