# SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration

The SSA states that a denied claimant has 60 days from receiving a decision to appeal to the next level. Most claimants who win benefits do so at the ALJ hearing stage. Each level has its own procedures, and a claimant may bring a representative or attorney at any stage.

**Direct answer:** The SSDI appeals process has four levels: Reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), review by the Appeals Council, and finally a lawsuit in federal district court.

## What are the four appeal levels?

    The four levels are (1) Reconsideration, (2) hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, (3) Appeals Council review, and (4) federal district court.

    
## How long do I have to appeal?

    You have 60 days from the date you receive each decision to file the next appeal.

    
## Which level gives the best odds?

    Historically the ALJ hearing has the highest approval rate of any appeal level, and it is the first stage where you appear in front of a decision-maker.

    
## Do I need a lawyer to appeal?

    You are not required to have a lawyer, but [represented claimants are approved at higher rates](/answers/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-ssdi), especially at the hearing level.

## Sources
- SSA — The Appeals Process — https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.html
- SSA — Representative Fees — https://www.ssa.gov/representation/fees.htm

## Related questions
- [How do I appeal an SSDI denial?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/how-do-i-appeal-an-ssdi-denial)
- [What happens at an SSDI hearing?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-happens-at-an-ssdi-hearing)
- [Why was my SSDI denied?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/why-was-my-ssdi-denied)
- [Do I need a lawyer for SSDI?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-ssdi)
## Topics
- SSDI Appeals — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals
- ALJ Hearing — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-happens-at-an-ssdi-hearing
- SSDI Lawyer — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-ssdi

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Published: 2026-07-16T02:34:38.807417+00:00
Modified: 2026-07-16T02:34:38.807417+00:00
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