Appeals Council

If you did not get the desired outcome from the hearing, you can request a review by the Social Security Appeals Council. The SSA can assist you in this request or your advocate or attorney can do it for you.

The Appeals Council does look at all requests for review, but may decide that the hearing decision is right. If it feels that the decision was incorrect, then it will decide on your case or submit it back to the administrative law judge for further review. Whatever decision is made by the Appeals Council, you will be notified in writing of their decision.

Federal Court

If you disagree with the Appeals Council's decision or if the Appeals Council decides not to review your case, you may file a lawsuit in a federal district court. The letter that is sent you will explain how to ask a court to look at your case.