A denial is not the end — it’s the start of the appeals process where many claims are won. But the clock is ticking.
First: don’t panic, and don’t start over
Most initial claims are denied. The worst thing you can do is file a brand-new application instead of appealing — you lose your original filing date and any back pay tied to it. Appeal the existing claim.
You have 60 days
From the date on your denial letter you have 60 days (plus 5 for mailing) to request the next step. Miss it and you may have to start over entirely. Calendar this the day the letter arrives.
Denied or unsure where to start? A free case review takes minutes and there’s no fee unless we win.
Request your free case review →The appeals ladder
Reconsideration (a fresh review by DDS), then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, then the Appeals Council, then federal court. Approval odds rise sharply at the hearing level — which is exactly why representation matters there.
Why claims get denied
Insufficient medical evidence, earning over the substantial-gainful-activity limit, gaps in treatment, or a technical eligibility issue. A good representative reads the denial to find the real reason and fixes it on appeal.
Get help before the hearing
The hearing is your best chance. Bring someone who knows the judges, the vocational-expert testimony, and how to build the medical record. No fee unless you win.
Talk to a Tennessee disability lawyer — free
No fee unless we win. We respond within 2 business hours.