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    We Represent People With:

  • Physical Disabilities and Impairments, Psychiatric and Mental Disorders, Bipolar, PTSD, Deafness, Blindness, HIV/Aids, Cancer, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Depression, Mental Retardation, Cerebral palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Herniated Disk, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Arthritis, Stroke, Seizures, Hepatitis, Heart and Lung disease, Meniere's Disease, Crohn's Disease, Colitis, L.B.S., Myasthenia Gravis, Severe Headaches and Sleep Disorders, Amputation, Vocational Disabilities, MRSA who have wrongfully been denied their benefits.
Home :: FAQ :: After Social Security Disability Hearing

What do you advise with actions before the appeals council?

  1. IF REQUESTING A COPY OF THE RECORD, SUBMIT A CLEAR REQUEST. The request should be clearly stated at the beginning of your correspondence to facilitate support staff screening and action on your request.

  2. SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE OR COMMENTS WITH THE REQUEST FOR REVIEW. For internal review and association purposes, submitting all evidence at the same time would be very helpful.

  3. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE, EXPLAIN HOW IT IS MATERIAL TO THE PERIOD AT ISSUE. In regard to new evidence, the Appeals Council applies 20 CFR §§ 404.970 and 416.1470.

  4. CONTENTIONS SHOULD BE SPECIFIC. It is always a good practice to concisely focus your arguments for a reviewer.  We recommend using 2,000 words or less if possible.

  5. CONTENTIONS DO NOT NEED TO INCLUDE A RECITATION OF THE JURISDICTIONAL HISTORY OR EVIDENCE GENERALLY, UNLESS RELATED TO A SPECIFIC POINT OF CONTENTION. The record is already before the Appeals Council.

  6. CITE TO THE RECORD. Include pages numbers of exhibits.

  7. DO NOT MAKE AUTOMATIC, MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR THE STATUS OF A REQUEST FOR REVIEW. You can verify that the Appeals Council has received the request through your local Social Security office, local hearing office or by calling the Congressional and Public Affairs Branch staff (1-703-605-8000) or the general inquiries staff at the toll-free telephone number (1-800-772-1213).

  8. BE SPECIFIC IN REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF TIME. Requests for extension of time should explain how much additional time is needed and why the request should be granted.