The Social Security Disability (SSD) claims process can be a long one, especially if your initial application gets denied. Whether you’ve worked with an Atlanta Social Security lawyer from the start or you’re interested in bringing one on board to help navigate the appeals process, it can be helpful to have someone by your side as you await a final decision. From filing your initial claim to submitting the appropriate medical history information and keeping up with appointments, it can be difficult to know exactly where you stand with the Social Security Administration (SSA). But what happens when you receive paperwork stating that you have an “appeal under review?” Keep reading to learn more about the SSD/SSI appeals process and what this common step means for your claim.
Key Steps in the Social Security Disability Appeals Process
It is common for most Social Security Disability claims to be denied at the initial determination and reconsideration stages of the process. Typically, the initial determination period for an SSD claim takes about 120 days. If your claim has been denied at the initial determination stage, it’s essential to quickly file to appeal the decision. From there, the reconsideration stage takes about 90 days to process. During this part of the appeals process, your claim will be reviewed by a new examiner and you may be able to include new supportive evidence to outline the effects of your condition.
Additional SSD Appeals Steps
If your claim is not approved at the reconsideration stage, you can appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council where additional evidence can be offered. This stage of the process id lengthy, taking around 270 days for a decision. From here your claim will likely take one of 3 different paths, including:
- An overturn of the initial denial and an award of benefits
- Returning the disability claim to the ALJ for a new decision
- Denial of the request for review or refusal of benefits (if this happens, your claim must be appealed at a federal level within 60 days)
Finally, if your claim is denied at the ALJ level, you can take I to federal court, the final step in the appeals process that typically takes up to 540 days. This is where the help of an experienced Social Security attorney is needed to argue your claim.
What Does “Appeal Under Review” Mean?
If you receive paperwork stating that your appeal is under review at any point during this process, it means that a decision has been made regarding your claim. However, it is still under review to determine the accuracy of the information you’ve provided and to make sure that you followed all the necessary Social Security Administration rules and regulations when filing your claims paperwork. Although a decision has been made and your appeal is under review, this does not indicate whether the decision is favorable or unfavorable. For further details, it is recommended that you speak with your Social Security attorney.
Contact the Team at Joel Thrift Law Today
Are you interested in learning more about how to file a Social Security Disability claim? Or have you already received a denial at the initial determination stage of the process? With so many different stages to navigate and strict rules that must be followed from the SSA, it’s easy to feel lost without the guidance of an experienced lawyer by your side. At Joel Thrift Law, we’ve got the knowledge and skills necessary to help you through every step of the appeals process and to make sure you understand what new terms mean for your claim. Give us a call at (404) 618-4816 or contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation.