If you have been denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the application level, reconsideration appeal level, and judicial hearing, then your next course of action is to request an Appeals Council review. You will have 60 days after receiving your hearing decision to request an Appeal Council review. The Appeals Council is physically located in Falls Church, Virginia with a satellite office at SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The Appeals Council reviews over 100,000 hearing decisions every year.
When you request that the Appeals Council review your hearing decision, they will look at your request and do one of 3 things:
- Deny your request (if the Council believes that your hearing decision was correct)
- Overturn the judge’s decision
- Remand your case back to a judge for further review
Most decisions from an Administrative Law Judge that are brought before the Appeals Council are denied. Very rarely will the Appeals Council overturn the judge’s decision. It is possible that your case might get remanded. A remand is when your claim is sent back for a second hearing, on the grounds that the Administrative Law Judge made a technical error, failed to consider medical evidence, or reached an improper conclusion.
If you disagree with the Appeals Council’s decision you would then have to go to the last level of the appeals process which would be to file a civil suit in a federal district court.
If you are disabled and out of work or have been denied disability benefits or if you have questions about the appeals process, contact the Disability Help Group of Arizona by phone at (888) 939 4692 or via the web https://disabilityhelpgroup.org we would be honored to answer your questions or represent your case.
How long do I have to request an Appeals Council review?
You have 60 days after receiving your hearing decision to request a review by the Appeals Council.
Where is the Appeals Council located?
The Appeals Council is located in Falls Church, Virginia, with a satellite office at the SSA Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.
How many hearing decisions does the Appeals Council review annually?
The Appeals Council reviews over 100,000 hearing decisions every year.
What are the possible outcomes of an Appeals Council review?
The Appeals Council can deny the appeal, grant the appeal, or remand the case back for another hearing if they find errors in the original decision.
What is a remand and when might it occur?
A remand occurs when the Appeals Council sends your claim back for a second hearing. This can happen if the Administrative Law Judge made a technical error, failed to consider medical evidence, or reached an improper conclusion.
How often does the Appeals Council overturn a judge's decision?
The Appeals Council rarely overturns decisions made by Administrative Law Judges. Most decisions brought before them are denied.
What should I do if the Appeals Council denies my appeal?
If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, your next step would be to file a civil suit in a federal district court, which is the last level of the appeals process.
How can the Disability Help Group of Arizona assist with my appeal?
The Disability Help Group of Arizona can answer your questions about the appeals process and represent your case. You can contact them at (888) 939 4692 or visit their website at https://disabilityhelpgroup.org.
Who should contact the Disability Help Group of Arizona?
If you are disabled and out of work, have been denied disability benefits, or have questions about the appeals process, you should contact the Disability Help Group of Arizona for assistance.