SSI Denial Attorney in Georgia

Common Reasons SSI Claims Are Denied

An SSI denial notice states the decision and provides information about the claimant’s next step. Read the full notice carefully because a denial may concern medical eligibility, non-medical eligibility, or both.

Common reasons for a denied claim include:

• Incomplete or inconsistent medical records: The available records may not fully document the condition, its severity, or its effect on daily function.
• Missing employment details: Incomplete information about past duties may affect how the agency evaluates the ability to work.
• Missed requirements or deadlines: Late forms, missed examinations, or an untimely appeal can affect a claim.
• Ability to perform other work: The agency may find that the claimant can adjust to work other than a previous job.
• Failure to follow prescribed treatment: The agency may consider whether the claimant followed treatment prescribed by a medical provider.

Supplemental Security Income also has non-medical requirements involving income, resources, and living arrangements. These differ from Social Security Disability Insurance work-credit requirements. Our SSI denial attorneys in Georgia examine the findings behind the decision rather than assuming the denial was based only on medical evidence.

SSI Appeal Deadlines & Levels of Review

An SSI claimant generally must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving an initial determination notice. The agency presumes the claimant received the notice five days after the printed date unless the claimant proves otherwise. The same 60-day request period generally applies to each subsequent decision.

Reconsideration

Reconsideration is the first appeal level following an initial denial. A written request asks the agency to review the claim again. Additional records and corrections to incomplete information may be submitted with the appeal.

Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If reconsideration doesn’t produce a favorable decision, the claimant may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Written evidence, objections, and pre-hearing statements generally must be submitted no later than five business days before the scheduled hearing. We prepare clients for the questions and issues that may arise during the proceeding.

Appeals Council Review

After an unfavorable hearing decision, a claimant may request Appeals Council review. The Council considers new evidence when it’s material, relates to the period on or before the hearing decision, and is reasonably likely to change the outcome. A written request is generally due within 60 days of receiving the hearing decision.

Federal Court Review

The final appeal level is a civil action in U.S. District Court. It generally must be filed within 60 days of receiving the council’s action notice. Federal Court review focuses on whether the agency applied the law correctly and whether its findings have adequate support in the administrative record.

Appeal processing times vary, so we don’t rely on an estimated schedule when advising a claimant about the next step. We focus on the deadline stated in the notice, the available evidence, and the requirements of the current appeal stage.