Disability

If We Denied Your Application, You Can Appeal Online

July 18, 2016 • By

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Last Updated: July 18, 2016

q markSocial Security offers you many options to conduct business with us online. Far gone are the days when you needed to visit our offices or call us on the phone to appeal a denial of your disability benefits. Now you can file an appeal online, even if you live outside of the United States!

The online appeals application is simple, convenient, and secure, guiding you through every step of the process. From outlining your rights to an appeal, to publications on the appeals process, a fair review of your Social Security case is right at your fingertips. The online application even allows you to upload supporting documentation, like treatments, doctors, and medical reports, as well as an option to save your submissions.

Submitting all the necessary documents will save time and can help return a faster decision. Here are some things you’ll need when ready to submit an appeal:

  • Doctors, hospitals, medical treatments, and tests since you last gave us medical information;
  • Medicines you are currently taking; and
  • Changes in your medical conditions, daily activities, work, and education.

You can learn more about our appeals process by reading our publication Your Right To Question The Decision Made On Your Claim.

Social Security is constantly looking for ways to make our services accessible and readily available when you need them. It’s part of our commitment to delivering world-class service to you and providing you with more options, like an online appeal, to conduct your Social Security business.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. Luther l.

    Can someone please help with this matter

    • John O.

      W2 forms come from employers. Your Dad is 87 and working ?? SSA has nothing to do with records of car loans, check with the major credit bureaus.

  2. Luther l.

    My 87yr old Dad we’re on line trying to set up an account to a copy of benefits award sheet and W-2 and found information about a Dec.2015 car loan that neither of us are aware of and our application was denied.We need the above documents in order to present to the mortgage company

    • Ray F.

      Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, for assistance. Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day, or later in the week. Thanks!

      • Brenda

        and it’s an hour wait time at minimum

    • Marie J.

      Call the Credit bureaus and Dispute that and anything on your reports that is not yours. They have to check it out throughly and clear the incorrect info on your credit reports and send you back their findings.. Creditkarma.com gives you your info online for free. Once the incorrect info is removed, then you can contact social security again. Also, check out this social security Immediate News Release on January 15, 2014 below for special approval with no attorney needed for the program. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances for a list of 225 disability cinditions. Over 200,000 people have been approved through this fast tract disability program that ssa reps can’t tell you about, but you must ask them for it. I hope this helps.

      • Ray F.

        The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative is a way to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security’s definition of disability. Visit our “Compassionate Allowances – Frequently Asked Questions” webpage for more information.

  3. Maria K.

    Your strategy is to time people out of their credits. You are liars and thieves with an excellent public relations team. Your workers treat sick people with disgust, impatience and haste. You create a false need for documents to meet your denial quota. You contract work out, you send letters without contact names, you create stress in the lives of people who have paid into the system and have earned enough credits. You purposely deny people creating loss of their homes without a care to the down payment and years of paying down their mortgage only to lose it. Your workers fail to understand the connection between physical disability, fatigue, shortness of breath, inability to move, muscle problems, how the cold affects muscles, the stress the body goes through, the stress the mind goes through. You could care less. You provide no help to people who desperately need it in hopes they’ll turn to alcohol or drugs because that’s what your staff conveys. Your staff are horrible people. The Hispanic animals who have been there the longest are the worse. You pride yourself on employing minorities so when minorities give to their own you fail to realize they take away from others. You support spousal abuse. You are not in support of women or women with child. Your staff seeks every opportunity to financially harm women. There is no ombudsman/judge/higher up to seek remedy. Everything is a wait or more information from you when clearly someone who has high blood pressure resulting from continuous stress you’ve put them through. Hopefully each and every one of you gets the worse form of cancer or your children get the worse form of cancer and they wait for as long as you have tormented others.

    • Anybody

      If they denied u, u deserve to be denied, u racist, full of hate, black hearted evil person. God have mercy on you.

    • DrGonzo888

      So long as you appeal., you cant be “timed out on your credits” and Hispanic animals ? Maybe its YOUR attitude and treatment of people that cause you problems ?

    • M.

      I understand your frustration,believe me, I am currently going through the same torment. I’ve been trying to get some help dentistry /healthcare wise for 3 yrs! ..as I deteriate and watch my teeth fall out !! But…you should never,ever wish cancer on anyone ESPECIALLY a child., that is uncomprehensible. I know you could not have meant that,(at least I hope you didn’t)

  4. KHEDIOKHE

    LETS GET THE POLITICIAN INTO SOC. SEC. AND SEE HOW FAST THINGS WILL GET BETTER. THAT’S RIGHT. THESE LOW LIFE LIARS WITH GOLD SPOONS IN THEIR MOUTHS DO NOT PAY INTO SOC, SEC. THEY SET THEM AND THEIR SPOUSE WITH BIG PENSIONS FROM OUR TAXES. THEY GET MED.& DENTAL AND ALL ELSE THAT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR, OFF OUR TAXES.
    YOU WANT HELP??? WE ALL SIGN PETITIONS TO GET THESE BUMS ON OUR RULES OF LIVING AND THEN THE PROPER EQATIONS WILL FALL IN PLACE FOR ALL OF US. UNTIL WE DO THIS AS A PEOPLE PARTY, THIS BULL-SHIT WILL BE AROUND FOREVER.
    VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE AND BRING IN NEW. ALSO GET THEM INTO SOC. SEC. THEN WATCH THE COST OF LIVING COME INTO PLAY.
    THEY GAVE THEMSELVES 331/3 % RAISE. IMAGINE THAT. WE GET 1.00%. THEY WORK 131 DAYS A YEAR. IMAGINE THAT WE WORK ALL YEAR.. WE GET THE RED TAPE TREATMENT AND DENIALS, WHILE THEY EAT, SIT AND GET RICHER OFF THE FAT OF THE LAND FROM OUR BUSTING BUTTS.
    WAKE UP ALL AND CALL UP WRITE IN
    AND COMPLAIN. LET’S GET THESE THIEVES INTO OUR WORLD.
    THAT’S WHY THEY FEAR TRUMP. HE IS AN OUTSIDER SPEAKING OUR WORDS AND THOUGHTS AND THE POLITICIAN HATES IT.
    BOTH PARTIES ARE CROOKS, BUT TRUMP IS UPSETTING THE PIE.
    TRUMP MAY BE OUR ONLY LAST HOPE. OTHERWISE KILLERY WILL FOLLOW THE O-BAM-BAM FOOTSTEPS INTO THE END FOR ALL OF US.

  5. Elcho

    This is a real joke.
    But if you’re a young black that robs & kills, the govt. will help you.
    Govt. all over the world are nothing but licensed thieves.
    The USA used to be the best country on earth, still is as a country, but its govt. stinks.
    We must thank to the elusive & liar at the W H.

  6. DIANA

    Can someone being working full time and get Disability and Medicare?

    • John O.

      Disability, no, Medicare maybe.

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question Diana. Social Security strongly supports those individuals who want to return to the work force while supplementing their disability benefit income. We have Work Incentives that allow people to work and still receive their benefits. A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program if they work. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2016, the SGA limit is $1,130 per month (or $1,820 for blind applicants). In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work. We hope this information helps.

      • Jennifer N.

        I was told over the phone that my claim was denied. I havent recieved the letter yet. But i provided all my medical documents. Dating from 2003 to 2017 all consistently stating I have PTSD, borderline personality disorder, severe depression amd anxiety. I had an rfc filled out by my therapist. Several supporting papers. Even one that excused me from working because of my mental health condition. If I was truly denied then how are aljs really making a proper decision based off of medical facts? It just seems that the ssa wants everyone denied. I have these issues. I wouldnt apply for disability if I was able to work. The VE even stated I couldnt work. This is insane and unjust.

        • Ann C.

          Hi, Jennifer. We are sorry to learn of your condition and to hear that your application for disability benefits did not go the way you had hoped.. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. However, you can file an appeal and ask the Appeals Council, to review your case within 60 days of receiving the decision from the ALJ. You cannot file this type of appeal online. For more information on how to appeal a hearing decision, check out our publication, Your Right to an Administrative Law Judge Hearing and Appeal Council Review of your Social Security Case. If you need help requesting a review, contact your local Social Security office, your local hearing office or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Thanks.

          • Linda

            That 1-800-772-1213 is a joke!!! Said I would have to wait 1 hour and 30 mins. so I did the automated thing where they call you back. It was TWO hours and the woman was thee most rudest person I ever spoke with. When I feel better, she will be reported. That was a horrible experience as this whole process has been! They jerk you around so much that it has made me lose more faith in the government. I’ve worked all my life, that’s OUR money, NOT theirs!!!! I hired an attorney and I suggest all of you do seriously! They lead you on. Funniest thing ever is the doctor that did my surgery and was listed on every paper I filled out has NEVER been contacted by them. Watch for that too friends! I wish you all the VERY BEST!!!! They do NOT care about us at all!

          • Jenna Y.

            Hi Linda. We are sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience and we understand your frustration. You can submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. Sometimes it may be best to visit your local office for assistance. We hope this helps.

  7. Brian M.

    I’ve already appealed and got denied…I got an MRI and dr notes to support my claims and I can get any new MRIs or other tests done cause I can’t afford it I have no insurance and don’t work cause of my condition and the SS office knows this and still refuses to offer me help…

    • John O.

      File for a Hearing and get an Attorney who will collect only if you are approved. Get on MEDICAID at the County Assistance Office.

    • Marie J.

      Check the http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionate allowances. It announed some new conditions and 225 illnesses that can be approved in 7 to 10 days. You have to ask the social security person to look on that list because, they wont look unless you ask. After I finished giving all my medical conditions and information, I asked the lady to look. She said, “Oh, let me check it for you?”. Social Security workers wont look at the list unless you ask them to look on the list. I found a Social Security News Release dated January 15, 2014 for Immediate Release, by LaVenia J. LaVelle, Press Officer. press.office@ssa.gov.

  8. Yolonde D.

    I have chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, COPD, severe rheumatoid arthritis, and I did appeal. You turned me down again. Don’t tell people to appeal when you’re just going to deny them again. You should be ashamed of yourself. When I applied last year I was denied and my appeal was denied. Now I have RA severly and this year I don’t have enough work hours to qualify. Terrible people.

    • brian w.

      they are disgraceful and VA is even worse

      • Harry

        I agree with you!100%

    • Thomas C.

      Get a good attorney and then I bet you’ll get approved.

    • John O.

      The SS Administration is not telling people to appeal by phone so they can turn them down again. They are saying this to relieve the field offices of walk in traffic. Having said that, I advise anyone who is filing an appeal to do it in person. Why? How are you to know what is missing in your medical file unless you see it? How are you to know what the doctor’s had to say? By looking at your file (request it before you go in) you will be best prepared to present your appeal.

      • Ray F.

        hi John. The fastest and easiest way to file an appeal of your decision is online. You can upload documents online to support your appeal, which will help decrease the time it takes to receive a decision from Social Security. Please read our publication “The Appeals Process” for complete information.

      • Tim F.

        I know what is iin my file, but it didn’t do any good. I have been trying to appeal for the 3rd time now and the appeals council sent my appeal back to the same ALJ. I have many health issues but the worse is my back. I have been seeing a spine speacialist and he said that surgery is my only option, but now the ALJ wants me to see one of their Dr andIcan only assume that he/or she is just an MD. It is unfair because the appeals council sent my case back to the judge recommending that I be approved. It is comingup on 3 years now and I have had to stop taking most of my meds because I can’t afford to by them right now. I take the only one drug for the pain and ven that is a narcadic and I am just lucky to have a wonderful primary care Dr that keeps me from having to live with the back pain I have to every day.

      • Brenda

        They DO NOT allow you to see the medical report. I was told I was not supposed to have seen mine. It was so contradictory. I asked if my doc could call and clear it up and was told no. I was denied because the word can. Even though, after each CAN, it went on to list all the reasons I CAN’T. They do EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER, and then some, to Deny you

    • Tony

      Totally agree with you going on 7yrs now denial after denial a win in federal civil court and denied again ruthlessly my life is so screwed they are bad

    • Susan s.

      Did you have a lawyer to help you

      • candy a.

        No dumb ass Susan, he’s not black like you and therefore could be on deaths door and will be denied.

  9. Marie K.

    Ok whatever this is is about

  10. Anne S.

    I gave the P>O> my SScard when I applied to get my passport w my married name,I had done so with SS office
    They never sent my card back,How do I get a copy of my card

    • Reginald B.

      There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.

      You can use a my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card online . https://faq.ssa.gov/ics/support/kbanswer.asp?QuestionID=3755

    • Ray F.

      Please visit to http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ to see what documents you will need to get a replacement Social Security card.

      • bob g.

        Mr Fernandez: Can you please tell me the date of the policy change that only attorneys can represent a claimant at the ALJ level and the rationale behind that decision?

        • Ray F.

          Thank you for your question Bob. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not require a claimant to have representation at any level, even at a disability hearing or at federal district court. We neither encourage nor discourage representation. The Social Security Act requires that we notify any claimant who is not represented by an attorney, and who receives an adverse determination, about the options for obtaining attorney representation and the availability, to qualifying claimants, of legal services organizations that provide legal services free of charge (e.g., legal aid groups). The information SSA furnishes must be consistent with the basic policy that SSA is neutral with respect to encouraging or discouraging representation. SSA will not refer the claimant to a specific organization, nor can SSA determine whether a claimant qualifies for legal services free of charge. Click here for more information about representation.

          • Brenda

            You will be denied unless you have a lawyer who knows the games they play in order to deny you. If I am denied this go-round, will be getting one. I have the medical report from my first attempt and when I went on line to appeal,EVERYTHING was missing. It asked if I would like to apply!?!?!

          • ashley e.

            i am shocked and disgusted at how people are bashing our government. I have a lawyer and i got denied the first time. I have only talked to nice people that haVe been helpful and kind. Everyone needs to be kind to others and maybe have a better attitude. i appreciate the fact that we even have this so that we can receive help. I think you all need to get lawyers and stop bitching
            about our ssi and ssa programs.

Comments are closed.