Did the Appeals Council Deny Your Request?
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) Appeals Council reviews a Social Security Disability (SSD) case, it 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, you may appeal your case in federal court.
The Law Offices of Coats & Todd represents individuals in San Antonio and throughout Texas who wish to appeal their SSD cases in federal court. Our lawyers have more than 40 years of experience battling with the SSA. For a free initial consultation, please call 800-856-1031 or contact us online.
Appealing Your San Antonio Case in Federal Court
Taking your case to federal court is the end of the SSA administrative process and the start of the civil action process. If you decide to take this step, you need an attorney who has experience in federal court SSD appeals.
If the Appeals Council denies your claim or dismisses your request, your lawyer can file a lawsuit 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. Your attorney 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. As in the U.S. District Court process, you do not appear in court at this time. As your attorneys, we will submit a written brief on your behalf. The Court of Appeals can order another hearing on your case or it can deny your appeal.
Your final recourse in the federal appeals process is the U.S. Supreme Court. However, it is extremely rare for the Supreme Court to hear an SSA case.
Contact Us Today
If you live in the San Antonio area, please call us today at 800-856-1031. We offer free initial consultations.
