How to Appeal Social Security Disability (and how to GREATLY increase your chances of getting approved)

Art: Robin Mead

If your application was denied, please don’t give up hope. There are many many (many!) things you can do to increase your chances during appeal.

There are several steps in the process:

1. Initial Application
2. Request for Reconsideration
3. Appeal and Request a Hearing
4. Sometimes the process can continue beyond hearings

For a while, some states eliminated step two, but now it’s back! Here’s how to request reconsideration and how to request a hearing appeal:

How to Request Reconsideration 

🌷 This page tells you how to fill out forms and what questions to expect from Social Security or from your lawyer. If your Request for Reconsideration forms have already been sent in, you don’t need to read this page. How to Fill Out Forms and Answer Questions. 

🌷 If you wish, you can also enclose other things with your reconsideration application, and this increase your chances of getting approved: How To Increase Your Chances of Winning Your Reconsideration

🌷 Questions that may come up at your doctor’s office or at the Social Security office while waiting for reconsideration: Tricky Questions You May be Asked

How to Request a Hearing Appeal

🌷 This page tells you how to fill out forms and what questions to expect from Social Security or from your lawyer. If your appeal and hearing forms have already been sent in, you don’t need to read this page. How to Request a Disability Hearing Appeal

🌷 Most states have significant wait time before a hearing. Usually around two years. While waiting for your hearing, you don’t need (or want) to just sit around and wait, when there are so many more interesting and important things you could be doing: How to Wait for Your Disability Hearing

🌷 During this time, there are many things you can do to GREATLY improve your chances of getting approved. How to Greatly, Greatly (Greatly!) Improve Your Chances of Winning Your Appeal.

🌷 It is usually recommended to hire a lawyer or representative for an appeal hearing. There is no cost upfront – they are paid a portion of your backpay when you are approved. How, Where, When and Why to Find a Disability Lawyer.

🌷 Questions that may come up at your doctor’s office or at the Social Security office while you are appealing: Tricky Questions You May be Asked

Deadlines

🌷 Deadlines are important. Here’s what you can do if you miss one: What To Do If You Miss a Social Security Deadline

What Do You Think? 

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