What to do if you get denied for Social Security Disability or SSI ?

If you get denied for social security disability or SSI, you only have a few limited choices. However, the choice you should, in most instances, choose is to appeal your denial.

The fact of the matter is that most claims for disability benefits are denied at the basic application application level and even at the first appeal level. However, at the second appeal level (a hearing before an administrative law judge), the chances of being approved for benefits rises substantially.

So, if you get denied for social security disability or SSI benefits you should probably contact the social security office immediately to request the appropriate appeal forms. And you should not waste any time doing this. The social security administration will allow you sixty days in which to request an appeal and submit your appeal paperwork, but an amazing number of applicants fail to meet this deadline and are faced with the prospect of either giving up on their claim or starting over with a new claim. In either scenario, the outlook is not good.

Of course, if you get denied for disability benefits and you have representation, your first call should be to your representative's office. You should do this ensure that they know what is happening on your case (SSA will sometimes fail to notify them of the status of your case) and you should do this to allow them to file the appeal on your behalf.