If you live with a disabling disease or injury, you have the right to apply for financial assistance by submitting a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA conducts extensive reviews of claims to determine whether workers qualify for Tennessee Social Security disability benefits.
Unfortunately, a majority of claims come back as denied disability claims by the SSA. Do you have an option to file a disability appeal? The answer is yes, and the appeal process starts by filing a request for reconsideration, which represents a second look at your original claim for financial assistance.
Filing An Appeal For Social Security Disability Benefits In Tennessee
The disability appeal process consists of four steps, which start with a request for reconsideration. In Tennessee, all applicants that receive a denied disability letter have 60 days from the date of receiving the letter to complete the first step of the appeal process.
Applicants that received a denied disability letter can file a request for reconsideration in person at the nearest SSA field office or by calling 800-772-1213 to ask the SSA to mail the necessary documents.
It can take up to four months for you to hear back from the SSA concerning your request for reconsideration. The division of the SSA called Disability Determination Services (DDS) conducts a second review of the same claim that you originally filed with the federal agency. Although DDS examines the same claim, you can strengthen a request for reconsideration by submitting additional persuasive medical evidence, such as a document from your physician that describes why you can no longer work.
Tennessee ALJ Disability Hearings
The second stage of the appeal process for a denied disability claim is the best chance for you to overturn an unfavorable ruling by the SSA concerning the original claim for financial assistance. A hearing held in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ) provides you with the only opportunity during the disability appeal process to present your case in a live setting.
You present your case by submitting medical evidence that includes the results of diagnostic tests, as well as a written statement issued by your doctor that describes the prognosis of you making a full or partial recovery.
Attending an ALJ hearing requires the legal support of a disability attorney to argue in support of awarding you financial assistance to account for your disability symptoms.
Tennessee Office of Hearing Operations Locations
Suite 200
1232 Premier Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Telephone: (877) 833-2721
Fax: (833) 510-0092
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Suite 350
6840 Carothers Parkway
Franklin, TN 37067-6538
Telephone: (866) 568-9450
Fax: (833) 763-0400
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2405 South Wilcox Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660
Telephone: (888) 632-6913
Fax: (833) 710-0403
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
135 Circle Lane
Knoxville, TN 37919
Telephone: (877) 692-3141
Fax: (833) 510-0096
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
309 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Telephone: (866) 348-5830
Fax: (833) 604-0727
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
221 Cumberland Bend
Nashville, TN 37228-1803
Telephone: (877) 583-4103
Fax: (833) 604-0725
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Get Help From a Lawyer That Takes Cases in TN
Hiring a disability attorney during the appeal process my improves your chances of gaining approval for financial assistance. A lawyer can help you gather convincing evidence, as well as ensures you file the correct paperwork before the deadline.
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