Working adults who develop debilitating medical conditions sometimes need to stop working before they reach retirement age. They may not have enough in savings to support themselves when they can no longer earn income.
In those cases, they may need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Applicants who have sufficient work history and enough medical documentation to validate that they cannot work due to their health challenges may qualify for SSDI benefits quickly in some cases.
However, a substantial portion of applicants receive rejection notices and must appeal to get the benefits they require. Reconsideration by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is usually the first step in that process.
What happens during an SSDI reconsideration?
A reconsideration is an internal process conducted by the SSA when applicants appeal a denied claim. Applicants can correct any errors or omissions in their initial paperwork. They may submit additional medical documentation that validates the extent of their medical challenges.
An SSA employee who did not participate in the assessment of the original application reviews the application, any corrections and any supplemental materials provided during this early appeals process. Reconsideration can be a quick process, resulting in a changed decision in a matter of days or weeks.
If another professional working for the SSA determines that the initial denial of benefits was an error that technically violated SSA standards, the applicant receives an approval notice. If the reconsideration process is not successful, the applicant can proceed to the next stage of appeal, which involves a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
Having guidance when applying for SSDI benefits or appealing a denied application can make the process easier to manage. Professionals who can no longer work may require support as they apply for SSDI benefits.