When an individual applies for Social Security disability benefits, the initial claim will likely be denied. Data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) shows more than 70 percent of claimants receive a Social Security Disability Denial during processing. This doesn’t necessarily mean the individual will not receive benefits; however, it does mean they may have to go through a process of appeals to be approved.
Once a denial has been issued, the disabled worker has 60 days to contact the SSA to initiate the appeals process. Once the paperwork is complete, Disability Determination Services officials will examine the case, and a written decision will be issued. If the claim is denied again, a hearing will be held, and the case will again be reviewed, but this time, it will be reviewed by a judge. If it is again rejected, the decision can be appealed to the next level, a review panel.
Even if the claim is denied through all four levels of the appeals process, more action may still be taken. The Queens Chronicle told us that roughly 4,000 claims were being reopened due to a class action settlement. In that case, the court ruled judges had hastily denied claims for Social Security disability benefits.
The Social Security Disability Lawyers with Newlin Disability are here to help anyone with a claim for Social Security benefits that has been denied.