Appealing a Denial – Overview

Throughout the disability claims process, there can be as many as 4 chances to appeal an unfavorable decision issued by Social Security.  The first chance to appeal comes immediately following your first denial letter and involves submitting a reconsideration appeal form.  If you are denied a second time (after you have filed your first appeal), you have the opportunity to appeal again by requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. A third appeal takes place after your hearing and involves presenting your case before the appeals council. Rarely do people make it to the 4th appeal stage, which is a final attempt to prove your case before the Federal District Court.

During the appeals process, there are many forms to get familiar with and much paperwork to be filled out. In this page and all nested within it, you will find all the information you need regarding how to appeal unfavorable Social Security Disability decisions, where to find and how to fill out all the appeal forms, and step-by-step instructions as to how the appeals process works.