New Disability Appeal Step Added In 10 States

Starting this month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is adding a new disability appeal step to get your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in 10 states across the U.S.

Those states are: Colorado, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, Alaska, and California in two branches – Los Angeles North and West. Click here to read more.

What does Reconsideration mean for me?

This new level of the SSDI process is called Reconsideration, and there are two possible effects. One is that you could possibly bypass the months-long wait for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This means you get your benefits without a hearing. However, it’s also possible you may end up waiting longer—because you could receive a denial at Reconsideration, and then be required to appeal to a hearing, as well.

When you request Reconsideration, you likely will have an additional 3-6 months of processing time at Social Security. Only a small amount—13%—of applicants are approved at the Reconsideration stage of the SSDI process. However, Allsup has an approval rate of nearly double the national average at Reconsideration.

Why hire an SSDI representative?

It’s critical to consider hiring a representative when you file your disability appeals. An experienced representative like Allsup has helped thousands of applicants receive approval at the Reconsideration level, and avoid the hearing. Nationwide, about 52% of applicants have a representative when they file their Reconsideration appeal.

In addition, Social Security stated it is hiring and training hundreds of new staff to help with the change in these 10 states.

Important to remember: An experienced SSDI representative may be able to help you avoid repeating mistakes that were in your initial filing, and also will be able to help advocate for your benefits as these states’ disability examiners start a new and unfamiliar process.

Visit TrueHelp.com to learn more, or click here for a free assessment for eligibility with your disability appeal.

Or, you can call the Allsup Disability Resource Center at (888) 217-3795.