Appeals Council Representation

Social Security claimants who are not awarded benefits following their hearing in front of the Administrative Law Judge must consider whether or not they wish to appeal their denial to the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council represents the final level of the administrative appeals process allowed in front of the Social Security Administration. The Appeals Council can reverse the Unfavorable Decision and award benefits, remand the claim for further proceedings or, if they find no error, deny further review of the claim. If the Appeals Council denies further review of the claim a client can proceed to Federal District Court. Clients who were denied benefits following a hearing in front of the Administrative Law Judge have 60 days from the day they received the decision to appeal the denial. Ms. Patton can assist clients with appealing their unfavorable decisions to the Appeals Council. Ms. Patton will evaluate your claim and discuss your potential appeal with you.

Since the Social Security Administration will not allow a claimant make a new application for benefits while their claim is pending at the Appeals Council the decision to appeal or not is sometimes a difficult choice. Ms. Patton will explain the benefits and the drawbacks of appealing to the Appeals Council vs making a new application for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Many clients need assistance with determining whether or not they should appeal their denial or begin with a new claim and Ms. Patton is happy to discuss this with them.

Ms. Patton can assist you with the process of appealing an unfavorable decision to the Appeals Council. She will make Social Security aware of your decision to appeal in a timely manner, gather any missing evidence that could make a different in the outcome of your claim, review the evidence and testimony in your claim and write a brief arguing why a client’s claim should have been approved. Ms. Patton will discuss the expected time frames at the Appeals Council level, however, this is a lengthy process and clients should not expect a quick resolution. If the Appeals Council agrees that errors or mistakes were made in the unfavorable decision they could reverse your claim and award benefits or remand your claim for further proceedings. If the Appeals Council denies review of your claim Ms. Patton can discuss your options for proceeding to Federal District Court with you and represent you in that action. Ms. Patton works on a contingency fee basis when representing clients at the Appeals Council level. This means that Ms. Patton is only paid if you win your claim and receive your benefits.

Ms. Patton and her office staff can also assist clients who choose to make a new application for benefits instead of appealing an unfavorable decision to the Appeals Council. Ms. Patton’s office staff will assist you by filing your application; Ms. Patton will discuss with you what evidence is needed or what actions can be taken to improve your chances of success on your new application. Ms. Patton works on a contingency fee basis when representing clients who are starting new applications for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims. This means that Ms. Patton is only paid if you win your claim and receive your benefits.