# How to appeal an SSI denial

SSI appeals use forms SSA-561 (reconsideration) or SSA-501 (non-medical reconsideration for financial denials). If denied at reconsideration you can request an Administrative Law Judge hearing within 60 days.

**Direct answer:** You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to file a written appeal; the first level for SSI is 'reconsideration' — the same as SSDI — with the same four-step appeals path afterward.

**Direct answer:** You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to file a written appeal; the first level for SSI is 'reconsideration' — the same as SSDI — with the same four-step appeals path afterward.

## How do I appeal an SSI denial?
SSI appeals use form SSA-561 (reconsideration) or SSA-501 (non-medical reconsideration for financial denials). If denied at reconsideration you can request an Administrative Law Judge hearing within 60 days. Current approval rates at each appeal stage are published in SSA's SSI Annual Statistical Report.

## Where does this rule live in SSA's regulations?
SSA publishes the SSI eligibility rules on the SSI Eligibility page. When SSA's public page and this article differ, ssa.gov controls.

## What if I'm not sure I qualify?
Apply anyway. SSA determines eligibility on the facts of your case, and application itself protects the earliest possible filing date. There is no penalty for applying and being denied.

## Sources
- SSA — Understanding SSI Eligibility — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibility-ussi.htm
- SSA — 2026 SSI Federal Payment Amounts — https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSI.html
- SSA — SSI Spotlights — https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/

## Related questions
- [SSI — Supplemental Security Income Complete Guide (2026)](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi)
- [SSI vs SSDI](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi)
- [The SSDI Application Process](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/application-process)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSI vs SSDI — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssi-vs-ssdi

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