There are many reasons why the Social Security Administration in Pennsylvania can deny your claim. Among them include earning more than $1,350 per month, having a disability that isn’t severe enough, not heeding your doctor’s instructions, etc. However, this doesn’t mean you will never receive your well-deserved benefits; you can always appeal. Here’s how to do it.
Request a reconsideration of your claim
When you request a reconsideration, someone who did not make the original decision on your benefits will review your case. To do this, you will need to submit a written request for reconsideration, Form SSA-561, to your local Social Security Administration office and any new evidence you may have.
Attend a hearing before an administrative law judge
Your next option will be to request a hearing before the administrative law judge, or ALJ, where you will have the opportunity to present your case again. You can submit more evidence and even question expert witnesses relevant to your Social Security Disability claim, like your doctor or employer.
Review by the Social Security Appeals council
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the ALJ, you can file a request for review with the Social Security Appeals Council. The Appeals Council is a group of SSA employees who review cases that an ALJ has decided. If they agree to review your claim, they will either decide on it themselves or send it back to the ALJ for further proceedings.
File a civil suit in federal district court
Your last option for appealing a denied benefits claim is filing a civil lawsuit with the federal district court. If you win your case, the court will order the SSA to provide you with the benefits that you are entitled to. If you lose, you will not receive any benefits and may even be ordered to pay back any benefits you have already received.
Appealing a decision on disability benefits can be a long and challenging process. However, it is important to remember that you have rights and options available. Ensure that you gather sufficient evidence to build a strong case for your appeal.