Social Security Administration Disability Claim Disposition Data

The most recent data provided by Social Security Administration shows that over 2 million people applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and 62% were denied on their initial application.

Once the SSA disability claim was appealed at the Request for Reconsideration, 16% were approved, while 84% were denied again. Unfortunately, many disabled individuals do not know that there is another step to file a Request for Hearing with SSA.

Once a claim is sent to the SSA's Office of Hearing Operations, it is generally assigned to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to review the claim. At the hearing level, on national averages 51% of the claims are approved, however 33% were denied, and 16% were dismissed.

If the ALJ denies the claim, a Request for Review can be filed with the Appeals Council (AC). At this level, only 1% of the claims are approved, and 16% were sent back to the ALJ for further adjudication through a remand. The remaining over 80% of disability claims are typically turned down by the AC and issued a denial of review.

After a denial of review by the AC, a lawsuit can be brought in federal court to challenge the findings of the Social Security Administration, however, the case review by the federal judges is limited to certain issues and discretionary findings by SSA.

Attorney Brent Klender has represented Disabled Individuals throughout the United States with their claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for over 20 years. CALL: (210) 734-0918 or (260) 600-2272,