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What does an SSDI reconsideration usually involve?

On Behalf of | Jul 12, 2024 | SSD - Denied Disability Claims |

A large percentage of people who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits receive a denial. They may have to appeal to obtain the SSDI benefits they need to pay their bills. People with medical issues severe enough to apply for SSDI benefits often take for granted that others should readily acknowledge the severity of their medical challenges.

They may feel unsure of what happens next when the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies their claim. Applicants generally have the right to appeal an unfavorable decision. The appeals process potentially has up to four stages, beginning with a reconsideration.

Reconsideration is an internal process

When the SSA rejects a request for benefits, the denial letter sent out to the applicant typically explains the reason why. Often, the issue relates to medical documentation. Applicants may not submit adequate evidence showing the extent of their condition and how it affects their ability to work. Other times, applicants may have made mistakes on the initial paperwork that led to an automatic rejection of their application.

Those initiating an appeal have the opportunity to correct errors in their application paperwork. They can also collect and submit additional medical evidence. They may need to undergo special testing or see their doctor to have a letter put together explaining the severity of their symptoms.

The applicant submits the corrected application or supplemental materials to the SSA. Then, another SSA professional uninvolved in the initial application reviews everything. When the rejection has to do with insufficient medical evidence, a local professional from the  Disability Determination Services (DDS) office, which is part of the SSA, may review their updated medical records and application.

In some cases, providing supplemental materials during the reconsideration process is enough to secure an approval for SSDI benefits. Other times, the SSA may not approve someone’s request for benefits. They may need to proceed to the next stage of appeal, which involves having a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. A reconsideration may only require a few weeks in some cases when there is clear evidence.

Those seeking SSDI benefits often need to appeal to get the support they require. A percentage of applicants get benefits after a reconsideration. Learning more about the appeals process can help applicants know what step to take next.

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