How to Fill Out an Appeal in Regard to a Long-Term Disability Claim That Was Denied
- 1). Read the letter of decision that you received in the mail from the SSA. The letter will provide the reason for the denial and instructions on how to appeal if you disagree with the outcome.
- 2). Fill out and electronically submit an appeal request form on the SSA's Internet Appeal website. If you do not want to fill out the form online, you may request for an appeal over the phone by contacting the SSA toll-free at 800-772-1213 or at your local SSA office. Inform the operator that you would like to appeal a denial but that you do not want to use the Internet Appeal system. Or print out and complete a Request for Reconsideration form that you can obtain from the SSA's website.
- 3). Complete and submit an Appeal Disability Report online using the Internet Appeal system. The Appeal Disability Report gives you the opportunity to inform the SSA of any medical changes since you initially submitted your application. If you had changes in your medical condition, treatment, health care providers or work activity, provide this information on the Appeal Disability Report. You may also print out and complete a hard copy of the report from SSA's website or complete the report over the phone.
- 4). Download and fill out the Authorization to Disclose Information form from the SSA website. By completing and signing the authorization form, you are giving permission to the SSA to obtain information about your medical condition from your health care providers. Mail the completed form to your local SSA office.
- 5). Mail all completed forms to your local SSA office for processing if you chose not to use the Internet Appeal system. The forms you should submit include the Request for Reconsideration form, the Appeal Disability Report and the Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA.
Once your appeal forms and medical records have been reviewed, you will receive a decision in writing. - 6). Proceed to subsequent levels of the appeal process if your appeal was denied and you still disagree with the SSA's decision. There are three more levels of appeal: a hearing by an administrative law judge, an appeals council review and a district court case. Instructions on how to appeal at each level are available in the decision letters.
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