Should I Appeal a Denied Claim or File a New Application?

If your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is denied, you should appeal as soon as possible.

Barbara, in San Diego, California, asks “My SSDI application was denied. Should I appeal or file a new application?”

If your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is denied, you should appeal as soon as possible.

The Social Security Administration denies about 70% of the initial applications for SSDI and SSI.

If you file a reconsideration appeal, the Social Security Administration will take another look at your claim, but chances are that your claim will still be denied (about 80-85% of the reconsideration appeals are denied). However, now that your appeal has been denied, you can request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. This judicial hearing is statistically your best chance of being awarded benefits. Over 60% of claims are approved at these judicial hearings.

Chances are very good that if your initial application is denied once, then it is going to be denied again if you fill out a new application.

You should definitely appeal your denied claim. Appealing a claim is a necessary step in the process of getting your case heard by an administrative law judge.

If you recently have had an SSDI or SSI claim denied, contact an experienced disability attorney who specialized in Social Security Disability. Having an attorney will increase your chance of being awarded disability benefits.