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Local: 216-861-8888 – Toll-Free: 877-977-3476

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    2.  – What To Do If Your Claim Is Denied

A Trusted Advocate When Your Social Security Claim Is Denied

Although the Social Security office gives you 65 days to file your “request for reconsideration,” DO NOT WAIT! There is no point in waiting to appeal this denial. Your goal should be to get your “request for reconsideration” filed and have your application reviewed at the next administrative level as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to file your request for reconsideration, the longer it will take to get to the ultimate determination of whether you are disabled.

Although individuals can file their initial application without the assistance of an attorney, once you have been denied call The Skolnick Weiser Law Firm, LLC, at 216-861-8888 or 877-977-3476 (toll-free) to get help with gathering additional medical evidence to support your disability application. We can immediately become involved in assisting you with your appeal.

Initial Review Of Your Application

Once you have filed your Social Security Disability or SSI application, it will be sent to the Disability Determination Service (DDS) in Columbus, Ohio. This agency will obtain your medical records, arrange for a consultative examination, if necessary, and make an initial disability determination. This process takes approximately 4 to 6 months after your initial application. You will either be granted benefits, or as in the vast majority of the cases (up to 70% of all cases) you will receive a letter denying your application.

If you are denied benefits, the letter you receive will tell you that you have 60 days to file a “request for reconsideration.” It will also tell you that Social Security believes that you received the denial letter through mail five days after the date shown on the letter, thereby effectively giving you 65 days from the date of the denial letter to file your request for reconsideration.

Reconsideration Denials

Approximately 6 months following the submission of your “request for reconsideration,” you will again receive notification from Social Security that it has either granted your application or that your request for reconsideration is denied. At this point, you again have only 65 days from the date of the letter notifying you that your “request for reconsideration” has been denied in order to file an appeal.

Do Not Wait To Discuss Your Case With Us

If your “request for reconsideration” is denied, the next step in the disability application process is to file a request for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. As with all appeals and requests to the Social Security Administration, it is important to immediately get your request for a hearing filed. DO NOT WAIT! Currently, hearings in front of an administrative law judge are scheduled 8 to 12 months after your request for the hearing is filed.

The Skolnick Weiser Law Firm, LLC, at 216-861-8888 or 877-977-3476 (toll-free), can help you prepare your claim for the all-important hearing in front of the administrative law judge. Call our office or send us an email to schedule your initial consultation.