As discussed in the Social Security stages answer, depending on the state you live in, there are either 5 or 6 potential appeals in Social Security.

Appeal 1: Reconsideration by the state agency

Appeal 2: Request for hearing

Appeal 3: Request for Appeals Council review

Appeal 4: US District Court

Appeal 5: US Court of Appeals

Appeal 6: US Supreme Court

Most Social Security cases are resolved at the first three appeals. The last three are Federal Court appeals. At each step of the federal appeals process, there are fewer and fewer appeals. 

Since Colorado is a pilot program state, there is no Reconsideration appeal in disability claims (although it is still an appeal step in Cessation and Overpayment cases). If you are formally denied disability, the first appeal is a hearing request. This generally speeds up the process as, in my opinion, the chances of Social Security approved a denied claim at the reconsideration level are fairly small.

Last updated on January 17, 2012 by stasiukfirm