Social Security Appeals
Guiding You Every Step of the Way
Social Security Appeal Attorney in Orlando
Representing Denied Claimants in Orange and Seminole Counties Since 2004
A denial from the Social Security Administration isn’t the end of the road. Claimants have the right to appeal at multiple stages, and the right attorney at each step can make a real difference. Sherris Legal, P.A. has represented individuals pursuing Social Security disability benefits in Orlando, serving Orange and Seminole Counties, since 2004. Our firm is led by siblings Mary and Jim Sherris, who bring genuine personal attention to every case. We serve clients in both English and Spanish.
The SSA denies roughly two-thirds of initial SSDI applications. For many deserving claimants, appealing isn’t the exception. It’s the necessary next step. Claimants generally have 60 days from receipt of a denial notice to request the next level of review, so acting promptly matters.
If your disability claim has been denied, call our Orlando office at (407) 598-6035 or contact us online. Mary and Jim Sherris can review your denial and walk you through your options.
Why Orlando Claimants Choose Sherris Legal, P.A.
Large, multi-location disability firms process volume. We don’t work that way. As a family-led firm, Mary and Jim Sherris are directly involved in every Social Security disability case we handle, which means you know who is working on your case and can reach them when you have questions.
We handle Social Security disability representation on a contingency basis: no attorney fee unless we win your case. That arrangement reflects our commitment to standing beside clients who are already under financial pressure, not adding to it. Bilingual services in English and Spanish are available to every client, and we treat each person as an individual, never a case number.
The Four Stages of a Social Security Appeal
The SSA appeals process has four distinct levels. Understanding each stage helps claimants know what to expect and why missing a deadline at any point can force them to restart the application entirely.
Stage 1: Reconsideration
A different SSA examiner, not the one who handled the initial claim, reviews the file from the beginning. Claimants may submit new medical records or other supporting documentation at this stage. The request must be filed within 60 days of receiving the denial notice.
Stage 2: Administrative Law Judge Hearing
If reconsideration is denied, the claimant can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The claimant testifies, presents medical and sometimes vocational evidence, and the judge evaluates the full record. Many successful appeals are decided at this stage, which is why preparation matters so much here.
Stage 3: Appeals Council Review
The Appeals Council reviews the ALJ’s decision for legal or procedural error. It can send the case back to the ALJ for a new hearing or decide the case independently. Not every request for review is granted, but this stage remains an important option when the ALJ decision contains a clear legal mistake.
Stage 4: Federal District Court
If all administrative options have been exhausted, a claimant may file a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which covers Orlando. Federal court review examines whether the SSA’s decision was supported by substantial evidence and whether proper legal standards were applied.
At most stages, updated medical records and additional supporting evidence can be submitted. Missing the 60-day window at any level may result in dismissal and could require starting the entire application process over.
Why Social Security Claims Are Denied
Understanding the reason for a denial is the first step in building a stronger appeal. Denials generally fall into two categories.
Technical Denials These occur before the SSA even evaluates medical evidence. A technical denial often stems from an error or omission on the application itself, such as a missing work history or an issue with the earnings record needed to establish work credits for SSDI eligibility.
Medical Denials These occur when the SSA determines that the applicant’s condition doesn’t meet the required severity threshold, or that the medical documentation on file isn’t sufficient to support the claim. The SSA requires a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death that prevents the claimant from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
Refiling a new application after a denial typically produces a second denial for the same reasons. The appeal process is the right path forward because it addresses the specific basis for the original denial directly. We can review the denial notice, pinpoint what the SSA found lacking, and identify what evidence or arguments are needed to address it.
How We Handle Your Social Security Appeal in Orlando
When you work with Sherris Legal, P.A., we start by reviewing your denial notice and your initial application in full. The denial letter states the specific reason the SSA rejected the claim, and that reason drives every decision we make about what to add, correct, or argue on appeal.
Denial review: We analyze the denial notice to identify errors, missing information, and unaddressed medical evidence.
Record gathering: We coordinate with treating physicians to obtain updated medical records and documentation that supports the full extent of your condition.
ALJ hearing preparation: We prepare you for what to expect in the hearing room, review your medical history with you, and anticipate the questions the judge is likely to raise.
Paperwork and deadlines: We handle all SSA filings, correspondence, and deadline tracking on your behalf so nothing falls through the cracks.
Full-stage representation: We can represent you from reconsideration through federal court if necessary, serving clients throughout Orange County and Seminole County.
Social Security disability representation at Sherris Legal, P.A. is handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fee unless your case is resolved in your favor.
Talk to Sherris Legal, P.A. About Your Social Security Appeal
A denied claim is a starting point, not a final answer. If you’ve received a denial notice from the SSA, the clock is already running on your 60-day window to respond. We represent English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout Orlando, Orange County, and Seminole County, and we’re ready to review what happened and outline what comes next.
Call Sherris Legal, P.A. today at (407) 598-6035 or reach us through our online contact form to speak with Mary or Jim Sherris about your Social Security appeal.
What to Do After Receiving a Social Security Denial Notice
The denial letter you receive from the SSA is more than a rejection. It’s a roadmap. The letter identifies the specific reason your claim was denied, whether that’s a technical issue with your application or a medical determination, and it states your deadline to request the next stage of review. That reason also shapes your appeal strategy: a denial based on insufficient medical evidence calls for a different approach than one rooted in a technical eligibility issue. Reading the letter carefully and acting on it quickly are both essential.
Claimants have 60 days from the date they receive the denial notice, plus a five-day allowance for mail delivery, to file a request for the next level of appeal. Missing that window may mean losing the ability to appeal the decision entirely and having to begin a new application from scratch.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits
The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. That standard applies to both SSDI and SSI, though the two programs differ in their eligibility requirements beyond the medical definition.
SSDI is based on work history. To qualify, a claimant must have earned enough work credits through prior employment and Social Security tax contributions. SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources, including those with little or no work history.
The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the Blue Book, which identifies conditions generally recognized as qualifying disabilities. A condition that doesn’t appear on that list can still qualify if the medical evidence demonstrates it is severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity. Many denied claims involve conditions that could qualify with stronger or more complete documentation. That’s precisely where the appeal process creates an opportunity to present a fuller picture.
