ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

Claims, Decisions, and Appeals

Can I appeal a Social Security Administration (SSA) administrative hearing decision?

Yes. You have sixty days to file a written appeal with the SSA Appeals Council in Washington, D.C. The council will review the file and issue a decision. You and your representative do not appear before the Appeals Council, but you can add additional information to your file. If you wish to appeal the decision further, you must sue the SSA in federal district court.