Practice Area — Appeals
Many of our clients come to us having already been denied. We help clients understand what may have gone wrong, strengthen the evidence supporting their claim, and move forward with experienced representation during the appeals process.
Reconsideration is the first level of appeal after an initial denial. A different SSA reviewer examines the file, often with the same gaps the first reviewer relied on. Reconsideration is where many cases are quietly lost — not because the evidence is weak, but because no one has gone back to strengthen it.
If reconsideration is denied, the next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The judge reviews the record, hears your testimony, and often takes testimony from a vocational expert and a medical expert. This is the stage at which most favorable decisions are made, and the stage at which preparation matters most.
If an Administrative Law Judge issues an unfavorable decision, the Appeals Council can review the hearing decision for errors of law, unsupported findings, or procedural problems. Attain represents claimants at this administrative level.
If the Appeals Council denies review or issues an unfavorable decision, the next step may be review in federal district court. Attain does not handle federal court litigation directly; when appropriate, we can discuss referral options with a licensed attorney who handles federal court review of Social Security cases.
You generally have sixty days from the date of a denial to request the next level of review. Missing that window typically forces you to start over with a new application, which can mean lost back pay and a much harder case. Acting quickly preserves your rights and your timeline.
By the time a case reaches a hearing, the record needs to be complete. We obtain the full agency file, request updated treatment records, secure functional assessments from treating providers, and identify the listings and vocational rules most favorable to your case. Anything the agency missed, we put back in.
At the hearing, we present your case, prepare you for the judge's questions, and cross-examine the vocational and medical experts. Their testimony often decides the case, and how they are questioned can shift the outcome entirely.
Every stage of the appeals process has a deadline, and every delay compounds. The sooner experienced representation is involved, the more can be done to build the record correctly, meet each deadline, and position the case for approval at the earliest possible stage.
Next Step
Speak with an experienced representative about your situation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
