You Have the Right to Take Your Case to Federal Court
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) Appeals Council reviews a Social Security Disability (SSD) case, the council may grant your request, it may determine that the administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing decision was correct or it may dismiss the request. If you have received a denial from the Appeals Council, the next step is to appeal your case in federal court.
The Law Offices of Coats & Todd represents SSD claimants in Austin and throughout Texas who wish to appeal their cases in federal court. With more than 40 years of experience, our lawyers have the knowledge and skill to fight for your right to SSD benefits. For a free initial consultation, please call 800-856-1031 or contact us online.
What Happens Next?
Taking your SSA case to federal court is the end of the administrative process and the beginning of the civil action process. If you decide to take your case to federal court, you need an attorney who has experience in federal court SSA appeals.
If the Appeals Council denies your claim or if it decides not to review your case, an attorney can file a civil action in the United States District Court for the judicial district in which you live. You have 60 days from the Appeals Council denial to file a lawsuit in a federal District Court.
You do not appear in court at this stage. We will submit a written brief and a federal appeals judge will review the record of your entire case. The judge can deny your appeal, remand the case to the Appeals Council or an administrative law judge (ALJ) to review for legal errors, or grant your request for benefits.
If the judge denies your appeal, you may then file your case with the 5th Circuit U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Similar to the U.S. District Court process, you do not appear in court at this time. As your attorneys, we will prepare and submit a written brief to the court. The Court of Appeals can order another hearing or it can deny your appeal.
At this stage, your final recourse is the U.S. Supreme Court; however, it is extremely rare for the Supreme Court to hear an SSA case.
Appealing Your Austin Case in Federal Court
If you live in the Austin area, please call us today at 800-856-1031. We offer free initial consultations.
