If you receive a denial letter in regard to your application to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it may make you worry that you’ll be unable to get what you need. Fortunately, there are options to have an appeal.
There are actually several levels of appeals including reconsideration, having a hearing with a judge of administrative law, a review by the appeals council and the federal court review.
The good news about the basic appeal is that you can do it online. You can request your reconsideration, hearing and review through the online form. If you plan to do this, it’s a good idea to have further supporting documents to provide evidence of your need for SSI.
What happens during a reconsideration?
During the reconsideration phase, a complete review of the original claim is made along with new supporting evidence. You can request a nonmedical or medical appeal online as well as check its status online.
What happens if you decide to have a hearing?
The hearing takes place within 75 miles of your home in most cases, and it allows a review of the reconsideration (if it again finds you don’t meet the criteria for SSI). You can seek the hearing online as well. There are both medical and nonmedical determination hearings available. If this stage does not go in your favor, you can request an appeals council review or federal court review based on the advice of your attorney and any decisions that may not have met with federal law and regulations. Your attorney can help you prepare medical and financial documents for this review.
