Appeal an SSDI Denial
Upload your SSDI denial notice. AI identifies the findings, deadline, and evidence gaps, then builds your appeal for certified mailing to the SSA.
What this denial means
An SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) denial means the SSA determined you are not disabled under their rules — usually because they believe your condition is not severe enough, will not last 12 months, or you can still perform work. You have 60 days to appeal, and the appeal process has multiple stages: reconsideration, ALJ hearing, and Appeals Council.
Who this is for
Anyone who applied for Social Security Disability Insurance and received a denial notice. This includes initial applications, reconsiderations, and ALJ hearing denials. If you were denied at any stage, you can appeal to the next level within 60 days.
Common reasons for denial
- The SSA says your condition is not severe enough to prevent work
- The SSA says your condition will not last at least 12 months
- Insufficient medical evidence to support your claim
- The SSA says you can still perform your past work
- The SSA says you can adjust to other work
- You did not follow prescribed treatment
- Your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit
What information matters
The most critical elements are: the stage of your appeal (initial, reconsideration, ALJ, Appeals Council), the 60-day deadline, medical evidence documenting your condition and its severity, and the specific findings the SSA made in your denial letter. The SSA assumes you received the denial 5 days after the date on the letter, so you effectively have 65 days.
Documents to prepare
- Your SSDI denial or decision notice
- Medical records from all treating providers
- A letter from your doctor describing your limitations
- Medication list and treatment history
- Work history (to show you cannot perform past work)
- Any prior decisions or reconsideration determinations
- Contact information for current medical providers
Deadline guidance
You have 60 days from the date on your denial notice to file an appeal. The SSA assumes you received the notice 5 days after the date on the letter, so you effectively have 65 days. If you miss the deadline, you generally have to start a new application. Certified mail is critical for SSA appeals — it provides proof of timely filing.
What Appeal Mail does
Appeal Mail analyzes your SSDI denial notice with AI to identify the stage, the findings, the deadline, and what medical evidence you need. It drafts a reconsideration or hearing request that addresses each finding, references your evidence, and follows SSA formatting. You review, approve, and send by certified mail with proof of delivery.
Upload
Your denial letter
Analyze
AI identifies issues
Build
Draft + validate
Send
Certified mail
You pay for the work and the physical packet—not a mystery bundle.
Mailing is added at the final approved packet: Standard $5.49, Certified $12.49, or Registered $29.99. Your exact total is calculated after the response and supporting documents are assembled.
Build and send your appeal
Upload your SSI decision. Gemini analyzes the actual document, builds a response, and keeps you in control before anything is mailed.
Start with your SSI decision
PDF, PNG, or JPG. No retyping required.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to appeal an SSDI denial?
You have 60 days from the date on your denial notice. The SSA assumes you received it 5 days after the date on the letter, giving you effectively 65 days. If you miss the deadline, you usually have to start over with a new application.
What are the stages of an SSDI appeal?
There are four stages: (1) Initial application, (2) Reconsideration, (3) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, and (4) Appeals Council. You can appeal to each next stage within 60 days of the prior denial. Appeal Mail supports the reconsideration and ALJ stages.
Do I need a disability attorney for an SSDI appeal?
You are not required to have an attorney, but many people get one for the ALJ hearing stage. Attorneys typically work on contingency (25% of back pay, up to $7,200). Appeal Mail helps you prepare the appeal letter yourself — but it does not replace legal representation.
Can I appeal an SSI denial the same way?
Yes. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) appeals follow the same 60-day deadline and multi-stage process as SSDI. Appeal Mail has a dedicated SSI denial workflow with the same analysis, drafting, and certified mailing capabilities.
Why is certified mail important for SSA appeals?
The SSA requires proof of timely filing. Certified mail with a return receipt gives you a tracking number and delivery confirmation — legal proof that your appeal was received within the 60-day window. This protects you if the SSA claims your appeal was late.