If your initial SSDI application is denied, you might feel discouraged and you may also wonder if you are simply not qualified for SSDI benefits. However, the majority of applications for SSDI are denied and you will be allowed to re-file for reconsideration. In order to help maximize your chances of being approved, you should consult with a disability claims lawyer.

Why You Must Act Now

You will only have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. If you file a request for reconsideration within the deadline, your request will be sent back to the SSA. In some cases, it might be sent to the same office that denied your claim originally. However, your claim will not be reviewed by the same examiner.

However, if there were issues with your claim that caused it to be denied, and these issues are not solved, your claim is likely to be denied again. Therefore, you will need to speak with a disability attorney for help so you can be guided through the process. 

Send Your Medical Documents

You will be asked to send your medical documents again. This is especially important if you underwent a new treatment and will need to send documents in to prove that you received these treatments. 

You may be required to undergo a consultative medical examination. This is an examination that is carried out by an independent doctor to provide more recent documentation on your claim. In some cases, the previous examiner may have mishandled your claim so much that your claim might be approved without making any changes to your application, but this is extremely rare.

Application Reconsideration Processing Time

The application processing time will take as long as it took to originally process your application. While your chances of being approved are relatively low, even if you are being guided by legal counsel, it is still worthwhile to file this request because you will then be able to move on to the next stage: the hearing. At the hearing, you have a much greater chance of succeeding.

When your hearing is scheduled, you'll have several weeks to prepare. Your odds of success will be much higher if you are properly prepared. For example, you will want to attend the hearing with a statement from your doctor. Also, if your attorney knows the judge very well, they will know their preferences and your case can be prepared in the most effective way.