When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance after suffering a serious injury, you may do so because your injury prevents you from earning enough to support yourself otherwise. However, many people in Illinois who apply for these benefits do not receive approval the first time around.
Per the U.S. Social Security Administration, you have the option of appealing the administration’s decision if it denies a claim that you feel has merit. There are four steps in the SSDI appeals process, and the first one involves asking for reconsideration.
What reconsideration means
The SSA may deny your claim for any number of reasons. It may be due to a lack of proper documentation or evidence, or it may be because you meet the criteria for having a partial, but not total, disability. Regardless of why the administration denies your initial claim, you have the option of asking that someone else – who did not have anything to do with denying your first application – take another look to see if he or she reaches the same conclusion.
When to request reconsideration
There are deadlines involved in asking the SSA to reconsider your claim. To move forward, you must file for reconsideration within 60 days of the SSA denying your initial application.
Keep in mind that several things must hold true for your SSDI claim to have merit. Your injury or condition must be long-term in nature. It also has to prevent you from doing not only the work you used to do but other forms of work, too.