AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- The Social Security appeals process has four stages at which a previous decision can be reviewed and possibly overturned.
- You can file appeals and schedule proceedings online with a My Social Security account.
- Consulting with an attorney who specializes in Social Security can help you navigate the process.
Summary
Appealing a Social Security denial online gives you an accessible path to fight for the benefits you’ve earned. Carly Roszkowski, AARP’s vice president for financial resilience, explains the four stages of appeals: reconsideration, a hearing with an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council and, if needed, a lawsuit in federal court. Challenging a denial can feel overwhelming, but using your My Social Security account streamlines the process, allowing you to file requests, upload documents, track progress and receive updates in one secure place.
Understanding each stage is crucial because appealing a Social Security denial requires careful attention to deadlines and, often, gathering new evidence to strengthen your claim. In disability cases, you’ll need extensive medical records or statements from doctors or family members documenting your condition. The process can be lengthy and complicated, and many applicants benefit from consulting a Social Security attorney early on.
The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
Full Transcript:
[00:00:00] Jenny from Arizona asked us, “Can I appeal a Social Security denial online?” Here’s what you need to know.
[00:00:07] The short answer is yes, but appealing a Social Security denial is a four-stage process that can take months,
[00:00:14] or even years, to complete in full. Whether your denial was for disability or other payment issues,
[00:00:20] the first stage is reconsideration. You can apply for reconsideration online at ssa.gov/my account, and
[00:00:29] it’s often the fastest and most convenient way to start the process. During this phase, a Social Security examiner who wasn’t involved in the
[00:00:38] initial decision will review your file, including any new information you submit. This is your chance to correct any mistakes or add any new documents.
[00:00:47] It’s worth noting that each stage of appeal is complicated, and it’s worthwhile to hire or get advice from an attorney specializing in Social Security as
[00:00:57] early as you can in the process. If you are denied at reconsideration, the next step is to request a hearing before
[00:01:03] an administrative law judge or ALJ. The ALJ will review all the evidence in your case, and you’ll have the opportunity
[00:01:11] to testify about your situation. For example, if your appeal is about disability, you can talk
[00:01:17] about your condition and how it affects your ability to work. You can also have witnesses such as doctors or family
[00:01:24] members testify on your behalf. Again, your my Social Security account allows you to request
[00:01:30] this hearing electronically. If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request a review by the
[00:01:35] Social Security Appeals Council. A separate panel of judges will go over the evidence in your case, although they
[00:01:42] probably will not hold another hearing, and they’ll assess whether the ALJ made any legal or procedural errors.
[00:01:49] They might agree with the ALJ, overturn the decision, or send your case back to an ALJ for further review.
[00:01:57] You can request this review through your online account. It’s a seamless way to continue your appeal journey. If you don’t
[00:02:04] succeed with the Appeals Council, the final step in the process is filing a lawsuit in Federal District Court.
[00:02:11] If you reach this stage, it means you’ve exhausted all administrative appeals with Social Security.
[00:02:16] Your my Social Security account is an incredible resource throughout the appeal process.
[00:02:22] Each stage can be requested or scheduled through your online account. You can upload any new info or documents there during the process, and you can
[00:02:32] receive updates and messages there. So now you know. Thanks for watching. Please leave any Social Security questions you have in the comment section below
[00:02:41] so we can answer them in future videos. Until next time.
