If we recently denied your claim for retirement, disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a nonmedical related issue, you can appeal our decision. Generally, you have 60 days after you receive the notice of our decision to ask for any type of appeal. There are four levels of appeal:
- Reconsideration.
- Hearing by an administrative law judge.
- Review by the Appeals Council.
- Federal Court review (please see the bottom of this page for information on the Federal Court review process).
You can request an appeal online for a reconsideration, a hearing by an administrative law judge, and a review by the Appeals Council, even if you live outside of the United States. You will receive confirmation online when you complete your request. When we made the first determination on your claim, we sent you a letter explaining our determination. This letter contains guidance on what level of appeal you should select.
To learn more about each appeal level, visit Information About Social Security's Hearings and Appeals Process.
Request a Reconsideration Online for a Medical Determination
If we recently denied your disability claim for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online.
A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first determination. We will look at all the evidence used in the first determination, plus any new evidence that we obtain or that you submit.
Request Medical Reconsideration Continue Request for Medical Reconsideration You Started
Request a Reconsideration Online for a Nonmedical Determination
If we denied your application for a reason that is not disability related, you can request a nonmedical appeal online. Nonmedical reasons may include a denial due to income, resources, overpayments, or living arrangements.
Request Nonmedical Reconsideration
Check the Status of Your Reconsideration
Whether you filed your appeal online, by mail, or in an office, you can check the status of your appeal using your personal my Social Security account. A personal my Social Security account is an easy, convenient, and secure way to do business with us. If you don’t have one, you can create one today.
Request a Hearing Online
If you disagree with the determination we made at the reconsideration level, you may ask for a hearing. A hearing is a review of your claim by an administrative law judge, or ALJ, who did not take part in the first or reconsideration determination. You may request a hearing online.
After you submit your request for a hearing, your local office will send your request for a hearing to one of our hearing offices for action. You will receive information from the hearing office about the hearing process, and a notice when your hearing has been scheduled.
Request Medical Hearing Continue Medical Hearing Request You Started Request Nonmedical Hearing
Check the Status of Your Hearing
Once you file your request for a hearing, you can check the status of your hearing using your personal my Social Security account. A personal my Social Security account is an easy, convenient, and secure way to do business with us. If you don’t have one, you can create one today.
Request an Appeals Council review of a decision or dismissal made by an administrative law judge
If you disagree with the hearing decision, you may request a review by Social Security’s Appeals Council online. If the Appeals Council grants your request for review, it may deny or dismiss your request if it finds the hearing decision is in accordance with Social Security law and regulations. The Appeals Council may also decide to issue a new decision or return it to an administrative law judge for further action.
If you disagree with the Appeals Council's decision, or were denied your request for review, you can file a civil action in a Federal district court. This is the last level of the appeals process. Currently, filing a Federal Court review is not available online. To learn more about this process, visit Federal Court Review Process.
Appeal forms are available for download at www.ssa.gov/forms. You can also call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or contact your local Social Security office to request appeal forms be sent to you.