Although most working professionals in the United States contribute regularly to Social Security, very few people ever need disability benefits. Those who do often face a complicated application process. Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be both humbling and frustrating.
It can be difficult for people to acknowledge that they may never be able to work again because of their medical challenges. They may have to make drastic changes to their lifestyle to cover their costs with SSDI benefits. The paperwork and documentation required to secure SSDI benefits can also be a source of frustration. Small mistakes on the paperwork or failure to submit adequate medical evidence can lead to the Social Security Administration (SSA) denying someone benefits.
Those applying for SSDI benefits often do not have any alternative means of supporting themselves when they become unable to work. A denied application can seem like a major hurdle. Thankfully, there are multiple types of appeals available to those denied benefits despite having disabling medical conditions. A reconsideration is the first stage of an SSDI appeal.
Reconsideration is an internal process
The majority of the reconsideration process occurs within the SSA. The applicant has to initiate the process by requesting an appeal. They may need to correct mistakes that they previously made on paperwork or submit additional medical evidence affirming their claim to need benefits.
Then, different professionals employed by the SSA review the application and any corrections or supplementary materials provided by the applicant. In some cases, a fresh set of eyes is all that is necessary to help an applicant get benefits after an initial denial. Additional medical records or corrections to errors in paperwork can lead to rapid approval.
Other times, the SSA employee conducting the reconsideration does not approve the applicant. In those cases, the appeal may proceed to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. The hearing process provides another opportunity to prove the seriousness of someone’s condition and the need for SSDI benefits.
Learning more about the appeals process can help SSDI applicants plan the right path forward after an initial rejection. Successful appeals can lead to regular payments and also backdated benefits covering the time an applicant was eligible for, but did not receive, benefits.
