It is not uncommon to have your disability claim denied the first time. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration, more than 65% of disability claims are denied. After your disability claim is rejected, the next step is fill out a Request for Reconsideration, which is really just an appeal for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to look at your claim. When your request is granted, you can fix any errors or omissions in your disability claim and refile your disability claim.
What is the Next Step After Getting Denied Disability Benefits?
The next step after getting denied disability benefits is to file an appeal which is also called a Request for Reconsideration. You will need to fill out the Request for Reconsideration form and submit that to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Request for Reconsideration will reopen your claim to be re-examined with new information. You will be able to add evidence to your claim to bolster your case.
Do not file a new claim for disability benefits if you have been denied in the past. Instead, you need to file an appeal to ensure that you can just improve your initial claim so that it can be approved. There will be instructions on how to get and file a Request for Reconsideration in your disability denial letter. You need to follow those instructions. If those instructions are confusing or unclear, you should consider talking to an experienced disability attorney who can explain to you what exactly you need to do.
How Long After Being Denied Disability Can You Reapply?
If your disability claim is denied, you can reapply for disability. However, to do so you must first file an appeal. Do not file a brand-new claim or refile with a brand-new claim.
When you receive notice that your claim for disability was denied, you have 60 days from the date of denial to file a Request for Reconsideration. Your disability denial letter will also state when you must have your appeal filed by.
If your Request for Reconsideration is granted, you will have to resubmit your original disability benefits claim along with new evidence to further support your claim. That means that you must have new medical evidence that proves you meet the Social Security Administration’s requirements for disability. If you are submitting a claim for disability benefits and you have a condition that is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, you must include medical evidence showing that you meet each of the requirements listed in the Blue Book for that condition that you have. It is important to note that, if you are missing evidence showing how you meet those Blue Book requirements your claim will likely be denied.
Further Reading: What Conditions Qualify For Disability?
Get Help Your Denied Disability Benefits Claim
Making sure that you have enough evidence to show that you meet the SSA’s requirements for disability is essential in getting your claim approved. You should talk to an attorney that has experience in disability claims to get advice on what medical evidence to include as well as why your initial claim was denied. A skilled attorney can help you make sure that your claim is not denied again. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation now to talk with an experienced disability attorney.
Additional Resources
- What Conditions Qualify For Disability?
- What Is SSI?
- SSDI Application
- SSDI
- SSI
- Disability Lawyer
- What Should You Say During Your Disability Appeal?
- I was denied Social Security disability for the 2nd time... Is it worth continuing to pursue benefits?
- What Happens if I Am Denied at the Reconsideration Stage?
