People in Boston, Massachusetts who are not able to work because of a long-term medical condition may be interested to know that an initial denial of Social Security Disability benefits can be reviewed. After an individual receives his or her letter of explanation from the Social Security Administration, an appeal can be filed if the individual disagrees with the decision.

There are generally four levels of appeal for the Social Security Disability program. They are reconsideration, hearing by an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council and Federal Court review. The letter containing the decision on an individual's claim provides information on how to begin the appeals process.

Reconsideration involves an entire review of an individual's application. A person who was not a part of the first decision will complete the review and will consider any new evidence. Reconsideration does not require a meeting with a Social Security representative.

If the individual disagrees with the reconsideration decision, the individual can ask for a hearing. An administrative law judge, who was not a part of the original or reconsideration decisions, will hold the hearing. The hearing will be held within 75 miles of the individual's home, and the administrative law judge will inform the individual of the location and time of the hearing. Additional evidence may be requested before the hearing, and the administrative law judge will question the individual and any witnesses the individual brings. Medical and vocational experts may also be present at the hearing. A letter and copy of the judge's decision will be sent after the hearing.

If an individual is not satisfied with the decision after the hearing, she or he can ask for a review by the Social Security's Appeals Council. The Appeals Council looks at all requests for review but may deny a request for review if it agrees with the hearing decision. If the Appeals Council chooses to review an individual's case, it will decide the case or send the case to a different administrative law judge. A letter will be sent by the Appeals Council regarding its decision.

Finally, if an individual disagrees with the Appeals Council, the individual may file a lawsuit in federal court. The letter sent by the Appeals Council offers information on the process.

Source: ssa.gov, "The Appeals Process," Jan. 2008