Should I Appeal my Social Security Disability Denial of Benefits?

The short answer is that you should always appeal the denial of your initial Application and the denial upon Reconsideration. You should always have your hearing before the Administrative Law Judge because this is your best chance to have your disability benefits awarded to you. It is your right to present your evidence, to testify on your own behalf, and to present witnesses if you so desire.

If you are denied social security benefits at the hearing level, you can then appeal to the Appeals Council and to the U.S. District Court and eventually to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. However, prevailing in an appeal after the hearing level is more difficult and each case must be carefully analyzed to determine whether or not the unfavorable decision was supported by substantial evidence.