Welcome to the follow up portion of the Disability Application process

The next step

After you apply they will …

1. Provide confirmation of your application
2. Review the application
3. Contact you if they need more information or documentation
4. Inform you if other family members may be able to receive benefits on your record, or if you may be able to receive benefits on another person’s record, such as your spouse or your parent
5. Process your application
6. Mail their decision to you

Checking on the status of your application

What you will need:

1. Social Security Number

2. Confirmation that you received when you applied to use the service

How to check status:

1. Sign into account

How to check status:

2. Scroll down to: “your benefit application” section

How to check status:

3. Select: “view details”

What application status shows:

1. Date of filing

2. Current claim location

What application status shows:

3. Servicing office location

4. Scheduled hearing date and time

What application status shows:

5. Re-entry numbers for incomplete applications

6. Publications that may be of interest to you

Steps to appeal a disability decision

If your application was denied:

• You can request an appeal online

• OR continue working on an appeal you already started

• You have 60 days to file your appeal

If your applications was denied:

• The letter sent explaining the determination contains guidance on what level of appeal you should select

Four levels of appeal:

1. Reconsideration

2. Hearing by an administrative law judge

Four levels of appeal:

3. Review by the appeals council

4. Federal court review

Reconsideration:

• A complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first determination

Reconsideration: Medical

• You can request a medical reconsideration online

Reconsideration: Non-Medical

• You can request a non-medical reconsideration online

Hearing by an administrative law judge:

• If you disagree with the determination they made at the reconsideration level, you may ask for hearing

Hearing by an administrative law judge: Scheduling

• They usually schedule hearings within 75 miles of your home

Hearing by an administrative law judge: After Submit

• After you submit your request for a hearing, a confirmation package will arrive explaining the hearing process

• You can opt-out of having your hearing by video

• If you prefer in-person, they will pick the first available date and closest location to you

• You can request a hearing online

Request for Review by the Appeals Council

** The Appeals Council may deny your request to review your case

If they review your case…

It will decide your case itself

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Return it to a judge for further review

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OR

Request for Review by the Appeals Council

• If you disagree with their decision, you may request a review by the Appeals Council by clicking here

Federal Court Review

• If you disagree with the Appeals Council or they decide not to review your case, you can file a civil suit in a federal district court

To learn more about this process, click here

Appeal Forms