Category Archives: 2 Denials & Appeals

What to do if Social Security denies your claim

Appeals Council form letter denial

I was talking to a woman who was upset with her attorney. Her Social Security case had been denied at the hearing level. The Administrative Law Judge did not think she was disabled. With her attorney’s help, she appealed to … Continue reading

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How long do I have to appeal my Social Security disability denial?

If your Social Security disability case has been denied. You need to know how long you have to file your appeal. You only have so much time before your deadline. If you miss that window of opportunity, you may be … Continue reading

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Social Security told me not to bother appealing my disability case

It always shocks me when I hear that Social Security has discouraged someone from filing an appeal. However, several times a year someone tells me something like this: When I asked for the forms to appeal I was told, ‘if … Continue reading

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How long after a consultative examination does it take to get a decision?

I was recently asked how long after Social Security sends you to a doctor for a consultative examination will it take to get a decision. I previously wrote about how long it takes to receive an initial decision after you apply for … Continue reading

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Save yourself a trip to Social Security – Use SSA Online!

Before you put yourself through the drudgery of going down to your local Social Security office, check the Social Security website to see if you can take care of your problem without going in.   There are a lot of things you … Continue reading

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Denied at your hearing? What you can do now

If your Social Security case is denied after a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you have a couple of options: Appeal the ALJ’s decision to the Social Security Appeals Council To do this, you need to file form HA-520-U5 … Continue reading

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Denied at hearing? Here’s how to appeal the Judge’s decision to Social Security Appeals Council

If you are denied at your Social Security hearing by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you have the right to appeal the judge’s decision to the Social Security Appeals Council.   To do this, you need to file form HA-520-U5 … Continue reading

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Social Security myths: you have to wait 60 days after being denied to reapply

I hear this one with some frequency. I am meeting with a client and they tell me that someone at Social Security told them that if they want to appeal, they have to wait sixty days before starting a new … Continue reading

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What is an Informal Denial?

I am often asked: I got an informal denial. What is that? An informal denial typically means that Social Security is denying you because you may not be eligible for disability benefits. This is different from being denied because you are not … Continue reading

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Social Security says my husband or wife earns too much for me to get SSI

Here is a common problem. You apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but then Social Security tells you that your spouse is making too much money for you to be eligible. How much is too much? It was surprisingly difficult … Continue reading

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Social Security denial: should you appeal or reapply?

I often hear the following question: I just got my Social Security denial letter. Should I appeal or re-apply? While every case is different, based on my experiences handling Social Security claims in Colorado, I often find the you stand … Continue reading

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When problems arise, watch out for deadlines!

You, or your child, are on Social Security, when out of the blue, you get a letter: Your benefits will cease as of … or An overpayment was detected due to your failure to notify Social Security of your spouse’s … Continue reading

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What if Social Security loses your appeal?

After you were denied Social Security disability benefits, you got the appeal forms, you struggled to fill them out, but you made sure to get it all turned in before the appeal deadline. Then you wait. And wait. You should … Continue reading

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Denied at Hearing? Request the Hearing Tapes

DisabilityAppeal.com has a interesting article on the importance of requesting the hearing tape if you are denied at hearing. In many instances, once the tapes are obtained and listened to, parts of the record will be inaudible. And in a … Continue reading

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Where can I find Social Security forms?

Are you looking for a specific Social Security form? Social Security has a page where you can find it. You can search for a form or browse by category: Prepare for Your Interview Benefits Claims Supporting Forms Medicare Prescription Drug … Continue reading

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