CAN YOU REOPEN AN OLD SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIM?

There are two ways a disability claimant can ask the Social Security Administration (SSA) to review a denied claim for Social Security or SSI benefits: by appealing the denial or by reopening the previously denied claim. Both of these methods can result in an approval of benefits and an award of backpay.

I recently got a judge to reopen an old previously denied claim and won a back pay award of over $120.000. You may request that a claim be reopened within 12 months of closing for any reason. After 12 months, you may request a claim be reopened for good reason--new and material evidence.

Your disability attorney or advocate can advise you on the best course of action: appeal a denied claim, reopen a denied claim, or file a new claim.

Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the denial date. If you miss that deadline, it may be possible to reopen the denied claim.

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Charles W. Forsythe is a founding partner of The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL, dedicated to helping the disabled obtain Social Security benefits. (256) 799-0297.

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