What happens if Social Security denies my claim for disability benefits?
Only about 40% of Social Security disability claims are approved at the initial level. If the initial claim is denied and the claimant requests reconsideration, the case is then sent to another disability examiner for another review. Unfortunately, about 80% of the time the reconsideration decision is a denial. If this happens, the claimant may then request a hearing with a Social Security Administrative Law Judge. This judge makes an independent decision upon the claim. This is the only level at which the claimant has a face-to-face meeting with a judge. If the Administrative Law Judge denies the claim, the claim can be appealed to the Appeals Council.
