You Can and Should Keep Track of the Status of Your Social Security Disability Claim
When you apply for Social Security Disability, your application will go through a few stages before it reaches a person who will either accept or deny your claim. During this process, you can check on the status of your claim to see if there have been any changes or decisions made. You should keep track of where your claim is within the review process for a number of reasons:
- If there was an error in the paperwork of the initial application, or if it was not received, you want to know as soon as possible so that you do not lose any benefits.
- If your claim has been rejected or denied at any point in the process, you don’t want to wait to file an appeal as you only have 60 days from the date of the denial to appeal it.
- If you need to change your address or your bank, you want to make sure that new information is recorded, and that the Social Security Administration is aware of it before they send out your benefits.
In sum, by keeping an eye on where your claim is, you can avoid losing out on benefits if something goes awry along the way. If you work with a Maryland Social Security Disability attorney, he or she will keep track of the status of your claim, so you don’t have to worry about it. Otherwise, you can contact your local SSA office by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or check the status of your claim online.
What happens if your disability claim is rejected?
If you submit your application for disability benefits, and Disability Determination Services (DDS) does not request any further information, then your claim will be processed and a decision will be mailed to you. If your claim is denied, there are four possible steps you may need to take depending on what level your claim is at when it is denied:
- Request a reconsideration of your claim by another SSA employee
- Request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ)
- Request a review by the Appeals Council
- Take your appeal to federal court
Most cases do not reach step four, but this is one reason why working with an experienced Maryland SSD attorney is a good choice; if you do need to go to federal court, you will need an attorney who is admitted to practice in front of a federal judge, and can represent your best interests.
Other information on Social Security Disability claims that may interest you
Can You File for Unemployment While Waiting for Social Security Disability?
If you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits by the SSA, you have options available to you. For more than 35 years, ill and disabled workers have relied on Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. to help them obtain the benefits they need. To work with a skilled Maryland SSD lawyer, please call 410-730-7737, or fill out our contact form.
Bruce Plaxen was honored as the 2009 Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Maryland Association for Justice. For more information on his legal background, please visit his attorney bio.