The 3 Steps to Appeal a Social Security Disability Denial in Louisiana

Having your disability claim denied can be frustrating.If you believe you were unjustly denied Social Security disability benefits, the next step is to appeal the ruling.

You need to get started on your appeal as soon as possible.

The appeals process is complicated and can take a considerable amount of time, but acting quickly can help you receive the benefits you need as soon as possible.

When pursuing an appeal of a denied Social Security disability claim, it is often helpful to have the assistance of a qualified Louisiana Social Security disability lawyer to help guide you through the process.

Attorney Loyd J. Bourgeois is fully prepared to provide assistance and representation to Louisiana residents who are struggling to get the disability benefits they need.

Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial in Louisiana

In Louisiana, there are three major steps in appealing a denial of Social Security benefits. We summarize these steps here.

Step One: Hearing With an Administrative Law Judge

The first step after an initial denial for most Louisiana Social Security disability claims is to file a Request for Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

This is generally the most important step of the entire Social Security disability benefits appeal process because it is where you have the best chance of winning your claim.

Important requirements to be aware of include the following:

• You are eligible to request an ALJ hearing if you have received a Notice of Denial from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
• Your request for an ALJ hearing must be made either in writing or online at the SSA.gov website.
• The request process requires you to update your personal information and provide additional information about your disability in order to be considered for benefits during the appeals process.
• Your request for a hearing must be made within 60 days of a Notice of Denial unless you have good cause for not appealing within the 60 days.

At the hearing, you will present all of your medical evidence to establish that you have a severe medical condition that limits your ability to work and prevents you from completing the work you did in the past and any other work.

Depending on the specific facts of your case, a vocational expert and a medical expert may be asked to testify.

Step Two: Appeals Council

Even though an ALJ hearing offers the best chance of success for obtaining your disability benefits, you may still be denied by the ALJ.

If the ALJ denies your claim, the next appeal is to the Social Security Administration’s Appeals Council.

You request Appeals Council review by filing a Request for Review of a Hearing Decision.

Key points in this process include:

• This appeal must be filed within 60 days of receiving the denial notice from the ALJ hearing, unless you have good cause for not appealing within the 60 days.
• The Appeals Council generally reviews the ALJ decision to determine whether the judge made a mistake or error of law or fact in the decision. You may submit new and material evidence to the Appeals Council if it is available.
• The Appeals Council can deny an appeal completely (ALJ’s decision stands), reverse the ALJ decision and grant benefits, or send the case back to an ALJ with specific instructions for another hearing.

When your claim gets to the Appeals Council, there is usually no appearance or testimony taken by the Appeals Council. The Council simply reviews the evidence contained in your file along with the ALJ’s decision and makes a determination.

Step Three: Federal District Court

If your claim has been denied by the ALJ and Appeals Council, the next option is to appeal the decision to the federal district court, subject to the following requirements:

• An appeal must be filed within 60 days of receiving a denial from the Appeals Council unless you have good cause for not appealing within the 60 days.
• A civil complaint must be filed in order for an applicant to appeal the decision of the Appeals Council. This complaint should be filed with the Federal District Court with jurisdiction over the area in which you reside.
• You will act as the plaintiff during the case. The defendant is the Commissioner of the SSA, who is represented by the United States Attorney for your district. SSA does not assist applicants with filing a civil complaint. A good idea is to contact an attorney who is experienced in federal court petitions to assist with this process. If you do not follow federal court rules properly, your case may be dismissed.

The judge in a federal district court case has three options:

1. Affirm the decision of the SSA Appeals Council. This means that the denial stands.
2. Reverse the decision of the SSA Appeals Council and grant benefits.
3. Remand (return) the case back to the ALJ or Appeals Council with specific instructions.

Contact an Attorney for Your Social Security Claim Appeal in Louisiana

If you are considering pursuing an appeal of your Social Security claim denial, the help of a qualified legal professional can prove invaluable.

Contact the offices of Loyd J. Bourgeois by calling (985) 240-9773 to learn more about what steps need to be taken in order to successfully appeal your denied claim.