Social Security Disability is a beneficial service for those who are unable to work as a result of an illness, injury, or any other condition. Unfortunately, it can also be a difficult service to get approved for if you don't know what you're doing. That's why many people reach out to a Social Security Disability lawyer before they apply for benefits. However, if you tried to apply on your own and were denied, you need to understand your options for having the application reconsidered. Here's a look at some of the things that you should know about denied Social Security Disability applications and the reconsideration process.
What Is Disability Reconsideration?
The first thing you need to understand is what disability reconsideration actually is. When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, your application will be reviewed by select people at the local Social Security office. If those people who review your application deny your benefits, you can ask to have the application reconsidered. This is a step that's done before filing a formal appeal, and it sends your application to different individuals in the office who will assess it as though it were a new application and make their own determination. Sometimes, this reconsideration process can result in approval for an application that was previously denied.
Can You Change An Application That's Up For Reconsideration?
If your application for Social Security Disability is denied, you might wonder if you can change anything about it when you ask for reconsideration. When you submit the reconsideration request, you'll have the opportunity to review the application as it was when you submitted it. Take this opportunity to find any potential pitfalls in the application. It's best to do this with the help of a Social Security Disability lawyer.
Show them the denial letter, which will include the explanation of why your application was denied. From there, you and your lawyer can assess your application and address the areas that led to the denial. That way, you can add additional information, incorporate supporting information, or include evidence that was missing the first time around. This will help to improve your chances of success during the reconsideration process.
How Long Do You Have To File For Reconsideration?
As with every other stage of the Social Security Disability application process, there are time limits associated with applying for reconsideration. If your application is denied, you must request reconsideration within 60 days of the date of your denial. If you miss that 60-day window, you'll have to file a new application for benefits and start the whole process over again. Once you've submitted that request, it typically takes several months for the application to be reviewed and for the determination to be issued.
What Happens If Your Reconsideration Request Is Denied?
If you request reconsideration on your Social Security Disability application and still receive a denial, you'll need to reach out to an attorney about filing a request for an appeal. The appeal is the necessary next step in the process if you want to preserve your application timing. It's in your best interest to work with a lawyer for this process, though, because you'll want the legal support and guidance as you attend the conference that will be part of the appeal process.
These are some of the things that you need to understand about the Social Security Disability application process. The more that you know about applying for Social Security Disability and negotiating the entire process, the easier it is to ensure that you get the benefits that you need. Reach out to a Social Security Disability attorney today to see if you may have a sound case for benefits and to fill out the application that you need to get those benefits.
