When we make a decision on your claim, we send you a letter explaining our decision. If you do not agree with our decision, you can appeal—that is, ask us to look at your case again.

If You Were Denied For Medical Reasons

If you applied for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits and were denied for medical reasons, you may request an appeal online.

Appeal Medical Decision

If you do not wish to appeal a medical decision online, you can use the Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration. You will also need to submit:

• Form SSA-3441, Disability Report - Appeal, and
• Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration.

If You Disagree With A Non-Medical Decision

You may request an appeal online for a "non-medical" decision.

Appeal Other Decision

If you do not wish to appeal a "non-medical" decision online, you can use the Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration. Some examples of "non-medical" decisions are:

• you were denied another type of benefit, such as retirement or spouse's;
• your disability application was denied because you did not work long enough; or
• you disagree that you received an overpayment we wrote to you about.

A more complete list of decisions you can appeal appears on the Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration.