Social Security

Appeals FAQs

Will I continue to receive benefits?

Sometimes, you may request that the Social Security Administration (SSA) keep paying your benefits while you await the results to your appeal. Your benefits will continue when:

• You file an appeal to overturn the decision that you are no longer eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits because your current condition of health is not considered disabling.
• You file an appeal to overturn the decision that you are not entitled to be the recipient of SSI payments or that your SSI payment should be lowered or deferred.

If you are expecting to receive your benefits without a lapse, you must notify the SSA within ten days of the day you receive the notice in the mail.

Can someone assist me with my appeal?

Yes, many people deal with their own Social Security appeals with guidance provided by the SSA free of charge. However, you have the option of selecting an attorney, friend, or someone else for advice. This person is known as a "representative." The SSA will collaborate with your representative the same way they'd work in conjunction with you. Your representative can act on your behalf during negotiations with the SSA and will be issued a statement regarding any new decisions the SSA makes to address your claim. Your representative does not have the right to charge you a fee without written approval from the SSA. If you are interested in having a representative, contact the SSA to obtain the article Your Right to Representation, or locate the file on their website. You also have the option of calling the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives (NOSSCR) at 1-800-431-2804 for more information.

How can I contact Social Security?

For more information and access to SSA publications, visit the website www.socialsecurity.gov, or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. For the deaf or hearing impaired, call 1-800-325-0778. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while information is available through an automated service 24 hours a day. All calls are confidential, but to be sure you receive accurate and polite service, some calls are monitored by another Social Security representative.