​​​Social Security Disability and Veterans Compensation Attorneys

SSA Lawyers P.A.

What Happens During the Appeals Council Review in a Social Security Disability Claim

If your disability claim has been denied after a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you still have options. The next step in the process is to request a review by the Social Security Appeals Council.

At SSA Lawyers PA, we understand how discouraging it can be to receive another denial. But we’re here to help you keep fighting for the benefits you deserve.

What Is the Appeals Council?

The Appeals Council is the fourth step in the Social Security Disability appeals process. It reviews decisions made by administrative law judges to determine whether they were legally sound and based on substantial evidence.

Unlike the hearing stage, this is not another opportunity to present your case in person. Instead, it’s a written review of the hearing decision and case file. The Appeals Council can:

Approve your claim
Send your case back for a new hearing (remand)
Deny your request for review

How to Request an Appeals Council Review

You must request an Appeals Council review within 60 days of receiving the ALJ’s denial decision. Your request must include:

The ALJ’s decision
A written explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect
Any additional medical or legal evidence you want considered

Our team at SSA Lawyers PA handles all of this for our clients, ensuring your request is timely, complete, and persuasive.

What Does the Appeals Council Look For?

The Appeals Council reviews your case to determine whether the judge:

Applied the law incorrectly
Ignored important medical evidence
Made a decision unsupported by the facts
Failed to follow SSA procedures

If any of these errors are found, the Council may remand your case for a new hearing. In rare cases, they may issue a fully favorable decision and award benefits without a second hearing.

How Long Does It Take?

The review process at the Appeals Council can take 12 to 18 months or longer, depending on the complexity of the case and backlog of requests. It’s a slow process—but for many claimants, it’s a necessary one.

How SSA Lawyers PA Helps

Filing an Appeals Council review is much more than submitting a form. It requires a detailed legal brief explaining how the judge erred in your case and why the decision should be overturned or remanded.

At SSA Lawyers PA, we:

Conduct a thorough review of the hearing transcript and ALJ decision
Identify legal and procedural errors
Submit a detailed written argument to the Appeals Council
Gather any new evidence to strengthen your appeal

Our legal team has experience handling complex appeals, and we know how to make your case stand out.

Your Next Step Starts Here

A denial at the hearing level does not mean your case is over. If the ALJ got it wrong, the Appeals Council can step in to correct it—but you need to act fast and be well-prepared.

If you’ve been denied at the hearing level, contact SSA Lawyers PA today. We’ll review your case and guide you through the Appeals Council process with skill and care.

📞 Call for a free consultation: 1-813-221-1300

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