Don’t be surprised if Social Security denies your claim for benefits. Most people’s initial claims are denied. The real question is:  What should you do now?

One option is to submit a new disability application. The drawback of this approach, however, is that your new application will be considered by the same state Disability Determination Service (DDS) that denied your original claim. Simply re-applying does not improve your chances for a successful claim.

A second option is to appeal the denial. You have 60 days from the date of your denial to request a reconsideration and appeal. This process will bring your case before a judge. On average, Social Security judges approve about 60 percent of the claims they consider on appeal.

If you decide to appeal, you may wish to consult an attorney. An attorney at Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. can analyze your claim and help you make an effective presentation to the judge. We have represented adults and children with a wide range of disabilities, including attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression, anxiety, broken bones, knee injuries and chronic pain. Contact attorney John Borgmeyer to discuss your Social Security disability claim.