How to Appeal Disability Denials

If you were denied Social Security disability benefits, you can take measures to appeal the denial. The United States Social Security Administration website allows you to appeal your disability denial online in a two-part process. If you do not want to use the Internet for your appeal, you can explore other options of how to go about challenging your disability denial. By appealing the medical decision, you can try to request a reconsideration of your disability application.

Things You'll Need

• Disability denial notice
• Disability appeal forms

Show More

Instructions

Online Appeals

• 1

  Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) homepage (ssa.gov).

• 2

  Click on the "Disability" tab at the top of the page.

• 3

  Click on the "Appeal Our Recent Medical Decision" link.

• 4

  Read through the appeal process and then click the "Start the Appeal" button.

• 5

  Complete both parts of the appeal process online. The first part is the Appeal Request, which is a short form that you must complete in a single session and cannot return to later. Once you complete the first part, you will be prompted to begin the second part, the Appeal Disability Report, which asks for information regarding any changes in your medical condition. You can save and return to this form later if you cannot complete it all at once.

Local Social Security Office Appeals

• 6

  Click the "How to Contact Us" link at the top of the SSA's "Internet Appeal" page and then click on the link, "In person -- your local Social Security office."

• 7

  Enter your ZIP code and press the "Locate" button to find a local Social Security office.

• 8

  Visit or contact your local Social Security office to speak with a representative about appealing your case.

Other Appeal Options

• 9

  Review your Social Security denial notice. Your notice will specify which type of SSA appeal form you will need to request an appeal.

• 10

  Click on the "Get a form" link under the "Top Services" section of the SSA homepage (ssa.gov).

• 11

  Click on the link to "Disability Forms."

• 12

  Click on the appeals form specified by your Social Security denial notice and then download the PDF form and print it out. For instance, you may need to print out the "SSA-561 Request for Reconsideration" form.

• 13

  Click on the "SSA-3441 Disability Report-Appeal" form. Download the PDF form and print it out.

• 14

  Click on the "SSA-827 Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration." Download the PDF form and print it out.

• 15

  Fill out all three forms and mail them or bring them in person to your local Social Security office to appeal your disability denial.

• 16

  Call, as another option, the SSA (1-800-772-1213) and explain to a representative that you would like to appeal your disability denial but do not prefer the online appeal option. People who are hard of hearing or deaf can also call the SSA (1-800-325-0778).