WHY YOU NEED TWO APPEALS FOR DISABILITY

I think it's rather unfortunate, but you will probably have to appeal your disability decision twice to get it approved.

That's right.  Not one appeal but two.  Here's why.

The initial application screening process is designed to weed out individuals who are not qualified for SSDI benefits.  It throws the baby out with the bath water.  In other words, as unqualified applicants are denied many deserving applicants are also denied.

When you appeal the first time, you undergo something they call "reconsideration."  This is also a rather mechanical go-through-the-motions process that denies nearly everyone.

The third stage is when you ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).  This is your absolute best chance to get your disability case approved.  The judge will give your case a really thorough, personal review.

So the steps are usually:  (1) Application (2) Reconsideration (3) Hearing

You have a strict 60 day deadline to appeal any unfavorable decision on your claim.  Do not miss the deadline.

If I had my way, we would just skip the application and reconsideration and start with a hearing before a judge.  Of course, that's not possible.  We have to go through the steps in order.  Just be sure that you keep kicking your denial up the chain of command (with appeals) until it gets to the administrative law judge. 


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