Workers who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are often in need of immediate support. They have medical issues that prevent them from working. They may have medical bills and cost-of-living expenses accruing daily with no income to cover those obligations.
People seeking SSDI benefits often wait eagerly for their response. Unfortunately, not everyone receives approval when they request SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects the majority of SSDI applications.
The people who believe they qualify for SSDI benefits may appeal the decision made by the SSA. There are multiple different stages of appeal available, and reconsideration is the first one. What can people expect during reconsideration?
Reconsideration is an internal review
The SSA has a relatively robust appeals process available. Many people who theoretically have qualifying medical conditions that prevent them from working do not receive benefits right away. Some of them may qualify after an appeal.
The people working for the SSA are all human, and their job requires that they make complex judgment calls with limited information. They might overlook a key detail in an application or allow personal bias to influence their decision-making process. Someone involved in a case with fraudulent claims before may be particularly likely to scrutinize those with the same diagnosis in the future, for example.
When an applicant requests a reconsideration, a different professional working for the SSA reviews their case. Before that happens, however, the applicant has the option of submitting new documents. They can correct any errors in their initial paperwork. They can also submit more medical evidence to establish the validity of their diagnosis and the impact it has on their ability to work.
According to an analysis of application outcomes between 2010 and 2019, roughly 2% of all applicants obtain benefits during the reconsideration stage of an appeal. Reconsideration is only the beginning. If reconsideration is not successful, an applicant has other options available. Typically, the next step is to request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
Preparing for an SSDI benefits appeal can be a difficult process. Applicants who seek legal guidance may be less likely to make mistakes during the appeals process.
