Once you have gathered information and supporting documents, you are ready to fill out the Social Security appeal forms. You can do this online or on paper.

Deadline

Remember: You have 60 days from the date printed on the top of your notice to submit your appeal in writing, plus another 5 days. Those extra days are for the time it took for your notice to reach you. But if you want to keep getting benefits while Social Security reviews your appeal, you must appeal within 10 days (plus 5) of the date printed on the top of the notice.

Start your appeal

Forms

Appeal online

We recommend that most people appeal online if possible. Follow this link to Social Security’s online Disability Appeal form. This one online form is the most reliable and fastest method. Paper appeals take more time to process and can even be lost.

Appeal on paper

Can’t do this online? Get the three paper forms and print them out. Or contact your local Social Security office for paper copies.

These are the three forms you need to appeal on paper:

• The Request for Reconsideration form (when you appeal, you are asking Social Security to reconsider their decision) or the Request for Reconsideration – Disability Cessation Right to Appear form if you had SSI or SSDI benefits before
• The Disability Report – Appeal
• The Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration

The “Disability Report” section can take a while to fill out. This is where Social Security asks about your medical conditions and treatments, and how they affect your daily life.

Need help with the forms?

Some community agencies may be able to help you fill out these appeal forms. They include VABIR, Age Well, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Vermont’s community action agencies and people such as social workers, case managers and Reach Up workers.

Include your supporting documents

Do you have supporting documents for your appeal? For example, you may have a letter from your doctor about why you can’t work. Or you may have evidence of when you stopped working.

If you will submit your appeal online, scan these documents into PDF or TIFF format so you can upload them with your appeal. Or use the online appeals site to print out a cover sheet to mail, fax or drop them off to your local Social Security office.

If you can’t submit your appeal online, have copies of the documents ready to mail, fax, or hand in with your appeal forms. Don’t send original documents; keep them for your files.

Tip: Whenever you file a document with the Social Security Administration, keep a copy for yourself. Note when and where you filed it.

• If you file it online, print out a confirmation email or confirmation screen.
• If you mail it, note the date it was sent and get a receipt if possible. Call and confirm that it has been received. Note the date and the name of the person you speak with.
• If you fax it, use a machine that gives you a “transmission report” which is proof that you sent it.
• If you drop it off at the nearest Social Security office, ask for a date stamped copy of what you give them.

Do you want a representative?

If you want to have someone else speak to Social Security on your behalf about your case, include a signed Appointment of Representative form with your appeal.

A representative can be a lawyer, a paralegal, or another person like a trusted friend or relative. Choose someone you trust with important paperwork and deadlines, and who will keep your information confidential.

Submit your appeal

Once you have checked your answers, you are ready to submit your appeal.

Submit online

If you are appealing online, you will be given one more chance to review your answers, then upload any supporting documents. Check everything one more time and submit.

After you submit, the appeal page will give you a printable receipt. Print it out and/or save a screenshot. This is proof of when you completed your appeal.

Submit paper forms

If you fill out paper appeal forms, there are a few options to submit your appeal to the local Social Security office:

• Faxing is a good option because you will usually get a confirmation sheet showing when you submitted your appeal.

• If you can’t fax, you can mail your documents. Send them “certified mail-return receipt requested” if possible so that you get a receipt that Social Security got the mailing.
• You can also hand-deliver your appeal to a Social Security office in Burlington, Rutland or Montpelier. Ask for a receipt.

Note: During the COVID-19 crisis, Social Security offices need advance notice and an appointment if you will be walking in to deliver documents. Call your local Social Security office for an appointment.

No matter how you submit your appeal, always be sure to call your local Social Security office and confirm your appeal has been received.