You may put a lot of work into filling out and submitting your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. So it is understandably disappointing when you get a notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your claim was denied. What’s more, you may become desperate to relieve yourself from the financial burdens that come with your serious health condition. Continue reading to learn what steps you should take if your SSDI claim gets denied and how an experienced New Jersey SSDI appeals lawyer at The Law Office of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can stand by your side throughout.
Why was my SSDI claim rejected?
The SSA is known for having strict guidelines when it comes to who they accept and reject for SSDI benefits. That said, your SSDI claim may have been rejected for any one of the following reasons:
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that your yearly income is too high.
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that your health condition is not severe enough.
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that you did not provide enough information to them.
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that you did not respond to their additional requests soon enough.
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that you did not attend your additional medical exams soon enough.
- The SSA reaches the conclusion that you did not meet their application deadlines.
What next steps should I take if my SSDI claim gets denied?
Rest assured, you may still have a chance at receiving SSDI benefits even after your initial claim gets denied. That is, you may file for an SSDI appeal. And you must take these next steps for the appeals process:
- You may file a reconsideration appeal to the SSA.
- If your reconsideration appeal gets denied, then you may present your case at an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing.
- If your appeal gets denied by an administrative law judge, then you present your case at an appeals council hearing.
- If your appeal gets denied by a Social Security Appeals Council, then you may present your case at a federal court appeal.
Of note, the ALJ hearing is commonly considered the best chance at being granted benefits. But regardless of which hearing you are attending, it may be treated much like a trial. Meaning, you should prepare to produce additional evidence and to call on witnesses (i.e., medical providers) to be questioned.
As you may likely assume yourself, you may have an important appeal on your hands that requires immediate action. More specifically, you may only have 60 days after your initial claim to submit an appeal. So you should not hesitate in reaching out to a skilled New Jersey SSDI appeals lawyer from The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur.
