Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is a confusing process for many people. It is quite common for people to make technical mistakes when filling out their applications for benefits. It is also common for people to fail to provide adequate medical documentation to corroborate their claims of significant disability.
Either of these mistakes can result in a failed application. If you have received a rejection notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you need to take action soon to file an appeal. If you do not, you may have to start the application process over again.
How long do you have to appeal?
When the SSA denies your benefits application, the clock starts ticking. You have 60 days to appeal that decision. If your appeal is successful, you can receive SSDI benefits while you remain unable to work.
You must notify the SSA before those 60 days end of your intent to appeal. The actual appeal process can take months and involves stages ranging from having another worker review your application to court hearings and beyond.
What is the benefit of filing an appeal?
You may have to wait months for a hearing after the SSA initially rejects your benefit claim. However, if you are successful, you can receive backdated benefits going all the way to when you first applied. If you fail to appeal and reapply, the option for those backdated benefits will likely disappear at that time.
Realizing that you have to act quickly can help you get the SSDI benefits you need and protect your right to backdated benefits when the SSA ultimately approves your application.