Getting that denial letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is frustrating—it often feels like the end of the road. It’s important to know that it is not. The SSA denies the vast majority of initial applications, so this is just the first hurdle in the process, not the final one.
If your initial application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has been denied, your next move is critical. You must act quickly and correctly to keep your claim alive.
The Most Important Rule: Do Not File a New Application!
Many people mistakenly believe that when they are denied, they should simply file a new application. Do not do this. Filing a new application will only restart the clock, waste valuable time, and complicate your case.
Instead, your next step is to appeal the denial.
Step 1: Understand Your State’s Appeal Process
The SSA has a multi-step appeal process, but the first step you take is Reconsideration:
The Next Step: Request for Reconsideration
The first level of appeal after an initial denial is the Request for Reconsideration.
- What is it? This is essentially asking the SSA to look at your case again. A different disability examiner and medical consultant from the state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office (the same office that handled your initial claim) will review all the evidence in your file, including any new information you provide.
- What should I do? You must fill out the Request for Reconsideration and the Disability Report – Appeal forms.
- What is the timeframe? This is the most crucial part: You have only 60 days from the date you receive the denial letter to file your request. Missing this deadline means you generally lose your right to appeal, forcing you to start over.
Step 2: The Critical Importance of New Evidence
Whether you are requesting a Reconsideration or a Hearing, simply submitting the forms is not enough. The SSA denied your initial claim because they believed the existing evidence did not meet their strict disability criteria.
To maximize your chance of a reversal, you must use the appeal window to provide compelling new medical evidence and demonstrate that your condition has worsened or that you have received new diagnoses or treatments since your initial application date.
Focus on gathering documentation about:
- New Treatment: Have you seen a doctor, specialist, or physical therapist since you filed?
- Hospitalizations: Have you been admitted to the hospital since the denial?
- Worsening Symptoms: Have your doctors noted a decline in your ability to perform daily tasks or work-related activities?
The faster you gather this new information and submit it with your appeal forms, the stronger your overall case will be.
Our Recommendation: Contact an Attorney Immediately
The appeal process is complex, time-sensitive, and heavily relies on technical legal standards. Most individuals who appeal without representation are denied at the Reconsideration stage.
An attorney focusing in Social Security disability claims can:
- Manage the strict 60-day deadlines.
- Identify the exact medical evidence missing from your file.
- Work directly with your doctors to obtain statements that properly address the SSA’s complex legal requirements.
Don’t go through this critical appeal phase alone. If you’ve been denied, your next step should be to contact Magnolia Disability Law Firm to ensure your appeal is filed correctly and effectively.