Effective January 6, 2025, SSA will highly recommend that customers schedule an appointment for service in field offices, including requests for Social Security cards. SSA encourages customers to become accustomed to their:
**Walk-ins to local offices who are unable to make an appointment or do not want to make an appointment will not be turned away for service. Some SSA offices also have minimal to no wait times, and they will still serve customers who walk in.
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NOTE: Be aware of scammers impersonating SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) agents who request in-person cash handoffs. Never give cash to anyone claiming to be an SSA OIG agent.
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Those who are blind or disabled or over 65 years old may be eligible for one or both of these programs. Applications are submitted through the local Social Security office. Many applications are denied at first.
If SSA denies an application for benefits or decides that the applicant is no longer eligible for benefits, or that their payments should be changed, Social Security will send them a letter explaining their decision. If the applicant doesn’t agree with the decision, the applicant can ask the agency to reconsider.
When and How Can I Appeal?
If an initial application is denied, the applicant has 60 days to file a Request for Reconsideration. They can file an appeal with their local Social Security office or on the SSA website (https://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeals). A reconsideration is a complete review of an applicant’s claim by someone else who did not take part in the first decision. If the claim is denied again, the applicant can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If the applicant disagrees with the hearing decision, they may ask for a review by the Social Security’s Appeal Council. If the applicant disagrees with the Appeals Council’s decision or if the Appeals Council decides not to review the case, the applicant may file a lawsuit in a federal district court.
Can Someone Help Me File an Appeal?
Many people handle their own Social Security appeals with free help from SSA. They can also choose a lawyer, a friend, or someone else to help them. The representative can act in most Social Security matters and will receive a copy of any decisions made about the claim. The representative cannot charge or collect a fee without first getting written approval from Social Security.
Contacting a lawyer or calling a legal service group as soon as one asks for a hearing or case review helps one’s chances of winning an appeal. Legal services lawyers know the rules and regulations and can help get all the medical and other evidence needed to help win an appeal.
Will My Benefits Continue While My Case is Being Appealed?
In some cases, an applicant may ask SSA to continue paying benefits while a decision is being made on an appeal. One can ask for this continuation of benefits when:
If the applicant wants their benefits to continue, they must tell SSA within 10 days of the date they receive the notification letter. If the applicant’s appeal is turned down, they may have to pay back any money that they weren’t eligible to receive.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
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SOURCES: Social Security Administration
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2026